could only be moved in detachments.

Companies K and C, First Infantry, and Company G, Fifth Infantry,
Captain Hugh L. Hinds, left Captain Latham about the first of March,
1862, under command of Captain William McMullen, of Company C, and
arrived at Camp Wright in due season, it being about one hundred and
forty miles. The only incident on this march worthy of mention was, that
when the battalion marched through the town of Los Angeles the American
flag had been hauled down from the court house. As it was well known
that the people of Los Angeles at that time were nearly all strong in
their sympathies with the rebellion, it was thought that the hauling
down of the flag was to insult the command. Consequently, on the arrival
of the battalion on the banks of the Los Angeles river, which flows on
the eastern side of the town, it was halted and Captain McMullen
returned, and, finding some of the town officials, insisted that the
flag should be hoisted immediately. The citizens denied any intended
insult to the flag, and proceeded to replace it, which being seen by the
men of the battalion, they gave three cheers, and continued on their
way.

A delay of a couple of weeks at Camp Wright, when orders were received
by Lieutenant Colonel J. R. West, of the First Infantry, commanding at
Camp Wright, to organize the advance detachment of the "Column," to
consist of Companies K and C, First Infantry, California Volunteers, and
Companies B and G, Fifth Infantry, California Volunteers, and proceed
without delay to Fort Yuma. The command as above constituted left camp
at a late hour in the afternoon, and after a short march made camp
beside a laguna, or pond. It rained during the night, and daylight found
us at breakfast, which was quickly dispatched, and we were soon on our
march, the road continually ascending. At nine o'clock in the forenoon
we had reached the line of snow, where it was snowing heavily. At noon
we had reached the summit, and found the snow about two feet in depth,
and as cold as Greenland. A short halt was made, when great fires were
built to warm the men, and then the command moved down the mountain. At
three o'clock in the afternoon we passed through the line of snow,
shortly after through the precipitous canon of San Felipe, and towards
evening went into camp, the grass being more than knee high, the air
redolent with the perfume of flowers and the sweet melody of the birds.

A short march the next day brough