O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME L/1 [S# 105]
Union And Confederate Correspondence, Orders, And Returns Relating To Operations On The Pacific Coast, January 1, 1861, To June 30, 1862.(*)--#3
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE PACIFIC,
San Francisco, Cal, May 10, 1861.
Lieut. Col. E. D. TOWNSEND,
Assistant Adjutant-General, U.S. Army
Headquarters Army, Washington, D.C.
SIR: I have the honor to report that I have found it necessary to withdraw Brevet Major Carleton's company of dragoons from Fort Tejon and to place it at Los Angeles. This will give a command at the latter place of one company of horse and two of infantry. The detachment will be commanded by Major Carleton. I have also to report the arrival of three companies of artillery from Oregon. The battery will take post at the depot at Benicia, and the two foot companies at Fort Alcatraz. I have informed Captain McDougal, the commander of the navy-yard, that, if he does not feel perfectly secure and wishes any further protection, I will place a company of artillery there. Captain Burton has been assigned to the command at Fort Alcatraz.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
E.V. SUMNER,
Brigadier-General, U. S. Army, Commanding.
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O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME L/1 [S# 105]
Union And Confederate Correspondence, Orders, And Returns Relating To Operations On The Pacific Coast, January 1, 1861, To June 30, 1862.(*)--# 20
HDQRS. FIRST WASHINGTON TERRITORY INFANTRY,
San Francisco, Cal., March 1, 1862.
Maj. R. C. DRUM,
Assistant Adjutant-General, U. S. Army,
Hdqrs. Department of the Pacific, San Francisco, Cal.:
SIR: I have the honor to report that in accordance with directions of the commanding general, under date of 8th of February, the headquarters of my regiment were established in this city, and on that day company officers were selected for four companies, and authority given to recruit in this city. Since that time I have authorized a detachment of forty men to be recruited, also have an applicant for a first lieutenancy, and have given authority for one company to be raised in the counties of Alameda, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz, in this State. From the companies authorized to be raised, one on Puget Sound, Washington Territory, by R. V. Peabody, and two east of the Cascade Mountains, by I. W. Cannady and F. Moore, I have received no intelligence since my last communication with your headquarters. The depot for recruits directed by the commanding general at Fort Alcatraz has been established, and subordinate to the commanding officer at that post is in charge of First Lieut. W. F. Mason, mustered into service with the first detachment of forty men. Accompanying is transmitted monthly return of officers and men already received and mustered into service. As permitted by the general commanding, Maj. C. H. Rumrill has been mustered into service, and is now on duty at these headquarters. Lieut. Col. James Tilton, appointed since my last communication, I have requested to repair to this city to be mustered into service and assist in the organization of the regiment. The regimental staff officers have not yet been appointed, although I am in treaty with applicants for all the positions. Their services are much needed, even now, in the commencement of the formation of the regiment, and the appointments are only deferred to insure the acquirement of proper persons for these important places. The plan adopted for the organization of the companies authorized in this State is to receive the recruits as they are presented by the different captains, have them examined by the medical officer, mustered into service, and at once sent to the depot. They are there formed into skeleton companies, each set of company officers credited with their own men enlisted, and awaiting the completion of company organization. It is an express stipulation in all the authorizations given in this State that the minimum standard of eighty men be reached by the 1st day of April next. The men of company organizations not completed by that time become forfeited to the Government, and may be assigned as the interests of the regiment demand. Application is made by numerous persons in different parts of the State for authority to raise men for this regiment, and unless the next mail steamer from the north brings intelligence that would show prospects of procuring men in the District of Oregon beyond the requirements of the three companies now forming there, it is my intention to provide here for the remaining two and a half companies.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JUSTUS STEINBERGER,
Colonel, Commanding.
[Translation. ]
ALTAR, March 2, 1862.
