Today in History:

532 Series I Volume L-I Serial 105 - Pacific Part I

Page 532 OPERATIONS ON THE PACIFIC COAST. Chapter LXII.

AGENCY PACIFIC MAIL STEAMSHIP COMPANY,

San Francisco, July 10, 1861.

General SUMNER, U. S. Army,

Commanding Pacific Department, San Francisco:

SIR: The president of the Pacific Mail Stemship Company has directed us to make application to you for the loan of four light 32-pounder guns, to be placed on our steamers in active service between this port and Panama. They are intended as an additional defensive arament over and their present one, which is of light caliber. With the large guns we would require a small amount of suitable ammunitaion for them, as none of the desired size can be procured here outside of the Government supply.

Asking a reply to this communication at your earliest convenience, we remain, very respectfully, you obedient servants,

FORBES & BABCOCK.


HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE PACIFIC,
San Francisco, July 10, 1861.

Messrs. FORBES & BACOCK,

Agents Pacific Mail Steamship Company, San Francisco, Cal.:

GENTLEMEN: I am directed by the general commanding the department to inform you, in reply to your letter of this date, requesting the loan of four 32-pounder guns, that instructions will be given the ordnance officer at Benicia Arsenal to furnish on application the guns and a sufficent amount of ammunition for the protection of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company's vessels.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

RICHD. C. DRUM,

Assistnt Adjutnt-General.

CAMP ON MAD RIVER, CAL., July 10, 1861.

Sergeant HARTMAN,

Fourth Infantry, Commanding Detachment:

Attack no more Indians except for depredations actually committed, and then endeavor to attack only the parties which committed the deredations. Be careful to kill no women or children. Take no women or children prisoners, but let them go. When you release Indians try to make them understand that they are punished because they molest the whites, and the if they do no mischief they will not be harmed.

By order of General Sumner:

D. C. BUELL,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Acting Inspector-General.


HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE PAIFIC,
San Francisco, July 11, 1861.

Captain WILLIAM H. GARDNER,

Commanding Navy-Yard, Mare Island, Cal.:

CAPTAIN: I have received an order to act in concert with the Navy in preventing the secessionists from getting a foothold in Lower California. I have written to Commodore Montgomery on the subject, and


Page 532 OPERATIONS ON THE PACIFIC COAST. Chapter LXII.