Unknown to Assistant Adjutant-General, August 21, 1861

Assistant Adjutant-General:

CAPTAIN: Yesterday it became known through this camp that I was to be relieved in command here by Captain Smith, First Dragoons. This information was written here by Major Carleton. It was calculated to do harm in three ways. First. That troops are apt to relax in their attention to duties pending a change of commanders. Second. That if I was disposed to yield to a feeling of mortification, consequent upon getting information of the change in this way, it might discourage ine in the ready prosecution of my own duties. Third, That our Union citizens here, with whom have established harmonious and intelligible relations, might lose confidence in me from this report, not knowing the general’s good reasons. My own self-respect teaches me that it would be better if the general’s intentions with regard to this command became known through his orders, and that every officer becoming possessed of the designs of his superiors should have reticence enough (particularly now) to keep them to himself and not make them the subject of gossip. I shall work, captain, even under this rumor, with the

Əl R R—VOL L, PT I same hearty good will, to be able to turn over to Captain Smith a command that he may find efficient, and I have no feeling about the proposed change, only about its mode of communication. With high respect, I am, your most obedient servant,

Captain, First Dragoons, Commanding.

San Francisco, August 22, 1861.

Adjutant-General, Washington, D. C.:

GENERAL: In raising the volunteers from this State I found it indispensably necessary, for economy as well as efficiency, to have a cavalry officer of experience and ability to command the five companies of cavalry. There was no suitable man to be found out of the Army, and at my request the Governor has given the commission of lieutenantcolonel of cavalry to Lieut. B. F. Davis, of the First Dragoons. I have known this young officer since he entered the Army, and I know: him to be one of the best officers in it. He is from the South, but a firm loyalist to the Government. I would respectfully ask the sanction of the War Department to this appointment.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,