Wine™d S. Hancock to and Assistant Quartermaster, May 7, 1861

ASSISTANT QUARTERMASTER’S OFFICE,
Los Angeles, Cal., May 7, 1861.
Maj. W. W. MACKALL, Asst. Adjt. Gen., Hdqrs. Dept. of the Pacific, San Francisco, Cal.: MAJOR: I have the honor to report that a site tor an encampment for the troops has been selected, which will be assigned to them unless it is not approved by the general commanding. It is outside of the town, beyond all buildings some distance, and directly in front of my corral, and in full view of it. Iam putting up store-tents in the corral and will remove all the public property from the present store-house, so that there will be but one point to guard. The troops will be half a mile distant therefrom or less and on the side of the town toward San Pedro. Water will be hauled to the troops by water carts, for which facilities are at hand, as the town is supplied in that manner. The horses will have to be ridden about half a mile to water. But the advantage is that you do not have to pass through the town to get to the point to be protected, which would be the case were they encamped along the river above the town. With the troops placed as proposed there would probably be no necessity of having more than a picket guard of three men in my corral, and they only at night. Possibly they would not be required at any time, as the troops would have entire command of the corral from that point. I do not think that there will be serious trouble here soon. Still a command of troops under good discipline stationed near the town would be well enough, judging from recent developments. No good citizen would be interfered with, and their presence is desired by many of the population. The “bear flag” was paraded through the streets of El Monte (twelve miles eastward) on the 4th instant, and was escorted by a number of horsemen, varying (according to the reports) from forty to seventy, most probably the former. It was understood that it would be paraded here the next day. It was not. Then it was said that it would be on the subsequent day (yesterday, the day of the municipal election). I was prepared for it. It was not attempted, however. The “bear flag” is being painted here, and I think it will be paraded soon, possibly next Sunday, or some other day when the company, known here as the secession company, drills. I have taken all the precautions possible and that I think necessary, and I believe I can get all the assistance I require, until the troops arrive, from among the citizens to resist any open attack upon the public property (but I do not think they are ready for such an attempt). The leaders in politics among those who have sympathies antagonistic to the Government, and the principal citizens, do not wish to see force used (they are men of property), and oppose carrying matters to extremities; yet the open expression of their opinions has helped to inaugurate disaffection. Since it has been thought wise to send troops here, a sufficient number to have a strong moral effect should be sent, and it would be better that a show should be made at once, since it is known that it is to be made at all. It would be better, I think, even were it to be but a temporary matter, that the dragoons (with at least a piece of artillery) should be at hand. When once a revolution commences the masses of the native population will act, and they are worthy of a good deal of consideration. If they act it will be most likely against the Government. I am, sir,

very respectfully your obedient servant,

WINE’D S. HANCOCK,
Captain and Assistant Quartermaster.
Los ANGELES, May 7, 1861.
Maj. W. W. MACKALL:
The “bear flag” was raised at El Monte, twelve miles distant, on the
4th instant. The escort was, say, forty horsemen. I have, I believe,
reliable evidence that it will be raised here on Sunday, the 12th
instant—that is, that flag will be paraded through our streets under