WM. W. Stuart, March 25, 1862

MAJOR: I have the honor to report the result of a reconnaissance made by me from the fort to Crescent City to ascertain the practicability of opening a trail passable for pack-animals, and until the trail is in fit condition for travel I shall be under the necessity of paying 6 cents per pound for freight. The Klamath will be impassable for anything larger than a canoe for some time. From the fort to the Halfway House a large amount of labor will be required to open the trail, and until the invoice of quartermaster’s property, &c. (supposed to be en route), shall have arrived, but little can be done. As there is but about twenty days’ subsistence on hand, the stores will have to be purchased in Crescent City until a supply arrives. The post is at the present time a very expensive one, and it will require an immense amount of labor and material to rebuild. Nothing can be done, even should authority be given, until orders are given to purchase material or they are received from the deputy quartermaster-general in San Francisco.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,