SPECIAL ORDERS, ) HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF OREGON, November 2, 1861

SPECIAL ORDERS, ) HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF OREGON,
November 2, 1861.
No. 52. Fort Vancouver, Wash. Ter., November 2, 1861. I. Captain Crowninshield’s company (E, Fourth Infantry California Volunteers) will take post at Fort Steilacoom, Wash. Ter., to which place it will proceed by the steamer Pacific about the 11th instant, and relieve the present garrison. * * * * * * e III. On being relieved by the company of volunteers, Captain Woodruff, with Companies D and F, Ninth Infantry, will embark on the steamer, on which he will continue until its arrival at San Francisco.

IV. Captain Scott’s company (D, Fourth Infantry California Volunteers) will first take post at Fort Yamhill, to which place it will proceed with as little delay as practicable and relieveits present garrison, Coupany I, Ninth Infantry. On being relieved Company I will proceed to this post, whence it will go to San Francisco by the first steamer after its arrival. The quartermaster’s department will furnish the necessary transportation for the movements of these two companies.

By order of Lieutenant-Colonel Cady:

First Lieut., Third Artillery, Acting Assistant Adjutant- General.

[NOVEMBER 2, 1861.—For Baylor to Hébert, relating to affairs in California and Arizona, see Vol. IV, p. 149.]

Los ANGELES, CAL., November 4, 1861. Col. JAMES H. CARLETON:

My DEAR SIR: I have been put in possession of some facts this morning which would appear to warrant the conclusion that men are concentrating, or will soon meet, on the Colorado River. I believe my information is reliable, and I also see in the Alta of the 26th ultimo a letter from San Diego, which, taken in connection with what I have learned here this morning, is quite significant. I believe there is a party of twenty-five men now at El Monte. They have been there some days, waiting the arrival of Showalter and others to proceed on to the Colorado. I am quite unwell to-day or I would go to your camp. If you should be in town to-morrow I will endeavor to see you.

Yours, truly, J. J. WARNER.

FORT Yuma, November 4, 1861. Col. JAMES H. CARLETON, Los Angeles:

DEAR COLONEL: An official communication herewith will inform you of our march and arrival here. I scarcely as yet comprehend my position, but am exerting myself to that end. To-morrow I shall have most of the ferry-boats under my control; one thirty miles below I hope to secure by Wednesday, and another twenty miles above in a few days. The river is so low that it can be forded in many places. Indians swim the animals of travelers, and some may escape me. Accounts from Tucson and thereabouts are conflicting, and therefore unreliable. I hear that Baylor is at Tucson with 200 men, and Van Dorn at Mesilla with a larger command. Of course the outside talk is that they intend to come here. I place no reliance upon it, however. They may or may not. – Carrillo is becoming more useful. I send him to Tucson by way of Altar. He will be back in twenty days. My scouts now number four, and are not idle. I shall send you an account of stores in a few days. I have on hand 50,000 rounds of ammunition; provisions in abundance. A good deal of work is needed to strengthen this position. Were I commander of this district L would send here two 12-pounders and a small corps of artillerists. Excuse the suggestion. I have four 12-pounder howitzers and 150 rounds of shot and shell. My Greek makes an odd-looking letter of this, but it is very interesting to those that understand it. I shail begin drills of officers at the earliest possible moment. At present I am only devoting one hour daily to company drill, as the work on the defenses of the post mostly occupies the time. Will you be good enough to inform me whether you propose to keep up an express and how often? For instance, I may avoid sending off a special messenger if I know when to expect a regular one. I have many things to write to you about, but matters are so indefinite as yet that I cannot satisfactorily allude to them. Since writing the above Mr. Yager has acquainted me with the fact that he once carried the mail to San Diego weekly at $4,500 per annum, and is willing to renew the service on same terms, or to Los Angeles for $6,000. I merely mention the matter incidentally for your consideration. An allusion is made elsewhere (in communication to adjutant) of a scout that 1 made to Gonzales’ Ferry. Unfortunately it was unsuccessful, as the game had flown. While I was away from Dresher’s command he searched a messenger on the road and discovered the two letters which I in2lose herewith.* I sent an emissary to Gila City yesterday, but there was nobody there. They had all moved on. I shall keep on the alert for foes of all numbers and kinds. Greenwade, at Temecula, is a rank secessionist, giving aid and comfort to the enemy. The same may be said of Weld, the factotum of Yager, on the other side of the desert. I have omitted citizen employés from my post return. but will send them on the next. Itis bad policy to mention their names. Iam much in want of some envelopes. Company blanks are a scarcer article at this post. I keep my letters open, and write as one matter or the other suggests itself. Hence they are rather desultory. Truly, yours, J. R. WEST, Lieutenant-Colonel, de.