T. Moore to George A. H. Blake, June 10, 1861

Maj. GEORGE A. H. BLAKE, First Dragoons, Commanding:

MAJOR: I have the honor to report that, in accordance with your instructions of June 7, 1861, I proceeded to Carson, with the detachment of twenty dragoons under the command of Lieutenant Baker. On my arrival at that place I called upon Mr. John Blackburn to turn over to me the public arms in his possession. Those he had in Carson were at once transferred to me, he at the same time giving an order on Captain Curtis and Mr. Shiririch, of Silver City, for twenty-one stand left in their charge for safe-keeping. While in Silver City I heard of a number of muskets supposed to be in the hands of different individuals. On examining the houses of these persons none were to be found, and they all stated that the arms had been turned over to Benjamin F. Lippincott, who was the quartermaster of the command under Colonel Hays and who had authority to receipt for the arms of the command. At Silver City I learned that the secession flag was to be raised at 10 o’clock that day in Virginia City. Although my orders did not contemplate any resistance on the part of the people or that a demonstration adverse to the Federal authority would be made, I believed that the putting down of any movement of that nature would meet with your approbation.

On my arrival at Virginia everything was comparatively quiet although there was considerable excitement among the advocates of the Southern rebellion. Immediate examination of all buildings suspected of containing arms was made. The building on which the rebel flag was hoisted a few days since was found to contain no arms, and the proprietor assured me that the flag was hoisted more for a joke than with the intention of causing any excitement. His statement, L believe was intended for a blind, as I was subsequently informed from the most reliable residents of the place that there was, beyond a doubt, an organization to subvert the authority of the Federal Government in this Territory and declare in favor of the Confederate States. That there are arms in or near Virginia there can be no doubt, but the organization has been so close in its operations that the responsibility can be placed on no one individual, nor can the Union men trace them to the haunts where they are probably secreted. Information against Captain Caperton of a nature sufficiently strong was presented as to warrant his apprehension. I was obliged to release him, as he brought witnesses to swear that the arms belonged to Captain Stover and the ones referred to had been turned in to the quartermaster of the command, Benjamin F. Lippincott. The arms secured by me were, by the direction of General Sumner, commanding department, turned over to a company enrolled in Virginia on the night of the 9th for the especial protection of the interests of the Union. Two companies were formed, of fifty men each, who, in addition to the oath of the club, were sworn to faithful obedience to the President and the laws of the Federal Government, to suppress rebellion, and to be ready at any moment to yield obedience to the President or other loyal authority under him for the preservation of the Union. Four hundred men are already enrolled. Of these one hundred are armed; the remainder, from the want of arms, are unable to place themselves in a state of such efficiency as they desire, but hope the general commanding will soon furnish the requisite arms and ammunition to enable them to carry out the object of their organization. After having taken such precautionary measures for the conservation of peace as I thought best, I returned to this post. In conclusion, I would call your attention to the faithful and efficient manner in which Lieutenant Baker and the men of his command carried out the orders given them under circumstances peculiarly embarrassing to an officer of the Army. I am, sir,

very respectfully, your obedient servant,