Justus Steinberger, May 17, 1862

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

Str: Lieut. W. B. Hughes, of the Ninth Infantry, having within a few days returned from Fort Walla Walla, and after completing his report “connected with his recent duties at that post, I have retained him at these headquarters as acting assistant adjutant-general. His services will be in this capacity of much value during the operations in this district for the coming few months, and I have respectfully to ask of the commanding general his approval of my order placing him on duty as such. Lieutenant Hughes, from his experience in the staff department while posted east of the Cascade Mountains, and his practical knowledge of much of the country involving the movement of troops the coming summer, will give me valuable “assistance. I find, too, that I will require probably at an early moment the services of an active and well-informed officer in the organization of the volunteer force in this district. His presence at he: adquar ters will provide for a demand, that I doubt not will soon become urgent, for the employment of an officer capable and reliable in the investigations growing out of reported irregularities and abuses now existing. At the present moment, and undoubtedly for some time to come, much valuable service can be secured to the public interest by the employment of a wellinformed and active officer of the Army on the special duty I have referred to, and Í trust the requirements of the department will permit the assignment I have made in this instance.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,