James H. Carleton to Joseph R. West, August 6, 1862

Col. JOSEPH R. WEST, First California Volunteer Infantry, Commanding Camp:

COLONEL: I have been credibly informed that there are some twenty families of men, women, and children at the Pivo Alto mines, some forty miles from this camp, who are nearly perishing for want of food, the Indians having robbed them of what they had, and the secessionists hav ing captured and appropriated to themselves a train of supplies which was on the way some time since to their relief. You will send Capt E. D. Shirland, First California Volunteer Cavalry, and Lieut. D. C. Vestal, First California Volunteer Infantry, with a sufficient escort of cavalry and infantry, to the Pino Alto mines with some provisions for these starving people. Send them 5 beeves, 600 pounds, more or less, of pemmican, 3,000 pounds of flour, and 1,500 pounds of panoche (Mexican sugar). These provisions will be given to the most needy. If it be not practicable to distribute them all at once, they will be left in the hands of some responsible man for this purpose, proper receipts being taken therefor. I instruct Captain Shirland particularly on these points, and direct him and Lieutenant Vestal to make a joint report on the number and sufferings of the people at Pino Alto, and whether they are strong enough to protect themselves from further harm from the Indians.

respectfully, your obedient servant,