Thomas A. Scott to Justus Steinberger, October 12, 1861

October 12, 1861.* Col. JUSTUS STEINBERGER, Washington, D. 0.: SIR: At the request of Col. W. H. Wallace, late Governor of Washington Territory, you are hereby authorized to raise and organize a regiment of infantry in that Territory and the country adjacent thereto, for the service of the United States, to serve for three years, or during * Another copy of this letter is dated October 18, 1861. the war. The Governor or Acting Governor of the Territory will please aid in perfecting this organization in such manner as may best promote the interests of the Government; the list of officers, except’the colonel, to be certified and sent to this Department by the colonel commanding, with the approval of the Governor or Acting Governor. The organization of this regiment is to be in accordance with the general orders from the Adjutant-General’s Department. In case the regular troops shall have left Fort Vancouver, or the District of Oregon, the colonel herein authorized will be mustered into service by any Army officer in San Francisco, Cal. For this purpose Colonel Steinberger will, immediately upon his arrival in the city, report to the senior officer in San Francisco for information as to the presence or absence of troops in the District of Oregon. In case clothing, arms, equipage, &c., cannot be obtained from the Government stores in the District of Oregon, Colonel Steinberger is authorized to make requisition for them on the commanding ofticer of the Department of the Pacific.

THOMAS A. SCOTT,