HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF OREGON,
Fort Vancouver, Wash. Ter., January 20, 1865.

Major General RICHARD DELAFIELD,

Commanding Corps of Enginneers, Washington City, D. C.:

(Though Headquarters Department of the Pacific.)

GENERAL: I write this letter to recommend that an appropriation be obtained for the erection of defenses at Point Defiance and Gig Harbor, opposite, on Puget Sound, Wash. Ter. It was surveyed and a military reservation made there on the 9the of October, 1860, by Lieutenant T. L. Casey, of the Corps of Engineers. I think that Major Ten. I. McDowell, commanding the department, who inspected last August the site, will report in favor of its being fortified. Having often traversed the waters of the sound, I have always condidered it the most eligible point for a fortification. I shall send this through headquarters Department of the Pacific.

I am, with high respect, you obedient servant,

BENJ. ALVORD,

Brigadier-General, U. S. Volunteers, Commanding District.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMET OF THE PACIFIC,
San Francisco, January 21, 1865.

Honorable E. M. STANTON,

Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.:

SIR: I see from the public papers that the question of San Juan Island is soon to be taken up for settlement, and think it may not be amiss to send herewith, as I do, a copy of my letter* of September 8, [1864] (by my aide, Captain Haven), to General Alvord on the subject of the jurisdiction at this time maintained on the island by the U. S. military authorities.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,

IRVIN McDOWELL,

Major-General, Commanding Department

[First indorsement.

WAR DEPARTMENT,

February 16, 1865.

Referred to the Chief of Staff for remarks.

By order of the Secretary of War:

C. A. DANA,

Assistant Secretary of War.

[Second indorsement.]

FEBRUARY 18, 1865.

I think these instructions are very proper.

H. W. HALLECK,

Major-General and Chief of Staff.

[Third indorsement.]

WAR DEPARTMENT, February 20, 1865.

Referred to the Adjutant-General to inform General McDowell that the views of the Chief of Staff of the Army are approved by this Department.

By order of the Secretary of War:

C. A. DANA,

Assistant Secretary of War.

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* See Haven to Alvord, September 8, p. 972.

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