Richd. C. Drum, May 30, 1862

ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL, U. S. Army, San Francisco, Cal. :

SIR: I have the honor respectfully to report that, in compliance with instructions received from the general commanding the department, I proceeded to the District of Southern California, on the steamer leaving this port on the 6th of April. On my arrival at Camp Drum, which is situated half a mile back from the landing, on the main road leading to Los Angeles, on a ridge sufficiently elevated to afford drainage during the rainy season, and surrounded with abundant grazing. The troops were supplied with good water from wells dug within the limits of the camp. There being no timber in the immediate vicinity, fuel was supplied by contract. During the afternoon of the 8th and morning of the 9th of April I inspected Captains Mead’s, Shirland’s, and Cremony’s companies of cavalry and Lieutenant Shinn’s battery (A) of artillery. The equipment of all these companies was complete and, with their clothing, in very good condition. The companies of cavalry were exercised in platoon and squadron, and evinced care in their instruction and a tactical knowledge on the part of their respective officers. The battery was exercised for one hour at battery drill, and when you consider the short time in which Lieutenant Shinn has had to operate, it is not too much to say that its instruction is excellent and displays intelligence and zeal on the part of its officers. The discipline at this camp, as well as the general appearance of the troops, was good. Their messing received the attention of company commanders and was generally very well conducted. By direction of the district commander the cooks of each company at this and other camps and posts were instructed in making bread. The object of this was to lessen the amount in bulk of subsistence to be transported. It has succeeded admirably, and the men much prefer this to the hard bread usually provided on a campaign.

At Kline’s ranch I found Captain McLaughlin’s company, Second Cavalry. One third of this company are on detached service, as expressmen, teamsters, &c., and the captain could give me no satisfactory information of the condition of their horses, clothing, or equipments. The portion of the company at this station I found admirably instructed in all their duties (excepting their clothing, which is very bad), and in good condition for active service. This officer is, I think, one of the best instructed in the cavalry force from this State, and prompt and active in the discharge of all his duties. I arrived at Camp Wright early in the morning of the 14th of April and remained there until late in the afternoon of the same day. During that time Major Coult exercised the command, which consisted of six companies of the Fifth California Volunteer Infantry, in battalion drill, both at the quick and double-quick, equipped in complete marching order. These companies have been carelessly instructed, for neither in their marching nor in executing the evolutions in battalion did they display that careful training so necessary to military movement. With the exception of Major Coult none of the officers appeared familiar with tactics, and from what I ascertained I am satisfied that no regular recitations have ever been required of them. In Major Coult i found an exception, for he is not only familiar with all his duties, but in tactical knowledge has probably no superior in the volunteer service. I inspected these companies at different points on the route subsequently, and found their equipments and clothing, except in the article of knapsacks, in very good order. The latter were generally rotten, and very inferior to those used in service. I could not ascertain positively, but think that many of those on hand were made in this city; the material of which they are manufactured is not serviceable, and the officers generally prefer the old army pattern.

The messing arrangements in the several companies were very good; everything indicated neatness and a proper care on the part of the officers. Examined carefully company records and found company commanders almost totally deficient in their knowledge of keeping their accounts. There was a very general desire to be instructed, and a disposition to assume the entire responsibility of the losses resulting from their neghgence in not keeping properly their clothing accounts. The hospital at this camp was in the charge of Surgeon Wooster, Fift Infantry California Volunteers, and was apparently properly conducted. All the officers of the regiment appear to have great respect forand confidence in this gentleman. Camp Wright is under the com mand of Colonel Bowie, Fifth Infantry. Owing to the necessities of the service the companies of his regiment have been much seattered since their arrival in the district, whieh has prevented his giving greater personal attention to their instruction. His recent orders, however, if faithfully carried out, will go far to remedy many of the defects now. so apparent. I arrived at Fort Yuma on the 20th of April, and reviewed and inspected the troops the next day. The garrison consisted of seven companies of the First Regiment of Infantry California Volunteers, under the command of Maj. E. A. Rigg, same regiment. The battalion passed in review both at quick and double-quick, equipped in heavy marching order, displaying a steadiness and regularity of movement that would have done credit to regular troops. The arms and equipments as well as the clothing of these companies were in excellent condition. i

