February 16, 1864 (Tuesday): Pacific Duty

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF OREGON,
Fort Vancouver, Wash. Ter., February 16, 1864.
Captain W. H. JORDAN,
Ninth Infantry, U. S. Army, Present:
    CAPTAIN: The general commanding the district directs you to see Captain G. H. Elliot, of Engineers, in charge of the construction of the fortifications at the mouth of the Columbia, and with him visit the works at Cape Disappointment and also at Point Adams. You will procure all the information you can from him which will be useful to you in command of said fortifications. You will be careful to consult him as to the proper site at which quarters for the troops should be built at both fortifications. You will be prepared on your return to instruct your acting assistant quartermaster making estimates to be forwarded to Lieutenant Colonel E. B. Babbitt, deputy quartermaster-general, of the necessary funds to build temporary quarters for your company.
     By order of Brigadier-General Alvord.
     I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,


     J. W. HOPKINS,
     First Lieutenant, First Oregon Cavalry, Actg. Asst. Adjt. General

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 50, Part 2, Page 755. 

During the Civil War duty on the Pacific coast was uneventful, but fortifications (such as Fort Stevens on the Columbia River) continued to the extent funds could be made available.  These fortifications were largely obsolete within 50 years of their construction, but at the time they were considered a vital security measure.