James H. Carleton to R. W. Kirkham, April 21, 1862

Capt. R. W. KIRKHAM, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, San Francisco, Cal. :

CAPTAIN: Owing to the ill health of Assistant Surgeon Meacham, U.S. Army, I shall be obliged to have Doctor Wooster in advance of Fort Yuma. Brigade Surgeon Christian will be at Fort Yuma, and very properly, as it is an important point. A citizen physician can be employed to attend the sick at Camp Latham, but, as there is so large a quantity of medicines and hospital stores accumulated there from the various posts and camps broken up and to be broken up, I have thought it best for the service to have these supplies sent to the purveyor to be used in other districts. There are large amounts of flour, pork, and other subsistence stores at New San Diego. I have sent there and withdrawn a good supply of sugar, coffee, rice, and tea for the expedition. These small stores can be taken to the front to help make up the ration where meat and bread can be bought. The stores at San Diego, except a year’s supply for one company which is to garrison that post, I would respectfully recommend to be sent to the depot at New San Pedro for the garrison at Camp Latham by the Senator; or, if necessary, shipped farther north, so that they may be consumed before they deteriorate. I have established, as you see by the inclosed order, a chain of vedettes to bring and to carry information. Whilethey will exercise surveillance upon the route, and in some places guard sub-depots of supplies necessarily deposited here and there upon the road, they will keep me informed of all that transpires in my rear; all that relates to the approach of supplies, and keep me in open communication with the general. This will be done with no increased expense, at least none of importance. All of which is

respectfully submitted for the generals consideration