Justus Steinberger, June 19, 1862

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

SIR: Since my last communication referring to the movement and disposition of troops east of the Cascade Mountains, I have the honor to report that a sarious obstruction now exists to transportation between here and Fort Dalles. The extraordinary flood in the Columbia River has carried away a great portion of the railroad at Cascade Portage, on the Oregon side, destroying as well the bridges, and making otherwise impassable the wagon roads on this side. Meanwhile delay occurs from this cause to the early movement of Oregon cavalry and of the two companies of Washington Territory infantry under Major Rumrill now in readiness to march to Fort Colville. The season is already far advanced, and from the peculiar and lengthened severity of the past winter operations of every description throughout the district have been impeded. Transportation of supppes especially has been in every direction retarded. To accomplish successfully the designs of the commanding general for the employment of the Oregon cavalry in protective purposes east of Fort Walla Walla, it is eminently important that this regiment should at an early moment be concentrated at that post. Reference has been made in former communications to this necessity, and arrangements have been made in furtherance of the general plans contemplated with the transportation and portage companies to repair the damages to roads, and press forward in advance of all others the supplies and troops required by the Government. The cavalry companies will be sent in advance and at the earliest moment that the transit is practicable. Immediately after assuming command of the district I directed full and complete returns to be made to these headquarters from each post of the property on hand, with the view, among other purposes, to ascertain the amouut of transportation available beyond the ordinary garrison requirements: Adopting the plan heretofore practiced at Fort Walla Walla, and as I am informed contemplated the coming season, there will be insufficiency of animals to fit out the expeditions to the mining country and on the emigrant trail east. On this subject I have directed a full and detailed report from the commanding officer at Fort Walla Walla, whose views when received will be forwarded for the consideration of the commanding general. Fort Colville can provide its own transportation if the route now proposed is adopted, viz, to have the troops and supplies sent by steamer to the mouth of Palouse on Snake River, thence by their own teams. This mode after full investigation I recommend as the quickest, safest, and most economical. All the surplus transportation at the depot will be shipped to Fort Dalles and used with what is not required at this*latter post to convey the subsistence for the cavalry on the march to Fort Walla Walla. Application has recently been made for a detachment of troops at the Warm Springs Indian Reservation. In the change that the large emigration to the whole country east of the Cascade Mountains will “effect in the disposition of troops and the claims for protection, the necessity for compliance with this request is not clear. To provide for such requirements, however, sufficient transportation will either be retained or returned from Fort Walla Walla to send the requisite force and keep it supplied. A large numberof public animals have within the past year been removed from the district, and at Fort Walla Walla especially casualties in the means of transportation have been during the past winter serious and numerous. The posts on this side of the Cascade Mountains will be brought down to the most economical allowance. With our present means it seems to me obviously prudent to provide at once at Fort Walla Walla all the disposable transportation.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,