Second Infantry California Vols., Comdg. Humboldt Mil. Dist to R. C. Drum, June 11, 1863

DEPUTY QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL’S OFFICE,
San Francisco, June 11, 1863.
Lieutenant-Colonel DRUM, Assistant Adjutant- General, Present:

Camp Wright has hitherto been furnished via Fort Bragg, from which latter post it is distant sixty-five miles. I know of no more eligible route. They have forty-nine pack-mules and trappings and one wagon at Camp Wright.

Deputy Quartermaster-General.

Fort Humboldt, June 11, 1863.

COLONEL: On the 6th instant a citizen pack train of thirty-seven mules, with a citizen escort of five men, fell into an Indian ambush near Oak Camp, about fifteen miles this side of Fort Gaston. Two of the men were shot, one killed, and the other escaped wounded, arriving at Hoopa Valley the same night. The remainder ran back to Fawn Prairie, the camp of Captain Ousley’s company (B) of mountaineers. Lieutenant Hempfield started at once with thirty-six men, arriving at the scene of attack five hours after it occurred. They have failed, however, to find the Indians. Immediately on the arrival of the wounded man in the valley Lieutenant-Colonel Olney dispatched Lieutenant Winchill with five men (being all that could be spared, several escorts being then out) to render what assistance he could. Lieutenant Winchill arrived at the place of attack at 3.30 o’elock in the morning. All that he could do was to employ his detachment to

escort to Hoopa Valley a portion of the train and cargo which the Indians had left on the ground.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Department of the Pacific.
Fort Humboldt, July 10, 1863.
COLONEL: Yesterday a private train, which had been transporting
Government stores to Fort Gaston, was attacked at Redwood Creek
on its return by Indians. The escort consisted of eighteen men of the
Weaverville company, not yet organized, together with five packers.