The influence of the large number of old soldiers in this regiment 1s made apparent in the neatness of their quarters and great care taken

Wa OPERATIONS ON THE PACIFIC COAST. (Cuap. LXII.

of their clothing and equipments, and more particularly in the messing arrangements. Indeed everything about the quarters was highly creditable. On the 22d and 23d the command exercised at company drill; the first day at Hardee’s tactics and light infantry, and the second at the bayonet exercise. I required all the company officers to drill, giving the necessary explanations previous to the execution of any command. They were generally very well instructed in tactics. The companies executed their movements in a manner displaying much care in their instruction. Much of the credit for the great degree of excellence in the military duties of this command is due to LieutenantColonel West and Major Rigg, both of whom have been untiring in their efforts to make their regiment little short of regular troops. All their orders to secure this end indicate a knowledge of men and a famiharity with the details of the service. The company books were neat, and the clothing accounts properly kept. The reports and returns required in Regulations have been regularly furnished. In this, as in all other commands in the district, I find that the men have been permitted to overdraw their allowance of clothing, many of them even exceeding eighteen months’ allowance. This was owing to a want of experience on the part of company commanders and the impression that all accounts of this character were to be settled annually.

In the recent payment of the troops in this district the excess was generally deducted on the pay-rolls, so that the error is partially corrected and not likely to occur again. Agreeably to instructions, several earth-works have been thrown up at different points around the barracks for the protection of the position from assault. In executing this it was necessary to instruct the men in makihg gabions and fascines, with which duty they are now familiar, The tracing of the works is, to speak critically, defective, but when you recollect that the whole was executed by officers who had no previous experience and no military works to refer to, it is altogether one of the most creditable undertakings and executed in a manner worthy of commendation. The police of the garrison was very good, and everything indicated that the place was garrisoned by a well-disciplined regiment. The howitzers sent to Fort Yuma by the department commander were mounted on a commanding position and a detachment well and regularly instructed by an officer of the regiment who had served inthe Army. I had now inspected all the troops connected with Colonel Carleton’s expedition, and in every respect found them, so far as equipment and clothing were concerned, provided as the general commanding desired they should be for active service in the field. The condition and quality of the supplies pertaining to staff departments will be found in another part of this report.

teturning I arrived at Camp Latham on the 10th of May. The camp is under the command of Colonel Forman, Fourth Infantry, and its garrison consists of three companies of the Second Cavalry under Lieutenant-Colonel Evans, and three companies and headquarters of the Fourth Infantry. I inspected and reviewed the companies of cavalry (D, G, and I) on the following day. The men rode very well and the management of their horses was excellent. The clothing of these companies was in a most wretched condition; much of the material was evidently made of shoddy and was actually rotten when received, while other parts had so faded that all trace of the original color was lost. This was particularly so with the pantaloons and caps. The equipments generally were in pretty good order, as were also the arms. In the latter, however, many small parts in quite a number of pieces were wanting, such as screws, &c., which have been lost, no doubt in consequence of the men being permitted to take their arms to pieces. I called the special attention of company commanders to General Orders, No. 2, on that subject. The company books were neatly and carefully kept, and the messing well conducted. These companies were exercised at squadron and platoon drill, mounted and dismounted, and acquitted themselves very creditably. All the officers were familiar with the tactics and appear zealous in the discharge of all their duties. At least 90 or 100 of the horses pertaining to these companies are unserviceable for active operations. Most, if not all these, were transferred from the First Cavalry and replaced by taking good, serviceable horses from the Second Cavalry. This was done by order of the district commander; the consequence is that the command in its present condition is not fitted for field service. For some time after this exchange very serious results were apprehended, for the taking away their horses came near demoralizing the whole command. It was only the assurance that the department commander would give them an equally good remount that satisfied them that they were not entirely neglected. The system of detachments carried on in this district has done much to weaken the authority of company commanders and interfere with the instruction of the men and officers. Nevertheless Lieutenant-Colonel Evans has, under all these adverse circumstances, kept his command in as good condition for service as could possibly have been expected. He is certainly one of the best and most reliable volunteer officers I met in the district. I reviewed and inspected the infantry battalion in marching order on the 11th. Their marching was very unsteady, and it is very evident that but little care has been taken in the instruction of these companies. Their clothing, equipments, and arms were in excellent condition. The company books were well kept and the messing arrangements of the companies very good. The hospital, under the direction and charge of Surgeon Todd, Fourth Infantry, was very neat and clean; the sick were made very comfortable. The doctor represents that many of the sick belong to companies on or beyond the Colorado, and are here without descriptive lists. I gave the necessary directions in the matter, and suggested the propriety of discharging those of them who were permanently injured.

