Joseph R. West to First Cavalry California Volunteers, January 24, 1862

Lieut. Col. E. E, EYRE, First Cavalry California Volunteers, Commanding Camp Carleton, San Bernardino, Cal.:

I have your letter of 22d instant with reference to the scarcity of forage in your vicinity. Should no other recourse suggest itself to you in the meantime, on receipt of this you will break up Camp Carleton and move with your command to Camp Latham, taking whatever road your experience of the country may indicate as most likely to afford forage en route. I understand that there is (or was) barley at Cocomungo owned by one Dunlap; also at Chino Rancho by Robert Carlisle. Nearer this way, at Rancho San José, it is possible a supply can be obtained. Pending your movement send Mr. Coleman or a trusty officer in advance to procure what you need*and prevent any extortionate prices being charged. You will not fail to remember other considerations on your march. Wood is indispensable, and the very wet condition of the country generally should remind you to select the road where transportation will be as easy as possible and good camps can be secured. Beef can be had anywhere, and on that score you should have no trouble. You will have to load your train very light; perhaps it would be imprudent to load more than 1,000 pounds to the wagon. You can therefore dispose of your property as follows: Take with you only such articles of camp and garrison equipage, including tents, as are indispensably necessary. Store the balance safely and as economically as possible, Take all the subsistence with you that your train can haul, irrespective of what you may expect to meet on the road, as you may find yourself hemmed in by water and be unable to reach Camp Latham. In the reduction of your subsistence supplies, as suggested below, be sure and keep fifteen days rations at your command; that is, if you take five days’ with you, leave ten days’ in store at San Bernardino to be sent back for in case of necessity. Should you leave property of much value at San Bernardino, detach a trusty non-commissioned officer and leave him there in charge of it. If you have on hand more than the fifteen days’ rations above specified, and still have an excess after relieving such distressed persons in your vicinity as you may deem worthy of it, you may dispose of the surplus, provided cost and transportation can be obtained for it, otherwise store it as directed for other property. I have two-fold object in this. It may be desirable for the people of San Bernardino to have an opportunity of purchasing provisions in their present strait, and to realize upon any surplus will at least save the Government the risks and expenses incident to storage. Allow no sales or contracts involving expense to be made without your own sanction. I have given the foregoing instructions in entire ignorance of either the amount of subsistence you have on hand or the means of transportation at your command. Should they be impracticable you will take such steps for the safety of your men, the animals, and the property in your charge as your judgment may dictate. Apprise me without delay of what you propose and can do, and keep me constantly advised of your movements.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,