James H. Carleton to Edwin A. Rigg, November 4, 1861

Maj. EDWIN A. RIGG, Commanding at Camp Wright, Cal. :

MAJOR: I have received your note of the 28th ultimo. If any party of the size and character described attempt to pass you, stop it, search the persons and baggage if you suspect them of being enemies of our country, and cause them to take the oath of allegiance to our Government. If you find upon them evidence of their being disloyal, or of their giving aid and comfort to the enemy, hold them in confinement and report all the facts and all the evidence in each case tome. You will not buy one dollar’s worth of any kind of property of Mr. Carrillo, or the people he sold his barley and hay to. Nor will you pay over 23 cents for barley. If you cannot get hay for less than $40 I will send it from San Francisco. Buy your beef from him who will sell it cheapest. Make no bargains for beef for a longer time than a month, nor buy over a fortnight’s supply of barley or hay. Buy nothing from any person who wishes to raise on his prices, the ordinary rates, because of the presence of thetroops. We can get all we want cheap from above, and if worse comes to worst will move the troops before we will suffer imposition. Buy nothing of Ramon Carrillo, since he has acted the way he has. You must make no contracts without my approval first obtained, when I have seen the written contract, unless it be for daily use, * Not found.

until you can hear from me. I have sent 10,000 rounds of ammunition to you at San Diego by the Senator last night. Have it got at once. I have written to have stoves sent to you. 1 will soon send you some cavalry, say a lieutenant, a sergeant, a corporal, and twenty-five men, starting to-morrow or next day. Try and have shelter for the horses. The horses must be kept in fine condition if you have the hard service you anticipate for cavalry. Mr. Showalter and men of that stripe must be searched for expected evidences of treason, and at all events they must take the oath of allegiance besides. If they refuse, hold them securely and report all the facts in the case, as I have before written. We have had enough of the bullying and treason of such men. If Judge Terry tries to pass, he must go through the same ordeal. There must be no child’s play with him. Keep your own counsel; act with great circumspection, but with firmness. Put yourself in en rapport with the Indians. They will give you much valuable information of little parties attempting te dodge by you. I have sent you a forge, muleshoes, nails, tools, and some clothing. You can now put everything in service order and keep it so. Be ready at a moments notice to move on to the help of West. Your position is such at this critical juncture that you must keep up a sleepless vigilance. Have your command in fighting order all the time, night or day. Keep me advised of all you do. Much is expected of you and all your command, officers and men. Drill, drill, drill, until your men become perfect as soldiers, as skirmishers, as marksmen. Keep the command in good health. Look after the messing every day yourself, and be sure the police and cleanliness of camp is perfect. l am, major,

very respectfully, your obedient servant,