J. M. Monulty to James H. Carleton, November 5, 1861

Col. J. H. CARLETON, Commanding First Infantry California Volunteers : SIR: Linclose you extracts from a letter received by me from Assistant Surgeon Randle in reference to the climate at Camp Wright, near Warner’s ranch. Major Rigg requests me to state to Colonel Carleton through you, my opinion as to the propriety or impropriety of this command remaining at its present position. It is my professional and official opinion that the command under Major Rigg ought to be removed from this place as speedily as possible, for the following reasons: First. The wind blows here a perfect gale (not a moderate breeze) more than half the time, driving the dust in clouds, and blinding the eyes of every one, and infiltrating into every coffee pot, camp kettle, water bucket, &c. This has been the day of general muster, and Major Rigg has pertinaciously and punctiliously discharged all his duties, and the men have turned out with commendable zeal, notwithstanding the gusts of wind and dust have prevented anything like cooking in camp. The wind has blown so hard that a fire could not be made, and this is no unusual occurrence. Second. We are four miles from fire-wood, which is cotton wood when we get it. Third. The water here is strongly impregnated with alkali, Fourth. The weather is very cold now, and growing colder. Snow falls here a foot deep frequently in winter, and sometimes remains a week on the ground. The above extract contains everything touching the climate at Warner’s ranch.

J. M. MONULTY,