be brisker, and came rather to the conclusion that they were only an advance picket of 12 or 15 men, who were trying to rout my camp by frightening us under cover of night, and who would retreat before daylight, satisfied to have a big laugh at us.

I had already sent an express (Lorenzo Tobats and Felis Gallegas) to Fort Craig, and determined to make a stand. I fell back behind some houses and fences, ceased firing at random, and, no shots being fired by the enemy for some time, I thought they had perhaps already retreated. I then tried to bring some of my men back, and used all kinds of means to prevent the enemy finding out the real number of my men on hand. I went on foot with a few others into the town, in order to find out something about the number and doings of the enemy, penetrating from house to house. Nothing could be seen. I thought the enemy must either have evacuated the town or it was a ruse to bring us out. I did not deem it prudent to go any farther; went back to my camp, where I found that the number of my men had again diminished. I ordered Lieutenant Sanches to bring some of the men back, if there was any possibility to do so before daybreak, and called on volunteers to ride with me into the town to drive the enemy out if they were only few in numbers, or to set fire to some of the small outside houses, from which the enemy could fire at us, and which, at all events, would break the eternal darkness. Provided with matches and some dry wool, in company with Lieutenant Medina, Sergeant Mennett, and a few others, mounted and advanced towards the town, where, to our great surprise, we were received by a pretty smart musketry. We soon found out that we had made a wrong calculation as to the strength of the enemy, and in less than ten minutes were again at the very spot from whence we had started. At this hour of the morning a portion of the enemy took position at an elevated place to our right, near the road leading to Fort Craig, so that a retreat en masse would have been observed, and provoked the enemy not only to pursue us, but also those of my company who had gone after their horses, and, doubtless, well mounted as the enemy were, would have overtaken most of our horses and men in less than half an hour. At this time (nearly daybreak) I found my whole force reduced to 10 men. Nothing else could then be done but entertain the enemy and prevent the pursuit of the main body of my company. This was done by loud commands, as if the whole company were still present, and occasional firing for more than an hour, with the loss of only one teamster (John Morrin), wounded in the leg.

Seeing at last, by aid of my spy-glass, that the enemy were more than 60 horsemen strong and preparing to charge us, that retreat was utterly impossible for the few still with me, and further resistance would only lead to a useless butchery, I surrendered between 7 and 8 a. m., after having saved nearly all the men, horses, and arms of my company, but bound to lose 3 wagons, 12 mules, and a few horses, about 15 arms (carbines and pistols), besides all our camp equipage, one and a half boxes of cartridges, rations on hand, and a small lot of old saddles and blankets, which were mostly all destroyed by the enemy. The enemy had one excellent horse killed and a few others wounded.

After my surrender I found the enemy's forces consisted of Captain Coopwood's spy company, 45 men strong, a detachment of Captain Pyron's company, 45 men strong, and 24 men more, detached from another company. Total, 114 men. They say that some of my men were killed, but I am not aware of this, although I took, before we left Alamosa, great pains to ascertain this fact. It may be possible that I have on this occasion committed some errors. I am aware that I have,

but for others it is an easy thing to find fault when it is too late to do any good. If I had sent my wagons off and divided my company into four or five spy parties, and had them out only one day before, no loss, or very little loss, would have been experienced, and in all probability I would not be a prisoner now. The word "if" is a great word. If Captain Coopwood had delayed his attack until the next morning, cutting off our retreat, which he could have done, not a horse or man of mine could have escaped. He nevertheless had plenty of good reasons to act as he did.

Not being permitted to report the further movements of the enemy, I only state that my second lieutenant, M. Medina, was badly wounded in the upper leg the next day by our own men; the bone is probably hurt, but the wound will not prove fatal; Mr. Peter Deus, of Las Cruces, an old friend of mine, has taken care of him. John Morrin, the teamster before alluded to, is in the hospital at this place, doing well. I am under parole not to leave the headquarters of Colonel Baylor without his permission. We are all well treated so far; receive our rations, and up to this hour have not heard a single unkind word from officers or men, although they have to deplore the loss of two of their best men killed in the action which took place the next morning (September 26), when our troops overtook the same party about 30 miles below the Alamosa, and, furthermore, have about seven wounded in the hospital. I submit this report to the kind consideration of the colonel commanding, and have the honor to be, most respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN H. MINKS,

Col. E. R. S. CANBY,

New Mexico Mounted Volunteers.

Commanding U. S. Forces in New Mexico.

No. 3.

