Unknown to E. A. Rigg, April 21, 1862

Maj. E. A. RIGG, First Infantry California Vols., Comdy. at Fort Yuma, Cal.:

MAJOR: Captain Shirland with his company of cavalry en route to Fort Yuma encamped to-night at Vallecito. He is followed by MeDonald’s train, divided in two parts, the first part one day behind him, the second part two days. Have Shirland’s horses shod and ferried across the river the day after his arrival; have McDonald’s mules shod, and his teams ferried over the day after his arrival. McDonald’s train is to be loaded, each team as fast as its mules are shod. You will forward to Lieutenant-Colonel West 20,000 rounds of ammunition for the rifle muskets, 10,000 rounds of ammunition for the Sharps carbines; 5,000 rounds for the navy revolvers. You will forward the wagon load of manta which goes with McDonald’s train, the pemmican, the hospital stores about which Surgeon McNulty writes to Assirtant Surgeon Meacham by this express, and forward the wagon load of tents in MeDonald’s train. The remainder of the loading of McDonald’s train must be made up of subsistence stores in due proportion, one article with another. The day following that on which McDonald’s last wagons reach Fort Yuma, Captain Cremony’s company will reach Fort Yuma, followed by Winston’s train of thirty-one wagons in two divisions a day apart. These will be filled in like manper, except that Winston’s train will be loaded with subsistence stores in due proportion. Shirland will escort McDonald’s train, starting as soon as the last of that train has crossed the river, and Cremony will escort Winston’s, starting as soon as Winston’s last wagon has crossed the river. This operation will consume six days’ time, when other troops and wagons will come, of which you will receive timely notice. Have the animals fed liberally while at Yuma. The teams ought to haul, starting from there, say 3,000 or 3,500 pounds each, some horseshoes, muleshoes, horseshoe nails, the forge with McDonald; the forge with Shirland (if he has one) should be forwarded. There must be no mistake in all this. Give the subject your personal supervision. I regret you separated those howitzers from the command under Captain Calloway. I trust no accident will befall them.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,