Second Lieutenant Barrett, First Infantry, discharges the duties of quartermaster and commissary at the post and depot. He appears zealous in the performance of the duties assigned him, and in the transaction of the business pertaining to these departments proves himself both competent and faithful. The amount of quartermaster’s funds on hand was $21.30. The amount actually paid out from November 1, 1861, to April 1, 1862, was $253.85, of which $145 was for secret service, by direction of Colonel Carleton, district commander. The outstanding indebtedness of this department is $2,860, incurred principally as follows: For guides and expressmen, $961; mechanies, $76; interpreter, $325; teamsters and extra-duty men, $966; purchase of implements and manta, $552. There was a sufficient amount of clothing on hand to meet the wants of the command; it was in good condition. There was on hand 5,184 pairs of infantry bootees, 1,721 flannel shirts, 800 cotton shirts, 4,252 pairs of drawers, 5,928 pairs of stockings,

1,023 blankets, 1,832 trousers. This, in addition to the amount of clothing then en route, of which the quartermaster had received invoices. There was in store and en route (invoices received) 161,000 pounds of barley; a large quantity had already been thrown forward to points on the Gila. Most of the barley received at this depot by steamer was in very bad condition, owing partly to the sacks being defective. but principally caused by rough handling. The result has been very great wastage. There are but two citizens employed, one as carpenter, the other as wagon maker. The services of one of these can, I think, be dispensed with now that the trains have passed beyond this point. All repairs could be made by one with the assistance of the the extra-duty men. I would respectfully recommend that instructions be given to have the quartermaster’s store-house floored. It is very much needed and would add much to the security and preservation of property as well as conduce to the comfort of those employed init. The best floor would be one made of cement. The clothing room is quite dry and admirably adapted for storing clothing. I have been thus minute in stating the amount of clothing actually on hand because of the general’s desire that Colonel Carleton’s command should have everything necessary to insure its success and the comfort of the men.

The total amount of subsistence funds received since November 1, 1861, is $3,461.67. The expenditure for the same period has been $3,378.02, leaving a balance on hand April 1, 1862, of $83.65. The principal part of this expenditure has been for the purchase, under contract, of fresh beef. The outstanding indebtedness is $3,204.49, The amount of subsistence stores on hand and en route, 230 barrels of pork, 2,100 barrels of fiour, 11,000 pounds of hominy, 300 bushels of beans, 15,000 pounds of rice, 37,000 pounds of coffee, 54,000 pounds of sugar, and about 10,000 pounds desiccated vegetables, as also a proportionate amount of less important parts of the rations. Stores sent by steamer to this point are generally delivered in bad condition; many packages are broken and all more or less injured, and large wastage is reported. The packages in which sugar and rice are sent from here are very bad and I would suggest that some other mode of packing for these stores be resorted to. There is no difficulty in preserving pork, candles, and soap if stored in the cellar of the building on the hill, whichis now used for that purpose; but great wastage is reported on molasses, vinegar, pickles, and whisky. This is owing to the shrinkage of the vessels containing these stores, and, although several have been tried, no place has yet been devised preventing this loss. It would be advisable to send pickles in glass jars to this post, otherwise they cannot be preserved. In the absence of other vegetables the commissary has purchased and issued pumpkins, which are relished by the troops. The ordnance at this post was generally in a serviceable condition. What was not required at the post will be sent to Benicia Arsenal.

