James H. Carleton to First California Volunteer Infantry, February 8, 1862

First California Volunteer Infantry, Commanding at Camp Wright, Cal.: A COLONEL: If you can get good grazing and fuel and water nearer lemecula, or even at the latter place, than you have at Oak Grove, you

are authorized to remove Camp Wright to that point. The few miles lost in a military sense can soon be recovered. Exercise a sound discretion about supplying your command with barley. The grazing is now so good you will hardly need purchase much hay. The garrison of Camp Wright will be increased. What you lack of provisions or other stores I must at once be informed about. I shall take care that troops which are to join you have provisions enough to last them for some days, to give them time to make known additional wants. Gather up the raveled ends all around youand get your force in fighting trim. I have every confidence in your forecast. As soon as I can do so I will write you more fully. Stop all newspaper writers in your camp from commenting on the movement of troops in this district. Quiet, implicit, and prompt obedience to orders must take the place of so much of this debating society system now in vogue.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,