Joseph R. West to B. C. Cutler, March 16, 1862

Lieut. B. C. CUTLER, I have the honor to report the receipt of a letter (no date) from Maj. E. A. Rigg, First Infantry California Volunteers, commanding at Fort Yuma, in which, after referring to certain movements of the enemy which he has no doubt communicated to the colonel commanding the district, he says: “I wish you would forward on without delay Captain Mead’s company of cavalry. I will have barley and rations for them at Indian Well on the 16th instant, four days from this post, to meet his command. What I now require is cavalry.” The Colonel commanding will not fail to notice that this must have been written after Major Rigg was apprised that the balance of Company A, First Cavalry California Volunteers, was en route to his post. 1 have kept here the ambulance and three of the teams that accompanied the battalion under Major Coult, the first presuming that it was intended to remain here and the teams until the three belonging to this post return from San Diego, in case I should be required to re-enforce Fort Yuma at short notice.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,