your men in tobacco and sutler's stores will be made known to the merchants in this city, who will no doubt be very glad of the opportunity of supplying them. General Wright has given a more extended application to War Department General Orders, No. 29, than I have understood it to warrant. That, however, is of no material consequence. We are here in the same cause and for a common purpose, and nothing shall be wanting on my part to insure the harmony of action which is essential to efficiency, and I feel assured from your character that I may count upon your co-operation in everything that has for its object the advancement of the honor and interest of our country. Please communicate with me freely, and be assured that whatever I can do, either officially or personally, to advance the interests or add to the comforts of your command will be done with the greatest pleasure. Very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant, [Inclosure G.] HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT of New MEXICO, Brig. Gen. JAMES H. CARLETON, Commanding Column from California, District of Arizona: GENERAL: At an early period of last year I reported that an invasion of Texas from New Mexico, although practicable, was not a practicable undertaking; the length of the march, the desert character of the country to be traversed, the scarcity of supplies on the route, the necessity of bringing from the Missouri River or from the Pacific coast every article of equipment and munition and much of the food, all conspired to make it an undertaking of great magnitude and of questionable value; and that the troops that would be required for the expedition could be more usefully employed at points that are not only near the sources of supply but near the points to be attacked. The same views appeared to have been entertained at the Headquarters of the Army, as before my report could have reached Washington I received instructions to withdraw first a part and afterward the whole of the regular force then in New Mexico. These last instructions were subsequently so modified as to direct the withdrawal of these troops "at such time and in such manner as would not expose the Territory to conquest or invasion before the volunteer troops of New Mexico are properly organized, armed, and posted." At a later period I reported that it would be difficult, if not impracticable, to raise the additional force authorized for this Territory; nor do I think it desirable that it should be done if it is practicable to send one or two volunteer regiments from the East to replace the regular troops when they are withdrawn. The New Mexican Volunteers, unless supported by regular troops or by volunteers drawn from some other section of the country, cannot be relied on to resist invasion of the Territory if one is attempted. When a force from the Department of the Mississippi was under orders for this department I received instructions from the Secretary of War to disband the New Mexican Volunteers whenever I thought proper. The force from the Department of the Mississippi was subsequently diverted from its destination, and soon after information was received that your command was on the march. I have coupled these changes with the instructions for the movement of the regular troops, and supposed that your command was intended for service in New Mexico. Acting upon this supposition, I have reported that "the near approach of General Carleton's force justifies the opinion that the regular troops may now be withdrawn, as originally intended, without detriment to the service," and have already made some arrangements for the movement; but as there have been some material changes since these instructions were given, I do not intend to put any of the regular troops beyond the reach of recall until I receive further instructions. I have been thus particular, not only for the purpose of answering your question, but to indicate the policy and instructions under which I have been acting, and which I suppose will devolve upon you when the regular troops leave the country. In the arrangements that were made for the reoccupation of Arizona it was my intention to restore the sovereignty of the United States in its original integrity, post the troops so as to protect the inhabitants and guard against invasion, and, in addition, to occupy such points in Texas as could be reached without throwing the troops so employed beyond the reach of support. This has been directed in general terms in the instructions given to the commander of the Southern Military District, and who would also have been the commander of the expedition organized for that purpose. Copies of these instructions have already been furnished you. The retreat of the rebels and the approach of your command rendered it unnecessary to send this force below the Jornada, and, with the exception of the infantry battalion and the cavalry force with Lieutenant Colonel Eyre, it has been recalled. The detachments will also be recalled, but the movement will not be commenced until your arrangements are so far perfected that it can be done without inconvenience. I do not think that an invasion of New Mexico will again be attempted by the Rio Grande; but if our troops in the Southwest should meet with any serious reverses, it may be by the Canadian or attempts may be made to interrupt our communications with the East. This last I have regarded as the most probable danger, and some time since requested the commander of the Department of Kansas to place a sufficient force on that line (within his department) to secure it. The renewal of the disturbances in Missouri has prevented this, and I am now putting some of the Colorado troops on the line. If there should be no change in the order for the