Unknown to George Wright, October 25, 1861

COLONEL: I wrote to you the day that Larrived here, which, I suppose, you received. [camped near Senor Carrillo’s house, where we now are. The location for a camp here is a beautiful one. Water is plenty and good and wood can be easily procured, but the climate is objectionable. It blows terribly the greater portion of the time, and Doctor Prentiss thinks it unhealthy. l have examined nearly every inch of the entire ranch, and can find none better than this. The camp is situated about one mile north of Carrillo’s house and at the intersection of the San Diego road with the road to Yuma. The only place that I know of near here is Oak Grove (or Cable’s), twelve miles from here. There is plenty of water and wood at that place. I sent forward the teams in charge of Lieut. R. S. Barrett, acting assistant quartermaster, to San Diego, as per instructions from you. They returned to this camp to-day with commissary stores. Mr. Barrett reports no quartermaster’s stores of any description at San Diego. The train will leave again for San Diego on the 27th. Iam afraid that they will not be in a condition to make as good time as before (seven days), from the fact that a number of the mules are without shoes and cannot be shod either here or at San Diego. There are no shoes or nails at either place. We are also short of pants for the command. Colonel West takes 100 pairs from us here, which only leaves seventy-one pairs. Blankets we have none at all, and one blanket is not sufficient (in my opinion) to keep the men warm in this climate. The nights are extremely cold, and becoming more so every night. Complaints of sleeping cold are made by the men. We have no woolen socks or drawers, and but 204 pairs of bootees. Overcoats also wehavenoneonhand. I would suggest that those articles be forwarded as soon as practicable. The roads will soon be in a bad condition from here to San Diego and transportation will be difficult. I would call your attention also to the company property left at Camp Latham, to be shipped via San Diego. The companies—that is to say, Company I, Company D, and Company F—brought but one pick, one spade, and one ax with them, besides but a few camp-kettles and mess-pans. They are now much in want of all those articles. I also forward a requisition for stationery, &c., for this camp. We have none of any kind here. I would also like to have blank clothing rolls, weekly reports, officers’ pay accounts, and what other blanks and papers you may deem necessary for use here. The command here are in good health and spirits, and if an opportunity occurs will give a good account of themselves. They are improving rapidly in their drills, and, Lam happy to say, orderly and obedient to their officers. They stood the march remarkably well after the first two or three days. Their feet blistered somewhat, but by frequent bathing soon got well, and when our destination was reached were in condition to undergo almost any kind of fatigue. Lieutenant-Colonel West will give you the particulars of the whole command here and of those already on the route to Fort Yuma. I find that the barley has been nearly all bought up by speculators, and 4 cents per pound is now asked for it here. Mr. Carrillo, to whom you referred me for barley, has sold out to other parties, and of course cannot furnish any more; byt I found a man, Samuel Warneck, who has 60,000 pounds of fine barley and will sell to Government for 24 cents per pound. I will contract with him for what we require and get him to hold the balance until I can hear from you. His barley is superior to any that I have seen here. The 24 cents is the price at his ranch, but we will have teams and men enough to haulit. His brother also has some 10,000 or 12,000 pounds. Your instructions in reference to this section of the country will be carried out to the letter. tespectfully, EDWIN A. RIGG, Major, Commanding Camp Wright.

P. S.—Stoves for the Sibley tents would be very acceptable.

DEAR Rice: Send Roberts down at your earliest convenience by a train going one of its regular trips for supplies. The telegraph is through to the States. In a battle fought the 21st of October at Leesburg, Va., General Baker was killed while cheering on his men. I have not heard yet how the battle went, but probably in our favor. Send the express on to overtake West. As he returns write me all your news. Keep your command ready to fight. Drill three times a day and have all your officers recite tactics.

Truly, your friend, CARLETON,