George Wright to Thomas R. Cornelius, April 9, 1862

Col. THOMAS R. CORNELIUS, First Regiment Oregon Cavalry, Portland, Oreg. : COLONEL: Lieut. Col. E. B. Babbitt, deputy quartermaster-general, has submitted to me a communication received by him from Lieut. D. W. Porter, your regimental quartermaster, dated on the 2d instant. I will

Clerks are not allowed for any staff officers in this department without my previous sanction. I hope, colonel, that you will take immediate steps to arrest all these irregularities; if permitted to go on a moment longer it will be injurious to your regiment in the highest degree. I understand that an unusual number of men enrolled in your companies have been discharged at Fort Vancouver, for various causes, Too much care cannot be bestowed on the examination of men presenting themselves for enlistment. The examining surgeon and recruiting officer should assure themselves that a man is perfectly sound, free from disease, able-bodied, sober, and of good character and habits, before passing him; aneglect of this positive duty subjects those officers not only to a pecuniary loss in refunding to the Goverment all the expenses of rejected men, but they are also amenable to trial by a general court-martial; all men desirous of joining the Army should, in every case, be entirely stripped of their clothing and critically examined by the surgeon and recruiting officer together at the same time. The man’s declaration as to his soundness will not be taken. Bear in mind that your adjutant and regimental quartermaster must be lieutenants in some company of your regiment; you are not allowed extra lieutenants for those positions. As your regiment has been reduced for the present to six companies, no more field officers will be appointed. If, under the authority of the War Department, all the field officers allowed for a regiment have been appointed, you can retain them until orders shall be received from the Secretary of War on the subject; but, in the meantime, should vacancies occur they will not be filled.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,