removal of the regular troops a part of your command will probably be needed at and above Fort Craig. I bave estimated the force required at that post and the Rio Grande as far as Fort Bliss at 2,000 men. I infer from your letter of May 3 that you can readily be re enforced from California, and there is no doubt that troops can better be spared from that State than from any other quarter. I make these suggestions now for your consideration, and will be pleased to hear from you in relation to them before any general movement of the regular troops takes place. Very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant, [Inclosure H.] HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NEW MEXICO, Brig. Gen. JAMES H. CARLETON, Santa Fé, N. Mex., August 12, 1862. Commanding Column from California, District of Arizona: GENERAL: I have just received your communication of the 8th instant. It is my wish that you should exercise your own judgment both with regard to the distribution of your troops and the point at which your headquarters will be established. My instructions to Colonel Chivington of June 22 and subsequent dates were predicated upon the supposition that he would meet with some resistance, and were more in detail than I should have considered necessary with an officer of more experience. In my letter of yesterday I gave the general tenor of my instructions, in order that you might use your discretion in carrying out the policy of the Government with reference to this department. Directions will be given to send tents to Fort Craig for the use of your command, and I trust that you will not hesitate in asking for anything that will add to the comfort of your command. If not already at Fort Craig, it will be sent there, and if not now in abundance, we will share what we have, and renew our supplies when the trains come in. It will probably be necessary for a time to send your own transportation to Fort Craig for any supplies that you may need from that place. Very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant, ED. R. S. CANBY, Brigadier-General, Commanding Department. [Inclosure I.] HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF ARIZONA, Brig. Gen. E. R. S. CANBY, Las Cruces, N. Mex., August 15, 1862. Commanding Department of New Mexico, Santa Fé, N. Mex.: GENERAL: I wrote to you a letter from Ojo de la Vaca on the 2d instant advising you of the strength of the forces under my command then en route to the Rio Grande. Since then I have not received any letters from your headquarters advising me of the receipt of that communication. The inclosed general orders (Nos. 14 and 15, from these headquarters) will give you an idea of the force stationed at 'Mesilla. In Las Cruces there are four companies of the Fifth U. S. Infantry; at Fort Fillmore there are Shinn's light battery, Third U. S. Artillery; Companies A and E, First California Volunteer Infantry; Company B, Fifth California Volunteer Infantry, and Companies B and D, First California Volunteer Cavalry, and Company B, Second California Volunteer Cavalry. I placed all the cavalry and nearly all the quartermaster's wagons and teams at Fort Fillmore on account of the good grazing in that vicinity and the abundance of mesquite beans now in that neighborhood, which for the present precludes the necessity of purchasing much forage. As there are sufficient quarters at La Mesilla for the four companies of the Fifth U. S. Infantry I shall establish them in that town, unless otherwise directed by yourself, at least for the present. The emulation which will naturally spring up between them and the volunteers, as to who shall best perform their duties, will, in my opinion, be of great service to both; besides, there is a fine building there, where the supplies-quartermaster's and subsistencecan be kept free of expense, and the town of Mesilla is said to be a cooler and healthier locality than Las Cruces. Colonel Howe wrote to me desiring that I would send these four companies to Fort Craig, but this I do not feel authorized to do unless you order it. Mr. Woods the beef contractor, wrote me a note in relation to furnishing beef for my command. It is herewith inclosed,* together with my reply. I hope my decision in this case will meet with your approval. I have not yet learned officially whether Mr. Woods will or not supply beef for only the four companies of regulars; I have heard that he would not. To-morrow I leave for Fort Bliss, in Texas, with Companies B, of the First, and B, of the Second, California Volunteer Cavalry. Company *Not found. C, First California Volunteer Cavalry, is already at Hart's Mill, as you had doubtless heard previous to my arrival. There are many matters of moment which require my attention, as I have heard, in the neighborhood of Fort Bliss. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, [Inclosure K.] GENERAL ORDERS, ) HDQRS. COLUMN FROM CALIFORNIA, No. 16. CAMP ON RIO GRANDE, Near Fort Quitman, Tex., August 22, 1862. I. At 12 m. to-day Capt. John C. Cremony, with his company (B, of the Second California Volunteer Cavalry), will proceed to Fort Quitman and hoist over it the national colors, the old Stars and Stripes. By this act still another post comes under its rightful flag and once more becomes consecrated to the United States. II. Capt. Edmond D. Shirland, First California Volunteer Cavalry, will proceed without delay, yet by easy marches, to Fort Davis, Tex., and hoist over that post the national colors. If Captain Shirlaud finds any sick or wounded soldiers there he will make them prisoners of war, but put them upon their parole and let them proceed without delay to Texas. If they are unable to travel, Captain Shirland will report to these headquarters by express what they need in the way