The quartermaster’s and subsistence departments at this camp were under the immediate control of Lieutenant Bayley, Fifth Infantry. This officer was totally ignorant of his duties, and I had to depend for accurate information on the quartermaster and commissary sergeants. As the camp has been entirely supplied from the depot at New San Pedro, the only expenditure has been the pay of extra-duty men. The outstanding indebtedness for this purpose does not exceed $20, The amount of quartermaster’s stores on hand include 1,500 sacks of barley,

Carleton’s expedition had passed this point previous to my inspection, most of these articles will have to be sent elsewhere, for they will not be required by the few expressmen who pass over the route. The indebtedness of the commissary department is $118.50, principally incurred in the purchase of fresh beef. There was on hand May 6 about 10,000 rations, except that there was of sugar, pork, and beans, respectively, 25,000, 20,000, and 10,000 rations. Nearly all of this amount would be over and above what could be required by the part of Carleton’s command yet to pass Camp Wright. If the camp is to be broken up, directions should be given to have these stores removed to some point where they will be required.

First Lieut. D. J. Williamson, regimental quartermaster Fourth Infantry California Volunteers, the quartermaster and commissary for this command, is intelligent and active in the discharge of his duties. He had just been assigned to them. He reports great irregularity in the discharge of these duties by his predecessors, and as evidence of the fact states that much of the public property in use is not borne on any of their returns. I advised him to take up all Government property found in camp, stating its condition. Many of the tents are much worn and were being repaired. The only outstanding indebtedness at this camp pertains to the subsistence department, and was principally for the purchase of fresh beef.

Lieut. F. A. Morgan, Fifth Infantry California Volunteers, is in charge of the depot at this place. He is represented as a man of strict integrity and exceedingly zealous in discharging his duties. His accounts are regularly and correctly made out, and, what is much in his favor, gives his personal attention to the business intrusted to his care. The outstanding indebtedness of the quartermaster’s department is $21,635.14, of which $4,125 is for purchase of mules by Captain Moore, but taken up on Lieutenant Morgan’s accounts, and the balance principally for the purchase of barley and pay of teamsters. The amount of money on hand was $61.77, received for sale of public property. I found in store quite a number ot carpenter’s and mason’s tools, which I advised Lieutenant Morgan to have carefully packed and in readiness to be used should they be required for Lieutenant-Colonel Evans’ expedition; also 70 Sibley, 20 wall, and 25 common tents, more or less worn, ings used for store-houses are admirably adapted for this purpose, although the ground on which they are located is very damp; yet I think they are raised sufficiently high to prevent any injurious effects.

At present there are no teams at the disposal of the depot quartermaster, consequently transportation for all stores landed on the wharf has to be hired to transport them to the warehouses, a distance of about 200 or 300 yards, which costs $1.50 per ton. This has cost the Government during part of the month of May, 1862, $725.25, enough almost to have purchased the mules for one team. A corral is much needed at this point for securing the animals belonging to trains coming in for supplies; there is abundance of room on the lot ceded by Mr. Banning both for this purpose and any sheds it may be necessary to erect. The amount of subsistence funds on hand was $214. The expenditures in this department are very light. There was in store 38,000 rations. I would suggest that instructions be given for the troops within striking distance of this depot to draw all their subsistence from it. This will prevent the accumulation of large supplies at different points where temporary camps may be established. In conclusion, I would respectfully suggest that in sending. stores and supplies to the different points where water transportation is used, sail vessels should be used whenever circumstances will permit. At every point I heard complaints of the great injury done to property carried by steamers, while all the officers stated that that sent by sail vessels was invariably delivered in good condition. This will apply particularly to Fort Yuma. I am confident that much would be gained by the use of sailing vessels to this point.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,