Report on measures taken to make secure the Overland Mail Route to to California, April 23, 1862
GENERAL ORDERS, ) HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE PACIFIC,
April 23, 1862.
No. 17. f San Francisco, Cal., April 23, 1862.
The general commanding this department having been appealed to by many loyal citizens residing on the Pacific Coast, for the adoption of more vigorous measures against the treasonable designs of persons who, while claiming and receiving protection for themselves and property, do not blush to denounce the Chief Magistrate and Government of the United States, and do all in their power to raise the standard of rebellion on this coast, it is therefore made the express duty of all officers commanding districts or posts to maintain within their respective jurisdictions a due observance of our National and State laws, and a proper respect for the legally constituted authorities. Treason’s hideous crest shall not pollute the fair land of California. Military commanders will promptly arrest and hold in custody all persons against whom the charge of aiding and abetting the rebellion can be sustained ; and under no circumstances will such persons be released without first subscribing the oath of allegiance to the United States.
All persons seeking to furnish supplies of any kind to the army on this coast must first submit unequivocal evidence of their loyalty to the Government, otherwise their propositions will not be entertained.
The following General Orders of the War Department are republished for general information.* By order of Brigadier-General Wright:
Captain and Assistant Quartermaster, Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen.
Grinnel’s Ranch, April 23, 1862. Lieut. B. C. CUTLER, Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., District of Southern California :
I have the honor to report the arrival of my command (one company of cavalry and four companies of infantry) at this station, five days from Fort Yuma. We proceed to-morrow and should reach the Pimas on the 28th instant. I take with me thirty-six wagons. Two are left here to join Bosha’s, with twelve now en route from Fort Yuma with 11,000 rations subsistence. Then the fourteen will go forward escorted by Lieutenant Nichols, with sixteen men First California Volunteer Cavalry. To carry through my fifty wagons and the cavalry I draw from the 35,000 pounds barley; this half-rations the fifty wagons back to this post. I shall send them back without amoment’s delay. Unless otherwise instructed, I shall send Company I, First California Volunteer Infantry, back to this post. So my orders of March 31 read. The 300 flour-sack coats, 300 pairs of shoes, and the manta were not on the four potato wagons. The latter should be expressed on, if possible. When Bosha’s train gets through I shall have rations for 800 men to June 1.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Lieutenant-Colonel, First Infantry California Volunteers, Comdy.
Report on measures taken to make secure the Overland Mail Route to
California.
ADJUTANT-GENERAL’S OFFICE,
Washington, April 24, 1862.
First. November 13, 1861, Major-General McClellan directed Brigadier-General Wright to order the necessary force, two or three regiments—if possible, under Colonel Carleton—to protect the Overland
Mail Route, and to conter with Louis McLane, esq., about the location
of the troops.