James H. Carleton to Davip Fergusson, June 11, 1862

Maj. Davip FERGUSSON, First California Volunteer Cavalry, Chief Commissary :

MAJOR: You will proceed, suitably escorted, to Magdalena in Sonora and ascertain the resources in the way ot forage and subsistence of that part of the country and the prices at which responsible parties are willing to forward supplies and deliver them at this place for the use of the troops under my command. Sugar, flour, beef on the hoof, mutton on the hoof, salt, wheat, corn, barley, &c., are comprised in the list of articles which we require. Make the most favorable arrangement you can for the public interest to deliver to this point by the 30th instant, say, 80,000 or 100,000 pounds of good sweet flour, to be paid for in cash on delivery; and at the same time see what, say, 200 good fat beeves can be delivered for per head at Tucson. Encourage the people of Sonora in every laudable way to bring in for sale to the troops all kinds of subsistence, fruits, forage, &c., and cultivate with them such feelings of kindness and good neighborhood as shall show to them that we are friends who wish to deal honorably and frankly and pay fairly for what we get.

very respectfully, your obedient servant,