HEADQUARTERS HUMBOLDT MILITARY DISTRICT, March 25, 1862
Fort Humboldt, March 25, 1862.
Captain HEFFERNAN, Commanding Fort Lyon:
SIR: You are directed by the colonel commanding to march with as many men as you can spare on the morning of the 28th of March, instant, for Angel Ranch (Zetner’s), timing your march so as to arrive there precisely at 12m. The object of this movement is to co-operate with detachments from Captains Douglas’ and Akey’s commands, who are to arrive at Angel Ranch at the same hour for the purpose of capturing a band of hostile Indians in that vicinity. As it is intended to take the Indians by surprise, you will use every precaution to prevent their having notice of your approach. On joining the other detachments you will act under the command of Captain Douglas or other senior officer present. You will take with you such an amount of rations and ammunition as you may deem necessary. If it is necessary to hire transportation for your supplies, you are authorized to do so on the best terms in your power. If you deem proper you can send the detachment under the command of a company officer instead of accompanying it yourself.
By order of Colonel Lippitt:
JOHN HANNA, JR., Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
SAN FRANCISCO, CAL., March 26, 1862, Brig. Gen. L. THOMAS, Adjutant- General U. X. Army, Washington City:
Your dispatch of 21st received. I had previously ordered Colonel Cornelius to prepare his regiment, six companies of Oregon cavalry, to move into the Walla Walla country, and thence to the mining districts; and as the season advances to move toward Fort Hall, to protect the emigrants. I conferred with Mr. Crawford on the subject. I can give protection to the Overland Mail Route as far as Salt Lake or Fort
Bridger. I have two companies of cavalry now at Fort Churchill, and I have three companies of cavalry and six of volunteer infantry available and ready to move as soon as the roads are passable. L have an active and reliable colonel of volunteers, well suited for this service. Colonel Carleton is in Southern California, and moving as fast as the miry roads will permit toward Fort Yuma, with his expeditionary forces. He cannot be spared from that command. G. WRIGHT, Brigadier-General, U. S. Army, Commanding.
WELLS, FARGO & Co., EXPRESS AND EXCHANGE COMPANY, San Francisco, March 26, 1862. General WRIGHT, Commanding Department of the Pacific:
DEAR SIR: Your note of this a. m. at hand. I have no advices indicating the necessity of theimmediate movement of troops on to the overland route. In the present condition of the roads you would find great difficulty in moving troops over the Sierras, and an impossibility to haul wagons. The Overland Company expect that troops will be permanently stationed on the mail route for the protection of the mails and treasure, especially the latter. I cannot leave my office to-day, but will call on you to-morrow a. m.
Respectfully, yours, LOUIS McLANE.