Unknown to R. W. Kirkham, U. S. Army, October 29, 1861

Capt. R. W. KIRKHAM, U. S. Army, Commissary of Subsistence, San Francisco, Cal. : Colonel Buchanan wants 12,000 rations pork and hard bread put on steamer that takes his command from San Pedro. Send by Senator 40,000 rations subsistence stores for troops in this district. NoTE.—Captain Ketchum, commanding at San Pedro, wrote to the undersigned a letter to which the foregoing is a reply, but afterward the undersigned concluded to send for the rations, fearing the troops might need them. The following is the basis of the calculation: Colonel Buchanan’s command, October 13, 71; Captain Davidson’s command October 13, 113; Major Ketchum’s command, October 20, 350; total strength, 534; round numbers, to include laundresses, servants, &c., 600; for twenty days, 12,000,

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF SOUTHERN California,