Joseph R. West to Benjamin C. Cutler, April 5, 1862

A a a! Lieut. BEN. C. CUTLER,

LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of instructions from the colonel commanding the district, of date 31st ultimo and Ist instant, relating to a forward movement. As soon as the train of thirty wagons arrives from New San Pedro I shall push on without delay. The clothing, subsistence, and forage are all ready to be loaded upon the train on the same night of their arrival, and the command will march the next morning. Instructions will be left for Lieutenant-Colonel Eyre, should he not arrive in the meantime. In crossing the desert to Fort Yuma I shall keep the command together as much as the supply of water will permit. I inclose a requisition for articles of indispensable necessity, and request that they be forwarded by some speedy means to overtake me. There are picks, but no handles, and not a single long-handled shovel here. The scythes are much required. There are but seventy-two water kegs on hand; all that have yet been received. Two storm flags were received to-day from San Diego, invoiced as worthless, and utterly so. I desire to be informed by what title the post I am instructed to establish shall be designated. All trains arriving here have been heretofore either promptly returned or dispatched. Two arrived from San Diego last evening and returned this morning. Those that Captain Smith brought only remained over night. Captain Thayer’s and the manta teams will be returned without delay. But two teams have been kept at this post during the last fortnight. The officer to whom I turn over will receive instructions not to increase the number.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,