14 SAN DIEGO TO 
guished him, at once acceded to my request, and gave 
me an order on the commanding officers at San Diego 
and Fort Yuma to furnish me with such a force as they 
deemed necessary. 
It was from Benicia that we were to take the road 
to Napa Valley. On making known to General Hitch- 
cock my desire to visit the Geysers, he kindly furnished 
me with horses and a pack-mule for the purpose. To 
Major Allen, the Quarter-master, I am also indebted 
for his promptness in facilitating the wishes of myself — 
and party in our proposed trip, and for sending me a 
trusty man. 
March 19th. Our horses, mule, and attendant were 
promptly at the door by 7 o'clock; and after break- 
fast we took our departure. Proceeding along the 
shores of the bay, we passed the great projected city 
of Vallejo, the once intended capital of the State. It 
now stands naked and alone, its large houses tenant- 
less. As the capital of California it might have become 
a place of importance ; but without such factitious aid 
there is nothing to build it. 
Here we entered Napa Valley. The hills on both 
sides as well as the valley were covered with a luxu- 
riant growth of wild oats, and immense herds of cattle 
were roaming about feasting on them. Wild flowers 
of varied hues were thickly scattered around, and every 
thing showed that the heavy and continued rains had 
given new life to vegetation. Our course was now a 
northerly one, directly up the valley. Napa Creek, 
which we saw at a distance, makes up it, and affords 
sufficient water for small vessels, several of which we 
saw gliding up. The valley soon became perfectly — 
