James H. Carleton to Richard C. Drum, U.s. Army, October 22, 1861

Maj. RICHARD C. DRUM, U.S. Army, Assistant Adjutant-General, San Francisco, Cal.: MAJOR: I last evening received a telegram from you in these words: “The troops at Fort Yuma will sail from San Diego as directed on the 1st of November. By order,” «c. The commander of the department, General Wright, is aware that it will be impossible for the troops at Yuma to be relieved and reach San Diego by the 1st proximo, so I conclude the telegram is incorrectly reported here; that the original reads “as directed on the Ist of October.” I have reports of great scarcity of water on the desert. I have sent an express to Colonel West and to Colonel Andrews, with letters in relation to the passage of the desert, copies of which I herewith inclose. Would it not be well to send down, say, ten more teams? This would save the necessity of hiring transportation in all ordinary movements of troops, or for post purposes. The mules could be kept as cheaply here, perhaps, as above, and if they are on hand, and not required in the upper country, I would like to have them, but not if they have to be purchased,

Respectfully, «e.,