James H. Carleton to George W. Bowie, May 27, 1862

Commanding District of Southern California, Fort Yuma, Cal. : COLONEL: I find that when I start for the Rio Grande it will not, in my opinion, be necessary for the time being to have over two companies stationed at this post and three in other parts of this Territory; so if Captain Thayer’s company, of your regiment, has not already left Fort Yuma to join me please retain it at that post. If it has left, and is not over three marches up the Gila, I beg you will recall it. Let me impress upon your mind the great importance of having the clothing asked for sent forward with the greatest possible dispatch. The suffering for the want of shoes on the hot deserts will be terrible. Pray urge the general, as well as the depot quartermasters at Camp Drum and Fort Yuma, to admit of no delay in this matter. The weather is getting very hot in this part of the country. The Indians have already commenced to harvest their wheat. h

E olone ry respectfu A AD AMES H. CARLETON,

Colonel First Infantry California Volunteers.

E Not found.

GENERAL ORDERS, ) HDQRS. COLUMN FROM California, Fort Barrett, Pima Villages, Ariz. Ter., No. 3. f May 27, 1862.

I. The chief commissary will give his personal attention to the repair of barrels, boxes, bags, &c., containing subsistence stores, that no waste or damage take place, and that supplies shall be kept ın a state of readiness for immediate transportation. This rule is to be in force at all parts of the column wherever that officer may be,

II. In order to insure that all the savings of the rations issued to the sick in hospitals are devoted to the purpose of procuring such nourishing diet for the patients as may be gotten by exchange or purchase, 16 is hereby made the especial duty of every surgeon and assistant surgeon in this column to give a close attention to this matter, that not an ounce of provisions which properly belong to the sick or to the men in hospitals be wasted, or be deflected from its legitimate use. It is expressly forbidden for officers of the medical department to mess in their hospitals, or to have their meals served from there. Commanding officers will see that this order is duly enforced to the minutest detail.

III. The troops of this column being in a desert country far from the base of operations and source of supply, it ıs hereby made the impera. tive duty of every officer and soldier, and employé of the Government serving with the column, to practice the most rigid economy in the use of every article of ammunition, food, forage, clothing, medical supplies, and quartermaster’s property. Commanders of regiments and companies will personally see that not a round of ammunition is wasted, that no more rations are used than are absolutely necessary, and that they are properly cooked; that the clothing of the men be kept in repair, &c., and for the preservation and repair of public property they are the agents and guardians to look after interests of the Government in this respect as closely as if these interests were their own.

IV. The subsistence department will pay cash at the end of each month for every article of subsistence stores saved in companies during that month.

VI. This order will be copied into all the regimental and company order books, and be read at dress parade for three successive evenings after its receipt.

By order of Colonel Carleton: