Richd. C. Drum to Fifth Regiment Infantry California Volunteers, January 7, 1862

Col. GEORGE W. BOWIE, Fifth Regiment Infantry California Volunteers, Commanding Camp Union, Sacramento, Cal.:

SIR: The department commander desires you to send two companies of your regiment to this city for embarkation on the steamer Wright, which sails for San Pedro on the 9th instant. The lieutenant-colonel of your regiment will accompany this force. The general desires you to designate one company of your regiment, the captain to be a reliable man, to garrison San Diego. You will hold this company in readmess to proceed to this city on the order of the general. The companies proceeding south will each take their camp and garrison equipage and three days’ provisions, to be issued after landing at San Pedro, Two companies will be sent down on the 9th for embarkation on the 10th instant. The companies will arrive on the evening previous to sailing, and arrangements will be made by your regimental quartermaster to keep them on board the steamer during the night they remain here. The major will accompany this last detachment.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,