WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE,

Washington, December 26, 1863.

Brigadier General GEORGE WRIGHT, U. S. Volunteers,

Commanding Department of the Pacific, San Francisco, Cal.:

SIR: The communication of Brigadier-General Alvord of November 6, 1863, requesting that an office of engineers and an officer of artillery be detailed for duty at the headquarters District of Oregon, and your request that a like detail be made for service at the headquarters Department of the Pacific, have been submitted to the General-in-Chief, who directs me to say, in reply, that there are no officers of engineers or artillery who can be spared for service with the district or department in question.

I am, sir, &c.,

E. D. TOWNSEND,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE PACIFIC, Numbers 286.
San Francisco, Cal., December 26, 1863.

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4. As soon as the quartermaster's department can procure the necessary transportation, Captain J. R. Pico's company of Native California Cavalry will proceed to Fort Humboldt for duty in the District of Humboldt.

By order of Brigadier-General Wright:

RICHD. C. DRUM,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE PACIFIC,

San Francisco, Cal., December 26, 1863.

Lieutenant Colonel E. B. BABBITT,

Deputy Quartermaster-General, San Francisco, Cal.:

SIR: The general commanding has directed the commanding officer of the District of Southern California to take possession of the island off San Pedro Bay, known as Santa Catalina, and to place thereon one company of infantry (Captain West's, Fourth Infantry California Colunteers). The general desires you to give the necessary instructions for the erection of temporary quarters for the above-named force on the island.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

R. C. DRUM,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE PACIFIC,
San Francisco, December 26, 1863.

Lieutenant Colonel S. G. WHIPPLE,

Battalion Mounatineers, Commanding District of Humboldt:

SIR: Frequent complaint is made of depredations committed by bands of Indians on the Klamath River north of Fort Gaston. To protect the settlers in that quarters and punish these marauders, the general commanding desires you to give affairs in the section referred to your