James H. Carleton to R. C. Drum, May 10, 1862

Maj. R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant-General, U. S. Army, San Francisco, Cal. :

MAJOR: I inclose herewith certified copies of letters just received from Lieutenant-Colonel West, dated respectively May 4, May 5, and May 6, 1862. By these you will see how matters are progressing at the Pima Villages. In a private letter to myself Colonel West says: “You will recollect your request for 5,000 pounds of Indian presents, which was declined. If it is not too late to get the same goods now as property they would be of great service. Placed in charge of the depot party here I believe they would work wonders.” If the general will have those goods forwarded even now they will be a great saving of money in the purchase of grain and flour at the sub depot for the use of the troops stationed there, for the use of trains coming with supplies, and to be forwarded if necessary. If necessary these goods can be receipted for and expended as money. It is doubtful if any troops are coming from the Kio Grande to make a stand against us in Arizoua. I am forwarding supplies as fast as possible to the sub-depot, and when I have got enough in front to justify it I shall without delay make still another stride onward. It is said the rainy season in Arizona commences about the 24thof June. Until then it is impossible to cross a large command, so I hear, from Tueson to the Rio Grande, a distance of 300 miles. It will not do, for obvious reasons, to arrive on that river by small detachments. The general may rely upon it that all justifiable risks will be taken. I hear that nine Americans have just been murdered at Lally’s mine in Arizona. I hope to be clothed with powers to regulate all matters in that Territory. Of course I shall take upon myself all necessary responsibility to give order and safety of life and property in that chaotic country. lam having the road up the Gila to Fort Breckinridge reconnoitered, and shall soon occupy that post. You may know that before the rebellion, Fort Breckinridge was to be a six-company post. It was commenced at a site near the junction of the Aravaypa and San

“See West to Cutler, May 4, 5, and 6, pp. 1050, 1052, 1054.

Pedro, the best point for a post in Arizona. The adobe walls of many buildings were made, and some were roofed over. These may be in good preservation. I would recommend that this fort, with a change of name, be reoccupied. The grazing in the valley of the San Pedro, the year round, is reported as being very fine. Aside from its being one of the posts on the chain of communication from California to the Rio Grande, it is a fine place for weak and broken-down animals to recruit. I am, major,

very respectfully,