James H. Carleton to R. W. Kirkham, May 8, 1862

Capt. R. W. KIRKHAM, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General: CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that immediately on my arrival at this post, in pursuance to instructions, I determined to dispatch

Lieutenant-Colonel Evans, Second California Cavalry, to Owen’s River to command the troops to chastise the hostile Indians. You will judge of my surprise upon my arrival at Camp Latham to find the soldiers of his command were destitute of everything (nearly) pertaining to a soldier, excepting only commissary stores. Colonel Evans’ command exhibits an aggregate of 204, of which number 114 are reported as duty men. To mount these men scarcely 100 horses are fit for service, a large number of the horses attached to the command having been previously condemned in First Cavalry and turned over to Second. To arm the command there are 114 pistols and only 2,000 pistol cartridges (navy revolvers). The Government has not a single team fit to be used in an expedition of this kind, but I have made arrangements to supply the same by private contract through my quartermaster, subject to be hereafter approved by the Quartermaster-General. Permit me to suggest that a mountain howitzer with the necessary ammunition should accompany the expedition, and that the deficiency in pistol cartridges should be immediately supplied, say 40,000, for neither of the above are to be found at Camp Latham or the depot at San Pedro—in fine, no ammunition of any kind is to be had this side of San Francisco or Benicia. Should my command be ordered forward at an early day 50,000 musket cartridges would not exceed our wants. I deem the force able to be put in the field totally inadequate to the purpose intended, yet I will start so many as can be moved at an early day, believing that the general commanding will concur with me in the necessity of re-enforcing them. I shall send no infantry with the expedition unless so directed, believing that the settlers of the valley will with alacrity supply any deficiency in that particular. In the article of pantaloons and shoes ! have ordered Regimental Quartermaster Williamson to distribute to Second Cavalry any supplies he may have on hand, which will be probably sufficient for the present wants. In the estimate of men above, eighteen men and six non-commissioned officers are to be deducted,

by order of Colonel Carleton, to be distributed along the line