Señor Don ANDRES PICO,
Los Angeles, Cal.:
MY ESTEEMED FRIEND: To-day is the fourth day since I received, at the mines of Lowrie, your appreciated favor of February 13, having been sent forward by an express which Don Diego dispatched from Fort Yuma. I could have answered it immediately, but as I had to be absent some days from this town, I concluded to delay it until my return, hoping by the delay to gather some information on the points you desire, but nothing new has occurred since then. There was a rumor in some places that a force of Texans, numbering 100, had arrived for the purpose of joining with the force now in Arizona, and that they had. hostile views toward Sonora. In consequence of this the Governor took precautions and ordered the National Guard at --as
well as those at San -- and likewise those on the frontiers, that they should keep a strict watch upon all persons, so as to avoid a surprise. Since that date up to the present time no such attempt has been made by the force referred to. Nevertheless we will remain at Alaya, notwithstanding that in my judgment their attempts will be merely intentional. By letters not long since received from Mesilla it is announced that a force had arrived from the Southern United States with the object of occupying the Territory of Arizona and protecting it from the incursions of the Apaches, but I repeat that nothing has occurred up to date. We know positively that the small force which I said was on the march was attacked and totally destroyed by another of New Mexico belonging to the North. No other news have we received which merits credence. A small force halted at the Point San Pedro for some days, but, as I said, they returned without advancing a step farther, and even without entering Tucson or other populated places. This is all of which I can inform you with any certainty. If anything should occur hereafter I will communicate it to you as soon as I can find means. We feel deeply the interest which yourself and friends entertain for the well-being of our Sonora, and trust that occasion will not fail to give some proof of our gratitude. I could say something relative to the war waged by foreigners upon Mexico, and also
about Sonora, but I omit doing so because by the time you receive this you will receive information from Señor Don Francisco P. Ramirez, who has set out for your city, and he will instruct you fully upon the true condition of this country. Do me the favor to salute affectionately Don Francisco Valle and all my friends in your city, and all of you I hold in the affection of your friend,
JOSÉ M. REDONDO.
I inclose two papers.(*)
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O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME L/1 [S# 106]
Union And Confederate Correspondence, Orders, And Returns Relating To Operations On The Pacific Coast From July 1, 1862, To June 30, 1865.(*)--#5
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE PACIFIC,
San Francisco, Cal., September 12, 1862.
Lieut. Col. HARVEY LEE,
Fourth Infantry California Volunteers,
Commanding Benicia Barracks, Benicia, Cal.:
SIR: You will please read and hand the inclosed letter as directed. The department commander desires you to let the people understand generally that the order of the President suspending the writ of habeas corpus and directing the arrest of all persons guilty of disloyal practices will be rigidly enforced. Those of them who are leading secessionists will be confined at Alcatraz; those who may happen to be drunken brawlers, or if no account, will be confined iii your guardhouse unless they take the oath of allegiance. Practices injurious to the Government or offensive to the loyal sentiment of the people will under no circumstances be permitted.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. C. DRUM,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
[ Inclosure. ]
General WRIGHT, U. S. Army,
Comdg. Dept. of the Pacific, Headquarters at San Francisco:
SIR: We, the undersigned, loyal citizens of the United States of America, knowing that in the town of Benicia and vicinity there are persons, who, residing among loyal citizens, at every opportunity, on the reverses met by the Union forces, express their feelings in favor of the rebels, vindicating loudly their cause against the General Government, it is therefore asked of you, as the commanding officer of the Pacific Department, that you empower, or have stationed in our midst, a guard whose duty it would be to arrest those whom either they hear or is made known to them of uttering treasonable sentiments against our Government. This freedom of speech should not be tolerated. These secret workers in disloyalty should be stopped. Either remove them from the loyal sod or place them within the confines of Fort Alcatraz, beneath the emblem of our beloved country--thus the air will not be polluted by the expression of their treasonable designs. We leave the above to you. By enforcing the same you will meet with the approval of a large body of loyal citizens in our midst, and in duty bound we will ever pray.
