United States Army Captain Samuel P. Heintzelman…
November 1850 CE
Apparently successful, the captain had returned to Vallecitos where he began preparing for his new orders, which are to establish a post at Yuma Crossing to protect the area from outlaws and hostile natives.
The column, thinned by desertions of soldiers to the goldfields, had left San Diego on October 3, 1850 with about one hundred men of the 2nd Infantry while a fourth company marched to build a post with a warehouse at Vallecitos, as a supply depot for the Yuma post
The expedition reached Yuma Crossing on November 27, and begins the construction of Camp Yuma, at this time just a camp of tents, a hospital and an orchard.
American forces include ninety-two enlisted men, two officers and a medical officer for the hospital.
Heintzelman's command is supplied via steamship from California, through the California Gulf and up the Colorado to the fort.
This is difficult, however, due to the Colorado's strong current and by the time the steamships can make it all the way around Baja California, they have to manage the Colorado, which takes time.
Thus, the Californians will have to rely on supplies sent overland, which will be difficult as well but prove to be successful.
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