Special Orders, Hdqrs. Department Of The Pacific to East and join his company. TAN, October 30, 1861

GENERAL ORDERS, ) HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE PACIFIC,
October 30, 1861.
No. 29. San Francisco, October 30, 1861.

IV. Surg. Richard H. Coolidge, medical department, having reported

at these headquarters in pursuance of orders from the War Department, is announced on the department staff. Surgeon Coolidge will

accordingly relieve Surg. Charles McCormick, medical department,

when the latter will comply with orders received from Washington. By order of Brigadier-General Wright:

Assistant Adjutant-General.

No. 205. y San Francisco, Cal., October 30, 1861.

1. The officers of the Regular Army appointed by the Governor to positions in the regiments of volunteers called into service from the State of California will, with the exception of Colonel Carleton (major, Sixth Cavalry) and Lieut. Col. Benjamin F. Davis (captain, First Cavalry), rejoin their respective regiments and companies as soon as others have been selected to relieve them.

2. Capt. Benjamin F. Davis, First Cavalry, having tendered his resignation as lieutenant-colonel of cavalry, California volunteers, will join his company at San Pedro in time to embark with the same on the steamer leaving this port on the 1st proximo.

By order of Brigadier-General Wright:

Assistant Adjutant- General.

Salem, Oreg., October 30, 1861. First Lieut. A. C. WILDRICK,

Third Artillery, Acting Assistant Adjutant General:

STR: Your communication of the 28th instant, containing Special Orders, No. 47, has this day been received, and the order will be promptly attended to.

Yours, with respect,

Private Secretary.

San Francisco, Cal., October 31, 1861. Jol. E. D. TOWNSEND, Asst. Adjt. Gen., Hdqrs. of the Army, Washington, D. 0.: COLONEL: I deem it my duty to submit to the General-in-Chief the condition of affairs in the Southern District of California and the prudential measures which 1 consider of vital importance in suppressing

any attempts of the rebel forces to gain a foothold on the Pacific Coast. The U.S. troops in this department can repel any direct invasion of the State by the rebels, but the adjoining State of Sonora, with a feeble governmentand sparse population, presents inducements of the strongest kind for the rebels to march a force into that country and obtain possession of the fine port of Guaymas. This once accomplished, it destroys our commerce in the Gulf of California and interrupts the natural transit in and outof Arizona. The fondly cherished hopes and aim of the rebels are to obtain a port on the Pacific. Timely interference on our part will frustrate their designs. To protect Arizona and re-establish the authority of the United States Government in that country the occupation of Sonora is a military necessity. The amicable relations existing between our Government and that of Mexico would not necessarily be interrupted by our temporary occupation of Sonora; the design and object would be apparent. At all events, Sonora is de Jacto independent of the Central Government, and has been so for four years; and I am assured by persons whose responsible positions and reputation guarantee their assertion that the introduction of a force of U.S. troops would be hailed with joy, and meet with the moral and physical support of the entire population. We would not enter the country as conquerors, but as friends, to unite with the government and people in driving back the Southern rebels, who are now threatening their country with ruin and devastation. I am informed by gentlemen of high standing that the introduction of U.S. troops into Sonora would be agreeable to the present governor—Pesqueira. Under all the circumstances, to protect ourselves, I consider it imperative that we should take the initiative in this matter. Sonora is weak and unable to resist a rebel force, and if our aid is withheld she will inevitably be overrun—virtually conquered—and the rebels obtain possession of the portof Guaymas. Let tworegiments, one of cavalry and one of infantry, with a light artillery battery, be promptly thrown into Guaymas, and all will be well. A discreet and prudent commander would conciliate the government and people of Sonora, and co-operating harmoniously together, no rebel forces could enter the State. Peace and prosperity would reign within its borders. Once occupy Sonora, and the re-establishment of our authority in Arizona would be a work of easy accomplishment. The force necessary for the expedition is now on this coast, and could be transported to Guaymas by steamers in a week’s time.

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

Brigadier-General, U. S. Army, Commanding.
SPECIAL ORDERS, ) HDQRs. DEPARTMENT OF THE PACIFIC,
No. 206. San Francisco, Cal., October 31, 1861.
1. Capt. Horatio G. Gibson, Third Artillery, having been transferred
to Light Company ©, Third Artillery, will immediately proceed to the
East and join his company. TAN
2, A company of the Second Regiment of Cavalry California Volunteers, to be selected by the colonel, will, properly mounted and eq uipped,
proceed overland to and take post at Fort Seward. Major McGarry,