Justus Steinberger, June 11, 1862

ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL, Headquarters Department of the Pacific, San Francisco, Cal. :

SIR: All the records of the former Department of Oregon up to the 21st January, 1861, and to the time when it was merged into the Department of the Pacific, were ordered to be sent to San Francisco, and I am informed are now at department headquarters. Among them are many reports from officers commanding expeditions to the country east of the Cascade Mountains, and in a district to be occupied during the present summer by the troops of this command, as well as orders directing their movements, Sc. Much valuable information is contained in these records that it will be difficult if not impossible to obtain at the present time here. With the view to secure a correct knowledge of the country along the emigrant trail from Fort Hall to Walla Walla, and the adjacent country, as well as the orders directing their movements, I have the honor respectfully to request that the commanding general will sanction the use temporarily at these headquarters of any reports and orders referred to that will secure the purpose indicated. I have directed the commanding officer at Fort Walla Walla to furnish me with all the information he can collect that may be useful in the movements of troops east of that post for the protection of settlers in the mining country and of the emigration this season to Oregon and Washington Territory; yet I am convinced that the papers and books I refer to will supply data that he cannot procure. If this request is complied with the most reliable and prompt means of transportation will be steamer express.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,