James H. Carleton to First Cavalry California Volunteers, February 20, 1862

Maj. DAVID FERGUSSON, First Cavalry California Volunteers, Comdy. at Camp Carleton, near San Bernardino, Cal. : MAJOR: I have received your letter of the 18th instant (with its inclosures) in relation to a man in your neighborhood named Samuel Kelsey, of whom it is alleged that he is a secessionist and an active enemy of the Government of the United States. Question the parties who make these statements very closely, and if you are then satisfied that they make them solely on the merits of the case, and to subserve no sinister ends and to gratify no private piques or personal animosities, then arrest and hold securely until further orders the said Samuel Kelsey. Should a writ of habeas corpus be served upon you to show cause why you hold him you will return upon that writ that you hold him by my order. But under no circumstances must you obey said writ until the general commanding the department has decidec apon the case, You must be aware that you are surrounded by a nes’ of designing men, and it will be well to be on your guard against being imposed upon or against your credulity being taxed too far by one party as against another. You are at liberty to send Captain Fritz with thirty good men over to Lane’s on the Mojave to arrest the secessionists reported as being in that neighborhood. Let him take eight days’ rations of subsistence. He can doubtless get barley and hay of Lane. Give him sealed orders, not to be opened until he gets to Lane’s. In these instruct him very carefully what to do. He is not at all reticent. His men need only know they are to march. Unless you take these precautions, and send the party by night, runners will carry intelligence of your movements by trails across the mountains iùn advance of the party. Issue more hay and less barley to your horses until Fritz’s return. Then report to me what your prospects for forage are. I am, major,

very respectfully, your obedient servant,