Justus Steinberger, May 14, 1862

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

SIR: Since my communication of the 12th instant I have ascertained that there is at the quartermaster’s depot at this post cavalry clothing enough for the partial equipment of two companies. To expedite as far as possible the movement of these troops, I have directed the company of Oregon cavalry now at Salem, under Captain Harding, and the detachment of fifty-eight men under Captain Currey, to move to this post. The latter fraction of a company will be merged with a portion of the detachment under Captain Kelly, now here, and the organization of Captain Currey’s company completed. I propose to have these two companies inspected and inustered into service immediately, and with the clothing referred to, equipped as far as possible. At the earliest practicable moment Colonel Cornelius with his surgeon, regimental adjutant, and quartermaster and these two companies will be “sent to Fort Walla Walla. From the best information I can get it will be impossible for troops to cross the Cascade Mountains before the middle of July, and to wait until that time to move Colonel Cornelius’ command would prevent their becoming available at the moment when they will be most needed. I am the more immediately urged to prepare the two companies of this regiment for early departure to Fort Walla Walla from the reports, official and otherwise, of the complete disorganization of the troops now there and the extreme jeopardy of public property. Captain Dent, who carries this, will report to you the urgent necessity of some prompt measures to correct abuses of vital interest to the public service at that post. The acting assistant quartermaster is inefficient and incapable of the important trust involved, and the report is reliable and direct that the medical officer is incapacitated from habitual drunkenness. I do not, to be sure, look for much valuable addition to the military strength of the post for the present from these two advance companies of the Oregon cavalry, for they will undoubtedly be very raw troops; but I have much confidence in the rectitude of purpose and integrity of Colonel Cornelius, and in the capability and character of. Surgeon Watkins. The regimental quartermaster, who will also be ordered to Fort Walla Walla with the colonel and his command, bears the character of an active and efficient officer, thoroughly acquainted with his duties. Another important consideration prompts this early movement. I only know from rumors, tis true, but frequent and reliable accounts represent the expensive and extravagant support of Harding’s and Currey’s companies where they

68 R R—VOL L, PT 1 now are. At present I have no control over them, and cannot direct their economy. As soon as they are here they will be placed under proper restraints and must submit to the usages of service. Besides, it is of much importance that these troops are properly posted and the effort made to discipline and drill them. The indications now are that they will be needed, and unless prompt measures are taken to get them east of the Cascade Mountains they will be useless for any active operations this summer. I cannot wait for Colonel Cornelius to put his whole command into position at one camp near Oregon City as he proposes, and then organize the whole body together by taking from one company and adding to another, consulting his captains and deferring to their interests and wishes. This will be done for him. If his returns are correct there will be no difficulty. He has enough enlisted men for six companies, and after he has marched toward Fort Walla Walla to accomplish, as I hope, a pressing demand of the public interest, his field officers under directions can organize the balance of his regiment. I trust that the commanding general will approve my action in directing the issue of such articles of cavalry equipment now here as will be required for the two companies referred to.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,