JOHN M. NEVILLE,
Sheriff of Solano County;
C. J. FLATT,
J. W. SANBORN,
JOHN BRENNAN,
J. M. JONES, P.M.,
HENRY MORTIMER RICH, J. T. HOUGHTON,
[AND MANY OTHER CITIZENS OF SOLANO COUNTY.]
O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME L/1 [S# 106]
Union And Confederate Correspondence, Orders, And Returns Relating To Operations On The Pacific Coast From July 1, 1862, To June 30, 1865.(*)--#13
COMMANDANT'S OFFICE NAVY-YARD,
Mare Island, Cal., February 17, 1863.
Brig. Gen. G. WRIGHT,
Comdg. Military Department, Headquarters San Francisco, Cal.:
SIR: I have the honor to inform you that the Cyane, soon expected from sea, has been ordered to remain at San Francisco for defensive service beyond the range of the guns of Fort Alcatraz until relieved by some other vessel. I would respectfully suggest, for the protection of the city of San Francisco, or that part uncovered by the guns of Alcatraz, that earth-works be thrown up on Yerba Buena Island and a battery of guns planted on Point Rincon. This would bring a cross fire on any vessel which might get past Alcatraz on the city side. In connection with this subject, allow me to advise that the collector of the port of San Francisco have all inward-bound steamers boarded under the guns of Fort Point. This would effectually preclude the possibility of any steamer getting in under false colors.
I remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
THOS. O. SELFRIDGE,
Commandant.
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O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME L/1 [S# 106]
Union And Confederate Correspondence, Orders, And Returns Relating To Operations On The Pacific Coast From July 1, 1862, To June 30, 1865.(*)--#22
USTOM-HOUSE, SAN FRANCISCO,
Collector's Office, July 25, 1863.
General GEORGE WRIGHT,
Sacramento:
SIR: I have been waited on by many of our best citizens to consult about the condition of our present harbor defenses. I find a good deal of apprehension is felt by the thinking men in this community for the safety of our city in ease an armed rebel vessel should make its appearance on this coast, a thing which is not at all improbable. They suggest that batteries should be placed on Lime Point, Black Point, and Angel Island, protected by earthworks, which could be done quickly and cheaply, and at the same time would be an effective auxiliary to Fort Point and the fort at Alcatraz Island. The suggestions seem to me to be very forcible, and I deem it a matter of the highest importance that we should take every precaution to guard against the probability
of a successful invasion by sea. I take the liberty to lay this subject before you for your consideration, and if not too much trouble I would be glad to get your views on the subject. If you will be in this city soon I would be glad to know when you are in town, so that I may call upon you and confer personally about it.
In haste, yours, truly,
F. F. LOW.
O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME L/1 [S# 106]
Union And Confederate Correspondence, Orders, And Returns Relating To Operations On The Pacific Coast From July 1, 1862, To June 30, 1865.(*)--#26
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE PACIFIC,
San Francisco, Cal., October 5, 1863.
Capt. WILLIAM A. WINDER,
Third Artillery, Commanding Fort Alcatraz:
SIR: The department commander desires you to make a special and full report as to the matter of firing certain signal guns from Alcatraz on the arrival of tier Britannic Majesty's ship Sutlej in this harbor.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. C. DRUM,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
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O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME L/1 [S# 106]
Union And Confederate Correspondence, Orders, And Returns Relating To Operations On The Pacific Coast From July 1, 1862, To June 30, 1865.(*)--#49
ENGINEER DEPARTMENT,
Washington, April 18, 1865.
Maj. Gen. IRVIN McDowELL,
Comdg. Department of the Pacific, San Francisco, Cal.:
GENERAL: Your letter of the 21st ultimo, requesting that the fort on Alcatraz Island be named Fort McPherson, and fort at Fort Point, Fort Reno, is received. The Secretary of War has had the subject of naming these, as well as other forts, under his attention for some time past, and has not as yet informed me of his determination in relation thereto.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
RICHD. DELAFIELD,
General and Chief Engineer.
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