Thos. E. Wright to James Ulio, May 31, 1864

SIR:

I have the honor to report the following operations of this command during the preceding fifteen days against the hostile Indians:

Five scouting parties were out at the date of my last report. The reports of each I have the honor to inclose herewith. On the evening of the 20th, further information having been received concerning the Indians referred to in the report of Lieutenant Hackett by a scouting party under Sergeant Harris, Company E, Mountaineers, I at once determined to capture them if possible. Nearly the entire command had just returned. Having been in the field about thirty days without rest, many of the men were unable to go until they had recovered from their fatigue. A call for volunteers was responded to by more than the number of men required, and Lieutenants Geer, Hackett, and Hutton. The services of Stephen Fleming asa guide, two or three citizens, eight friendly Indians, with the party under Sergeant Harris, in all amounting to fifty men, left this camp at retreat on the 20th. The report of the action on the 22d [23d], which was the result, I have had the honor to transmit heretofore to the colonel commanding.* The officers and men of the entire command have been active and untiring during the past month, their labors severe, and the exposure has been necessarily great. On the 26th Sergeant Holt, Company G, Sixth California Infantry Volunteers, and nine men left for the purpose of scouting to the southwest of this post. It is believed that few if any Indians are now roaming between Hel and Mad Rivers west of Baker. It is thought that all the armed bands still out can be induced to come in as prisoners of war if steps are now taken with a view to that object. In the meantime another severe chastisement will be perhaps beneficial. The white man seen during the last engagement is thought to be Heath, who recently escaped from Gaston; while at the same time the horse

captured is supposed to have belonged to a man by the name of Ross, who has been missing since the 20th instant from his home. In obedience to verbal instructions a detachment of ten men was sent to relieve the party of the Second Infantry at Brown’s ranch on the 28th instant. Also on the 30th a detachment of ten men to protect Reed’s ranch, ten miles south of this camp. This point is much exposed and has been threatened repeatedly of late. Ihave to-day directed Lieutenant Taylor, of the Sixth, to establish a temporary camp at a suitable point near the crossing of Mad River by the upper trail, with twentyfive men for the protection of that route, now very much traveled, and perhaps the most dangerous one in the country. Should this meet the approval of the district commander I will keep a party at the point selected. I am, sir,

very respectfully, your obedient servant,