of surgical or medical attention; what they need in the way of food or transportation, and all other essential facts connected with them which it may be necessary to have known to have them properly cared for. If the fort is abandoned, Captain Shirland will retrace his steps and report in person to these headquarters. III. Twenty effective men will be ordered from Company B, First California Volunteer Cavalry, to report to Captain Shirland for detached service to Fort Davis, Tex. By order of Brigadier-General Carleton: BEN. C. CUTLER, First Lieut., First California Vol. Infty., Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen. [Inclosure L.] CAMP ON RIO GRANDE, September 2, 1862. Lieut. BENJAMIN C. CUTLER, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Franklin, Tex.: LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to state that, in pursuance of instructions received from General James H. Carleton, commanding Column from California, I left this camp at 3 p. m. August 23 en route to Fort Davis. Encamped at 8 o'clock the same evening, having marched fifteen miles. Started at daybreak of the 24th and arrived at Eagle Springs at 9.30 a. m., seventeen miles; found the springs filled with rubbish and carrion; by cleaning them out found water for men and animals. There being no grass in the vicinity, I left the springs at 4 p. m.; marched about five miles and made a dry camp; grass abundant and good. Started at daybreak and marched twenty miles to Van Horn's Wells; found these wells entirely filled up; cleared out one of them, but found it impossible to obtain sufficient water for the men. Many of the horses being unfit to proceed farther, I thought it best to go on from here with twenty men and picked horses, taking the ambulance with me. Accordingly I directed Lieutenant Haden to retrace his steps to Eagle Springs with the remainder of the detachment, to clean out the springs thoroughly, and to If remain there eight days, unless he received other orders from me. at the expiration of eight days I should not have returned or sent back an express, I directed him to return to the river and wait for me there two days and then proceed up the river and report to General Carleton. I left Van Horn's Wells at about 4 p. m. and arrived at Dead Man's Hole at about 2 a. m.; found sufficient water there for the animals, but not enough for a company; distance, thirty-five miles. Started at 6.30 a. m. and arrived at Barrel Springs at 3 p. m., having halted on the road to graze the animals. Found water enough at these springs for one company. Remained here that night, and on the next afternoon sent forward Corporal Bartlett, with one private and the Mexican guide, to find out the condition of affairs at Fort Davis, distant eighteen miles. They returned about noon the next day, having performed their duty in such a manner that if the fort had been occupied by the C. S. troops their (Corporal Bartlett and party) presence could not have been discovered. They reported the fort unoccupied, and I, thinking it best not to send back for the company on account of the scarcity of water, proceeded to the fort. I found it entirely deserted, but in one of the buildings of the Overland Mail Company I found the dead body of a man lying on the floor. He had been shot through the body with a bullet and had an arrow wound on the head and one on the arm. From the appearance of the room I think that it had been used by the Confederate troops as a hospital, and this man left there sick and afterward killed by the Indians. I had the body buried. The fort appears to have been garrisoned by the C. S. troops since their first appearance in the country by at least a portion of one company. It also seemed to have been used as a rendezvous for sick soldiers, but they had all left with the last detachment for San Antonio. The following is a description of the buildings at the fort: Five company quarters, about 80 by 25 feet; one story high; built of stone; thatched roof. Four of these buildings are in fair condition. The roof, doors, and windows of one have been burned. One guard house, about 80 by 25 feet; building stone; roof, doors, and windows burned. One quartermaster's store-house, about 100 by 20 feet, built of stone; roof, doors, and windows entirely destroyed; surrounded by several small buildings; use not known. One wooden or slab building, 30 by 16 feet; thatched roof; used as an adjutant's office. One wooden building, 36 by 27 feet, with kitchen and several small outbuildings; supposed to have been the commanding officer's quarters. On this building the flag was raised and kept up one day. One wooden building, 48 by 22 feet, with kitchen and outhouses attached; supposed to have been officers' quarters. One wooden building, 22 by 12 feet, with one small outbuilding, 10 by 14 feet. One wooden building, 36 by 18 feet; one outbuilding, 14 by 12 feet; one slab building, 40 by 15 feet; one slab building, 50 by 14 feet; one slab building, 20 by 12 feet; one slab building, 20 by 12 feet; one slab building, 30 by 15 feet; one outhouse, 10 by 12 feet; seven small slab outhouses; one slab stable, 50 by 14 feet; one stone and mud house; three small slab buildings. These are estimated measurements, as I had no other means of doing. One Overland Mail station, consisting of house, store-house, shop, stable, saddlery, granary, &c.; one adobe building, formerly used as a store. Many of the doors and windows have been destroyed. Some seem to have been hauled off; others burned. One wagon stands loaded with lumber. I have heard a report, in fact, that the entire fort was sold by the C. S. officers to some party at Del Norte, Mexico. Property consists of some iron in quartermaster's store-house, some 100 horseshoes, two old citizen |