Report of Capt. Robert M. Morris, Third U. S. Cavalry, of skirmish neas Fort Thorn.

FORT CRAIG, N. MEX., September 29, 1861.

CAPTAIN: In obedience to your verbal order given me at 9 a. m. on the 25th instant, I moved with Companies C, G, and K, Regiment of Mounted Riflemen, to the relief of Captain Minks' mounted volunteers, at Cañada Alamosa. I reached that point at 4.30 p. m. I should state that I ordered Captain Hubbell's company to join my command from their camp opposite Panago, which was under the command of Lientenant Hubbell, the first lieutenant.

Arriving at Cañada Alamosa, I found that a number of ponies were too wearied to proceed at any gait. I therefore left Lieutenant Brady (who was too sick to proceed) in charge of the camp, and resumed my march with 101 rank and file on the trail of the Texan force which had captured Captain Minks, marching until 3 a. m. of the following morning, rested until daylight, then proceeded on the trail.

Lieutenant Cooley, of the Second Volunteer Regiment (who acted as my aide de camp), riding in advance, discovered the Texans encamped. I then formed my command to charge, but upon examining their position I saw it was futile to attempt it at that time.

To test their strength I ordered Lieutenant Treacy with his company

(C) to take position on their right flank and attack them, whilst I moved forward to attack them front and left. Taking up my position, a single shot was fired. I immediately dismounted and went into action, which lasted an hour and forty-two minutes.

My ammunition running low, I retired a half mile as a feint to draw them out from their intrenchments, but without success. I then turned their right and camped 23 miles from them, where I remained till 5 p. m.; then I moved up the creek and encamped, where I remained until dark, and then moved back on Cañada Alamosa with my wounded, which place I reached at 4 a. m. on the 27th instant.

Although it may appear invidious to mention names where all behaved so coolly and with unflinching bravery,. I will state that Dr. Sylvester Rankin and Lieutenant Cooley performed their appropriate duties to my full satisfaction. To the riflemen engaged I cannot but say that they proved themselves by their coolness and bravery men who will sustain their regimental flag under any circumstances. Lieutenant Treacy's conduct on the field elicited my highest approbation. * This report is respectfully submitted.

R. M. MORRIS, Captain, Regiment Mounted Riflemen.

Capt. H. R. SELDEN, Fifth Infantry, Commanding Post.

No. 4.

Reports of Lieut. Col. John R. Baylor, C. S. Army, and of affair near and abandonment of Fort Stanton.

HEADQUARTERS,

Fort Bliss, September [October] 1, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to report that Captain Coopwood's spy company had an engagement with two companies of U. S. Dragoons from Fort Craig, in which the enemy lost four killed and several wounded. The fight occurred 40 miles below Craig, about the 26th ultimo. Capt. James Walker also took 48 prisoners of a New Mexico company near Fort Stanton. They were disarmed and released on parole.

I have been compelled to abandon Fort Stanton, as my force is too weak to divide. That post, I am sorry to inform you, was robbed by Indians and Mexicans, who threatened the lives of the few citizens that had occupied it. Captain Walker has recovered a considerable part of the articles stolen, and I sent a train out to bring in all articles of any value.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully,

JOHN R. BAYLOR,

Lieut. Col., Comdg. Second Regiment Mounted Rifles.

General EARL VAN DORN.

HEADQUARTERS,

Doña Aña, Ariz., October 6, 1861.

SIR: Pursuant to my order of September 18, issued from my headquarters, to Capt. B. Coopwood, then commanding Camp Robledo, 12

List of casualties shows: Number of wounded in Company C, 3 enlisted men; number of wounded in Company G, 3 enlisted men.

miles north of this place, he detailed a detachment of 110 men, and proceeded toward Fort Craig, for the purpose of reconnaissances. During his progress had two engagements with the enemy; the first in the town of Alamosa, in which he dispersed a New Mexican volunteer company, taking the captain, lieutenant, and several others prisoners. The following day had to contend against 180 or 190 cavalry from Craig, in which he also made them retire. For further particulars of his proceedings I refer you to a condensed copy of his report made to these headquarters.

Respectfully, &c.,

JOHN R. BAYLOR, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding.

ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL, C. S. ARMY,
Headquarters Department, San Antonio, Tex.

No. 5.

Report of Capt. Bethel Coopwood, Confederate forces.

DOÑA AÑA, ARIZ., September 29, 1861.

