James H. Carleton to William McMullen, February 8, 1862

First Infty. California Vols., Comdg. at Camp Latham, Cal. :

CAPTAIN: Have Company A, First Infantry California Volunteers, in

readiness to take the field at an hour’s notice, the men to move in lightmarching order. Order Second Lieutenant Rynerson (if he has accepted his appointment) to temporary duty withit. Lieutenant Whittemore, of Company A, may be temporarily attached to Company K, First Infantry California Volunteers. Order Lieutenant Hammond with Mr. Hanson to report to me. Have your own company, Davis’, and Shirland’s ready for field service; such articles as the officers and men will not want upon the desert have carefully packed and marked, and inventories made of them. Order Captain Shirland with ten picked men to take the two political prisoners, Gilbert and Samuels, now in confinement at Camp Kellogg, to Camp Carleton, starting from Camp Latham at 5 p. m. to-day. The party will not stop in this town or at El Monte. If it be necessary to prevent escape the prisoners will be ironed. They will ride in the ambulance belonging to Camp Wright. Enjoin upon your officers that there is to be prompt obedience, with no discussions about their movements, and no newspaper correspondence. If Captain Willis can start, so as to camp this side of the cienega to-night, with five days’ rations and thirty rounds of ammunition, it will be well. He can then send me an express at what time he can reach Los Angeles. If by 10 a. m. to-morrow, with the men fresh for a day’s march, so much the better. Some wagons will be here from San Pedro by that time, so that those with which he may start from Camp Latham can return to you. We will now commence seeing what kind of stuff the First Infantry California Volunteers is made of. I shall be very proud if all this is done quietly, and with no fuss or confusion; and above all without other people dreaming of what we are about to do.

very respectfully, your obedient servant,