Unknown to J. Steinberger, May 19, 1862

Col. J. STEINBERGER, Commanding the District of Oregon, Vancouver, Wash. Ter.:

COLONEL: I submit to your consideration the follows facts and statements relative to the movement of my regiment across the Cascade range of mountains by the emigrant road, the only route of possible le md travel before September, which route, on account of the depth of snow and high water, could not be traveled before the middle of July, and then would be ac ecomplished with great difficulty. I estimate the ways and means of trausportation by this route to The Dalles as follows, viz: Forage, which on account of there being no grass upon the route would be absolutely necessary for ten days, for 500 horses and 400 mules, 96,000 pounds of barley at 2 cents, $1,920; for hire of 400 pack anim tals, which would be required for the transportation of forage and subsistence for the regiment ten days, at $2 per day, $8,000; total, $9,920. I would also state that the thousands of miners pr oceeding to the northern mines this spring with pack trains going light, in no instance have they deemed the Toute possible or practicable for travel, and would ask if a route discarded by miners as impracticable could be traveled with safety and economy by a military force.

Colonel First Cavalry Oregon “olunteer TS

ADJUTANT-GENERAL’S OFFICE,

Washington, May 21, 1862.

San Francisco, Cal. : The Secretary of War directs you to order Major Burton, Third

Artillery, to report in person at this office without delay.

San Francisco, Cal., May 21, 1862. GEORGE M. Hanson, Esq., Superintendent of Indian Afairs, Northern District of California, San Francisco, Cal. :

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication dated cn the 20th instant. I have this day sent an order to Col. F. J. Lippitt, Second Infantry California Volunteers, commanding the District of Humboldt, to take immediate steps to carry out your wishes. A copy of your letter has been forwarded to Colonel Lippitt.

Very respectfully, your most obedient servant,