Richd. C. Drum to James H. Carleton, July 5, 1861

‘ San Francisco, July 5, 1861. Bvt. Maj. JAMES H. CARLETON, Captain, First Dragoons, U. X. Army, Commanding Camp Fitzgerald, Los Angeles, Cal. : Sır: The general commanding the department thinks it not impossible, in consequence of the withdrawal of the troops from Forts Tejon and Mojave, that the Indians may be emboldened to make hostile incursions on the settlements near their reservations. To guard against this and at the same time afford the necessary protection to the citizens in those localities, he desires you, whenever you have reliable information of offenses having been committed, to send out a detachment from your command under a discreet commissioned officer, to gain information, and if required, to correct the Indians. Should the latter be necessary, it is the desire of the general that the Indians Shall nct be punished for alleged offenses, unless the evidence is of a character leaving no doubt of their guilt, and then only in proportion to the offense committed.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,