James H. Carleton to E. A. Rigg, April 17, 1862

Maj. E. A. RIGG, Commanding at Fort Yuma, Cal.:

MAJOR: Apply to Major Drum to replace Assistant Surgeon Meacham, reported sick, as judge-advocate general court-martial, ordered to convene at your post. Your court, to get through in time, should by all means sit without reference to hours; see article 15 of the Rules and Articles of War. Get Major Drum to grant the authority, if possible; if not, sit from 8 till 3. * As soon as Shirland’s cavalry comes, have him cross the river and move on to report to West with the least practicable delay. Give him all the information about grass, We., in your power, and caution him to be on the qui vive, or he will have his horses stampeded. Have his mules and horses shod, so as to have as little delay as possible. His horses and mules otherwise will consume

64 R R—VOL L, PT 1 too much of your forage. As soon as Captain Roberts’ company gets to Fort Yuma, detack Dresher’s and Cox’s companies to report to West at the Pima Villages. Shirland has three teams with him. Enjoin the greatest care of the mules. See to them and to the wagons and harness yourself. I am, major,

very respectfully,