Joseph R. West to Theo. A. Coult, April 7, 1862

Maj. THEO. A. COULT, Fifth California Volunteer Infantry :

I hereby turn over this command to you. There are four wagons en route for the post from San Pedro loaded with potatoes, &c. Be good enough to have 1,000 pounds of potatoes taken from them and handed to Lieutenant Vestal, acting commissary of subsistence. Require the teams to continue on without delay to Fort Yuma. See that they have ten days’ forage, twelve pounds to the mule, 2,880 pounds. Should they not be able to take that much barley let them draw the deficiency from Lieutenant Qualey, at Carriso Creek. Impress upon the teamsters the necessity of dispatch or my whole command will be retarded.

Wishing you a successful command,

I have the honor to be, very