William W. Mackall to Edmund Underwood, March 25, 1861

Capt. EDMUND UNDERWOOD, Fourth Infantry, U. 8S. Army, Commanding Fort Gaston, Cal. : SIR: Brigadier-General Johnston directs you to send two detachments, under non-commissioned officers, of eighteen men, to the region of the country between the Coast Range and the coast watered by the Eel River and tributaries and South Fork of the Trinity. Direct these non-commissioned officers to keep their detachments in motion and give all the protection in their power to the inhabitants, their stock, and property against the predatory Indians. Should they find that any depredations have been committed, or should any be committed while they are in the country, they will endeavor to ascertain the party or parties, and then pursue them with the greatest activity, and when found, punish them with the utmost severity. These detachments will remain in the field until further orders, and should never remain in the same camp more than two or three days at atime. Should they come in the vicinity of the officers now in command of detachments in that region, they will report to them and combine their operations under their orders. I am, sir,

very respectfully, your obedient servant,