R. C. Drum, October 2, 1861

No. 23. San Francisco, October 2, 1861.

In compliance with instructions received from the General-in-Chief, the following movements of regular troops in this department are ordered, preparatory to their sailing for New York:

1. The garrison of each of the several posts in the District of Oregon will, upon being relieved by volunteer troops, proceed to Fort Vancouver, from whence they will be sent to this city. The horses and horse equipments belonging to the company of cavalry at The Dalles will be turned over to the company of Oregon volunteers; the horses and equipments pertaining to other companies of cavalry in the district will be brought to this city.

2. The troops serving in the District of Southern California will, with the exception of those stationed at Fort Yuma and New San Diego, be in readiness to concentrate at San Pedro. When relieved by volunteers, the companies at Fort Yuma will unite with that at New San Diego.

3. The garrisons of Forts Churchill, Humboldt, Bragg, Crook, Gaston, Umpqua, and Ter-Waw will be relieved by volunteer troops. When relieved, the companies of the Sixth Regiment of Infantry at these posts will repair to Benicia Barracks, and those of the Fourth Infantry and First Cavalry to this city. The horses, with their equipments, pertaining to companies of the First Cavalry at Forts Churchill and Crook will be brought to this city.

4. The headquarters, and Companies O, H, I, and L of the Third Regiment of Artillery, will be in readiness to sail at a moment’s notice.

The horses, harness, &c., pertaining to Company C will be turned over to the quartermaster’s department, and the field battery and ordnance stores to the ordnance department. j

5. Lieutenant-Colonel Merchant will at once transfer from Companies D, H, I, and L of his regiment a sufficient number of privates to make an ageregate of ninety for each of those companies selected to remain on this coast.

6. Paragraph 1, of Special Orders, No. 165, is revoked. Company L, Third Artillery, will immediately proceed to the Presidio of San Francisco. i

7. The troops directed above to repair to this city, will, upon their arrival, receive further instructions.

By order of Brigadier-General Sumner:

k. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant-General.

San Francisco, Cal., October 4, 1861. Col. BENJAMIN L. BEALL, First Cavalry, Commanding District of Oregon :

Sir: The general commanding the department desires you to inform the acting Governor of Washington Territory that the exigencies of the service will not permit the issue of arms to any other than those mustered into the service of the United States.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,