John W. Davidson to Don Carlos Buell, August 10, 1861

Maj. D. C. BUELL, Assistant Adjutant-General, Department of the Pacific: MAJOR: I have the honor to inclose the within communications just put in my hands by Major Carleton. 1 have proposed to the prominent

Union men here (General Drown, Abel Stearns, and others) the formation of a home guard for the town and county of Los Angeles. They respond to the suggestion promptly, and I have promised as soon as they have 100 names enrolled to write to the general and ask for as many stand of arms and ammunition as there are sound Union men. I think the move will have a beneficial effect. I would to God the Union men would hold up their heads more here. I beg the general to believe that with regard to the inclosed subject I will be wary and circumspect, and if prompt action is required on overt acts I will be quick as the occasion. As the camp is three-quarters of a mile from where the depot is, I have ordered an officer and twenty-five men to guard the latter nightly, particularly from fire. Should one or two companies be required to lend aid to those companies probably to be sent to San Bernardino, the home guard could be relied upon to take their places in event of difficulty. I am, sir,

your obedient servant,