William E. Hull, April 24, 1864

Respectfully forwarded for information of department commander. Great credit is due Captain Hull and his command for activity and energy displayed. H. M. BLACK, Colonel Sixth Infantry California Volunteers, Commanding.

CAMP No, 25, Coast Range Mountains, Mendocino County, Cal., April 15, 1864.

SIR: I have the honor to transmit the following report of the movements of a scouting detachment of Company D, Second Infantry California Volunteers, under my command, commencing on the 1st and ending on the 15th instant, viz:

April 1, Sergeant Maguire and six privates proceeded with seven women and three children (Indian captives) to Camp Grant, and returned here on the Sth instant, having traveled a distance of 104 miles. Sergeant Maguire states that one woman and child succeeded in making their escape on the way to their destination, notwithstanding the strictest vigilance was kept by the party; that during the time they were out they experienced very stormy weather and much snow had fallen. Met with no fresh Indian signs. April 3, Sergeant Winn, one corporal and three privates proceeded on scout to Bell Cañon, Island Mountain, and returned on the 4th instant. Traveled a distance of twenty-five miles; also on the 3d instant Sergeant Wheeler and four privates proceeded on scout to Blue Rock Cañon and returned on the 4th instant both parties driven in by severity of snow-storm. Saw no fresh Indian signs on either route. April 5, 6, 7, and 8, much snow lying on the hill, consequent difficulty in traveling. April 9, I proceeded this day with one sergeant, one corporal, and six privates, one packer and two mules in a westerly direction toward the coast and scouted carefully along the South Fork of Kel River, its tributaries, and through the different little valleys where Indians were likely to be found, taking care to travel under cover of night. Returned to camp on the 12th instant without finding any Indians or fresh signs. Traveled during this scout a distance of about sixty miles. April 13, I proceeded ‘this day with one sergeant and six privates to Middle Fork of Eel River, which is much swollen and cannot at present be forded. Gradual melting snow on the mountains at the head of this stream will keep it up for some time. Scouted in this neighborhood a distance of forty-five miles, and returned to camp this day without seeing any Indians or fresh signs. The whole of these scouts were supposed to be within the limits of Mendocino County. My first object now will be to build a canoe capable of carrying provisions and ferrying my men across the Middle Fork of Hel River, and following up the remainder of the band of Indians referred to in my last report, who have no doubt escaped across this river, taking with them their wounded, of which there were several. I beg to add that I must give but an estimated distance of miles traveled in each scout, but the figures are placed under rather than over.

very respectfully, your obedient servant,