H. Lee to George Wright, January 28, 1862

Brig. Gen. GEORGE WRIGHT, Commanding Department of the Pacific, San Francisco : GENERAL: In compliance with General Orders, No. 30, of the Department of the Pacific, respecting the military resources of the counties in the vicinity of posts remote from headquarters, I have the honor to submit the following report: I have made careful investigation of the present and future ability of this portion of the country to furnish such supplies as are needed at this post, both in the subsistence and quartermaster’s departments, and find that there are no supplies on hand by any of the farmers or dealers in this section of the country. Allof the grain that was grown last year is now or will be by spring consumed. Flour is worth now $20 per barrel; oats from 6 to 7 cents, and very scarce; hay none on hand; barley not to be had; bacon 30 cents per pound, none on hand, and very little being made; lard equally scarce; beef 15 cents per pound, and none in the country fit to eat; beans none to be had at any price; potatoes $1 per bushel, and difficult to obtain, very few in the country; wood $30 per cord. I deem it unnecessary to run through the list of articles consumed in the commissary and quartermaster’s departments, as the Government cannot rely upon this country for its supplies at this post. The hay and grain used in the quartermaster’s department can be contracted for for another year at fair prices. The large amount of snow that has fallen this winter and is now lying upon the ground will doubtless make the coming season quite productive. All articles coming under the head of groceries can be sent here much cheaper than they can be purchased. My commissary purchased a little coffee a few days since at 37 cents per pound. We shall need supplies in both departments by the 1st of April next. Requisitions have been made on the several departments for supplies, and will probably reach here as soon as navigation opens. The unprecedented severity of the winter and the influx of strangers has destroyed and consumed nearly everything in the country. Nearly all the cattle have or will die before spring. Many men who had at the beginning of winter from 300 to 400 head have not now over fifty or sixty living. Fresh meat must be very scarce herein spring. The beef consumed by the garrison at this time would not be eaten by the poorer class of San Francisco. It must be worse in a month from this time, and I doubt very much if it can be had at all.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,