Justus Steinberger, June 23, 1862

ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL,

Headquarters Department of the Pacific, San Francisco, Cal.: Sir: [have the honor to report that I have directed the establishment of a temporary depot on Snake River at the mouth of Palouse to facilitate the sending forward to Fort Colville troops and supplies. The ferry-boat on Snake River has been carried away by high water -and communication by wagon trains cut off between Forts Walla Walla and Colville. It is found even under ordinary circumstances that to go by steam boat to the mouth of Palouse River, thence to Fort Colville is much the shortest and most economical route. At this time it is the only practicable one. The commanding officer at Fort Walla Walla has been instructed to have a reliable agent employed and sent to the point mentioned with the necessary material for a temporary depot, and will go out with the transportation furnished from that post for the march of Major Rumrill’s command to Fort Colville and bring down Major Curtis in return. By an arrangement with the navigation company the teams will be ferried across Snake River by the steam-boat taking up the troops. The supplies for Fort Colville will be pressed forward at once to the depot, the commanding officer at that post having been directed to send down to that point his trains for the land transportation. By*an approximate estimate made from information collected here it is expected that not over two months will be required to have all the supplies for Fort Colville on the road, when the depot will be broken up. Information has not been received either here or at Fort Walla Walla of any arrangements already made for the forwarding of supplies to Colville, and in view of the urgent necessity of immediate action in the matter I trust the commanding general will approve the course taken.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,