HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA. 495 



their march to the department with the collector of 

 this district and the Arkansas emigrants, have not 

 yet arrived. During the months of July and August, 

 so far as reports have been received, there were but 

 few desertions, except from the company detailed for 

 the escort of Captain Warner, topographical engineers ; 

 thirty-four men, more than half the whole number 

 reported, have deserted from this company. The 

 entire force in the department at this time does not 

 probably exceed six hundred and fifty, (aggregate ;) 

 and consequently more than four hundred recruits are 

 now required to fill up these companies to the standard 

 authorized for this department. 



A detailed report of my reconnoissance in the val- 

 leys of the San Joaquin and Sacramento will be for- 

 warded by the next steamer. I have delayed it in 

 order to embody in it information in regard to the 

 country in the neighborhood of the Tula, which I am 

 in the daily expectation of receiving. 



The want of company officers is very much felt ; and 

 I request that authority may be given me to break up 

 the companies whose captains are permanently absent, 

 transferring the officers to other companies, as their 

 services may be needed. 



I have the honor to be, very respectfully, colonel, 

 your obedient servant, * 



B. RILEY, 

 Brevet Brigadier-General U. S. Army, commanding, 



Lieut. Col. W. G. Freeman, 



. Assistant Adjutant G-eneral TJ. 8. Army, 



Headquarters of the Army, New York. 