SIR: In obedience to your order of date September 18, 1861, I started from Camp Robledo on the 22d instant to make a reconnaissance of the country around Fort Craig with a detachment of 112 men, including officers, detailed from Captain Pyron's company, B, and Captain Stafford's company, E, Second Texas Mounted Rifles, and my spy company, as shown by lists from the different companies, hereto annexed; also one man, the Rev. William J. Joyce, of Captain Hardeman's company, A, Second Texas Mounted Rifles.

Having obtained reliable information that a company of U. S. vol ́unteers had started from Fort Craig to occupy the town of Alamosa, 35 miles from Fort Craig, I marched with all precaution to that place, and on the morning of the 25th instant succeeded in getting between that place and Craig without being discovered. I immediately marched my force into town, and after some skirmishing captured Capt. J. H. Minks, Second Lieut. Metiaze Medina, and 23 privates and non-commissioned officers. In the skirmish 4 of the enemy were killed and 6 wounded. The remainder of Captain Minks' company fled early in the action, and escaped by crossing the river and taking to the mountains. In the camp of Captain Minks I found an amount of public property, and immediately appointed Lieutenant Poore to take charge of the same; and the duplicate of his inventory, hereunto annexed, exhibits the amount of property taken, except four Sibley tents and a number of saddles and other articles of small value, which were burned by my order, not having transportation for the same. Not having transportation for the prisoners, I administered to 22 of them a strong oath, binding them not to take up arms against the Confederate States during this war unless exchanged, &c., and then set them at liberty without arms; but I held Captain Minks and Lieutenant Medina and one sergeant as prisoners, and deliver them to you to abide your order.

From Alamosa I marched along the river road with the property taken to the place known as E Company Grove, and encamped for the night. On the morning of the 27th, while at breakfast, I was informed that my pickets were running into camp, and, rising to my feet, I saw

the enemy pursuing them. In less than ten minutes my camp was surrounded by U. S. troops, numbering about 190. None of the ordinary ceremonies of attack were performed. There being no misunderstanding, we at once commenced business. The firing commenced at 7 o'clock and ended at 11 a. m. The enemy began to retreat before 11, and about that liour fled from the field. I lost 2 men killed, and had 2 severely wounded, each in the arm, besides 6 others slightly wounded, all of which will more fully appear from the list hereto annexed. The enemy removed their dead and wounded as they retreated, so as to evade a discovery of their losses; but, from the number of horses led away with bodies apparently lashed across them, there were 12 or 13 killed, but the number of their wounded could not be ascertained.

The principal portion of the battle was fought with the enemy's force formed in two lines, forming the angle of a square, and my forces formed the same way inside of theirs, my lines being much the shorter. One of my lines was composed of the detachment from Captain Pyron's company and a portion of the detachment from Captain Stafford's company, under the immediate command of Lieutenant Poore, Sergeant O'Grady, and Sergeant Browne. My left line was composed of the detachment from my company and a part of the detachment from Captain Stafford's company. This line was under the immediate command of Lieutenant Sutherland, being divided into two platoons, one led by Sergeant Coulter, and the other by Private Tevis, who was named for the special occasion.

I remained upon the field till 10 o'clock a. m. the next day, but was prepared to receive another attack should the enemy return re-enforced. In relation to the men and officers under me I would say to you, sir, that I have not witnessed such a display of manly courage and perfect order during my experience in wars. Each officer and man conducted himself as though he thought the destinies of himself and his country were depending upon his action on that occasion. The wounded would not even utter a cry, lest it would be injurious to the cause. A remarkable instance of this was displayed in the case of Sergeant O'Grady. After being severely wounded, and after having fallen to the ground from loss of blood, he continued to cheer his men and encourage them to fight, telling them not to cease firing until they had avenged-hisblood. This kind of courage was also displayed by others whose wounds were not so severe. Sergeant Quinn, Sergeant Robinson, and Antonio Lambert, after having each received a wound, continued to fight, if possible, with more courage and determination. The officers and men paid strict attention to every order, and acted more like veteran troops than volunteers. I cannot with words express the esteem I have for all who were with me. Nothing short of witnessing a similar occasion can impress you with an idea of the value of such troops and the credit due them for what they have already done. I herewith annex a list of the names of all who were with me, that you may know that number of men by name who will not flinch under the most trying circumstances.

Regretting much that some of my esteemed fellow soldiers have suf fered the fate of war on this scout, I most respectfully submit to you this report of the same.

I am, sir, your most obedient servant,

BETHEL COOPWOOD,
Captain, Commanding Scout.

Lieut. Col. JOHN R. BAYLOR.