Unknown to R. C. Drum, September 9, 1861

Capt. R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant-General :

CAPTAIN: After executing Major Ketchum’s instructions, reported to you in my letter of the 31st ultimo, I started for Holcomb Valley on the evening of the 5th instant, with a company of infantry in addition to my force, but the information which I received during the night of the 5th and morning of the 6th determined me to retrace my steps and move in all haste to Los Angeles. The deserters had gotten news of my march. My examination of the road proved it to be far more difficult for troops than had been reported, and the prosecution of the trip would have involved some eight more days’ absence from Los Angeles than I anticipated. Both the marshal and myself agreed that more important interests might be periled at Los Angeles during such absence than good could possibly be done. The information was to the effect that the secessionists had been leaving Holcomb Valley in small parties— where to was unknown; that the design was to concentrate and rob the valleys of San Bernardino and Los Angeles; that the point of concentration was on the Mojave, where some had already arrived; that these parties after concentrating were to move into Sonora; that they were in correspondence with one Ramirez, formerly editor of the Clamor Publico, in this county, and who now edits a paper either in Hermosillo or Guaymas; that provisions were being put on the road to Warner’s ranch for them, and that one of their expressmen had stated at a station on the road to Holcomb that matters were getting ripe in Los Angeles; that the commanding officer there was all right. (To whom this referred I do not know, but the report would do them as much good as the fact.) These things, weighed with the withdrawal of the two infantry companies from Los Angeles, determined me to return at once, and I sincerely hope the general will approve the step. I arrived here on the Sth. Bryant left on the 9th. The day of the election at San Bernardino I was directed by Major Ketchum to keep my squadron in hand near town to repress disorder, and not to leave until after the polls were closed. At sundown I drove up alone to the polls in a buggy, having been ill all day, and asked the inspector if they were closed. He replied that in a few minutes he would announce it. Meantime many persons gathered around my buggy (there were 200 or 300 people still near the polls), having sticks in their hands, and commenced shouting: ” Hurrah for sons hadrevolvers. One of them said that if the Union men felt themselves stronger there that day, they could beat them robbing and burning any day. Irose up in my buggy and called the attention of the people to the fact that there were men in their midst who openly avowed themselyes robbers and house-burners, and gave comfort and heart to the enemies of the country by their shouts, and then turning through the crowd I drove over one man I believe, went down to my camp about 300 yards off, where the squadron was standing to horse, and brought up a platoon of dragoons, and riding into the crowd, stated that I would seize any one who uttered the same cry named above. I told them that free discussion was one thing, and the utterance of treasonable language another; that these men had expressed their opinions in the ballot-box that day, but that openly hurrahing for the Southern Confederacy was seditious, and I, as a Federal officer, was bound to put it down. The Union men, who up to this time had not opened their mouths, then cheered the Federal Government, the Jeff. Davis men slunk away from the crowd, and during the revulsion of feeling I marched my men away. It was a novel position. I hope it will be approved, but I felt I must submit to the defiance and dishearten the Union men, or take the bull by the horns and show them that such conduct will not be, I trust, tolerated in this State. Please write me if I amcorrect. I am sadly off for at least one intelligent, earnest officer in this squadron. Cannot one be sent down? It is my bounden duty to inform the general that, if anything should occur to me, the squadron would fall into indifferent hands. I am, captain, your most obedient servant, JNO. W. DAVIDSON, Captain, First Dragoons, Commanding.

STATE OF California, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Sacramento, September 10, 1861.

GENERAL: I have organized the regiments as follows in annexed schedule,* and fixed their regimental headquarters. I trust it will meet your approval, as I am sure the appointments and localities to which they are assigned will promote the speedy completion of the force called for by the Department. If the field officers can be authorized to examine the officers of the companies it would greatly facilitate matters, as captains and lieutenants cannot well afford to visit San Francisco upon a contingency of their passing the board. The regiments are now arranged as you desired, with the exception of Lieut. John Kellogg, and I had to make this change in the programme on account of your desiring the appointment of Capt. A. J. Smith to command the Second Cavalry Regiment. It has taken some time to make the selection, but there is nothing lost by it, and I doubt exceedingly if there be in the service of the United States, among the volunteers called into active duty, a better officered expedition.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,