CHAPTER III.
ORDERED TO FORT READING, CAL .-- A DANGEROUS UNDERTAKING--A RESCUED SOLDIER--DISCOVERING INDIANS--PRIMITIVE FISHING--A DESERTED VILLAGE--CAMPING OPPOSITE FORT VANCOUVER.
In November, 1854, I received my promotion to a second lieutenancy in the Fourth Infantry, which was stationed in California and Oregon.

In order to join my company at Fort Reading, California, I had to go to New York as a starting point, and on arrival there, was placed on duty, in May, 1855, in command of a detachment of recruits at Bedloe's Island, intended for assignment to the regiments on the Pacific coast.

I think there were on the island (now occupied by the statue of Liberty Enlightening the World) about three hundred recruits.

For a time I was the only officer with them, but shortly before we started for California, Lieutenant Francis H.Bates, of the Fourth Infantry, was placed in command.

We embarked for the Pacific coast in July, 1855, and made the journey without incident via the Isthmus of Panama, in due time landing our men at Benecia Barracks, above San Francisco.
From this point I proceeded to join my company at Fort Reading, and on reaching that post, found orders directing me to relieve Lieutenant John B.Hood--afterward well known as a distinguished general in the Confederate service.