included the instructions: McLaughlin's detachment carries out the Keyesville Massacre - April 19,1863 McLaughlin's Owens Valley Campaign Captain McLaughlin arrived at Camp Independence. As senior captain he became the new Camp Commander. - April 24, 1863 McLaughlin's Operations in Owens Valley - April 25 - May 14, 1863 McLaughlin changed tactics previously used in the war. No longer pursuing the enemy up canyons in the mountains to be ambushed in places of their choosing, McLaughlin sent detachments of his men up the mountains at night. Then at daylight they would sweep downward toward the valley, driving any enemy out into the valley where another detachment awaited to cut them off. Under Captain McLaughlin the soldiers were constantly seeking out the Indian food stores and destroying them. Scouting parties were employed in searching for any smaller bands who might have remained behind hidden in the tule swamps along the river, and scarcely a day passed without two or three of them being found and killed, and everything destroyed that could be of any use to the living. McLaughlin instructed the troops that it was of the utmost importance that prisoners should be taken, not only women but men, confident that their love of life would prompt them to furnish important information and that possibly they could be used as guides. The Owens Valley Indians had never been taught how to maintain their firearms, and their firearms became rusted and encrusted with dirt, making many unserviceable. Some gun barrels exploded. Several Indians who had remained hidden near the Owens River were captured by Captain Noble's men, and finding that they would not be harmed, but that they would receive food and clothing, and being informed through the interpreter that Captain McLaughlin came to make peace, not war, they were prevailed upon to conduct the troops to where they supposed a large party belonging to Joaquin Jim was encamped and where they could be surrounded. From these Indians McLaughlin learned that Captain George was near Death Valley and furnished them with passes and white flags, allowing them fifteen days from the 16th of May to find Captain George and the other Indians and bring them into camp. - May 14, 1863 Raid on Joaquin Jim's Camp - May 15–19, 1863 At Captain Noble's camp on Big Pine Creek, McLaughlin issued an order suspending hostilities until further orders and sent out more Indian messengers.