that order. The services of these companies will be needed immediately, and it is respectfully recommended that-they be raised in San Miguel County, or as near Fort Union as possible, and be ordered to rendezvous at that post at as early a period as may be practicable. Instructions will be given to the commanding officer at Fort Union to muster these companies into the service of the United States, to arm them fully, and to equip them, as far as the means in the department will permit. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant, ED. R. S. CANBY, Major Tenth Infantry, &c. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NEW MEXICO, His Excellency Governor RENCHER, Santa Fé, N. Mex.: SIR: In addition to my requisition of yesterday, I have the honor to call for four companies of foot volunteers, to rendezvous at Albuquerque, N. Mex.; one company of foot and one of mounted volunteers, to rendezvous at Fort Craig; and one company of foot and one of mounted volunteers, to rendezvous at Fort Stanton; the whole to assemble at the points indicated as soon as possible, and to be mustered into the service of the United States in conformity with the regulations, prescribed in War Department General Orders, No. 15, of 1861. Very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant, ED. R. S. CANBY, Major Tenth Infantry, Bot. Lieut. Col., Comdg. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NEW MEXICO, Santa Fé, N. Mex., June 23, 1861. His Excellency GOVERNOR OF CHIHUAHUA, Chihuahua, N. Mex.: SIR: The bearer of this communication, First Lieut. Donald C. Stith, of the U. S. Army, has been commissioned by me to visit your excellency, for the purpose of asking your assistance in effecting the restoration of a train of wagons and a large quantity of stores, the property of the Government of the United States, which were carried into the State of Chihuahua in the month of March last, by William D. Kirk, then a wagon-master in the U. S. Army. This flagrant robbery and breach of faith will be fully reprobated by your excellency, and I have the fullest confidence that you will at once, in the exercise of your powers, direct the restoration of the public property and the delivery of the robber (Kirk) into the hands of the accredited agent of the United States. Lieutenant Stith takes with him, for the information of your excellency, a full statement of the circumstances connected with this robbery, so that you can see at once the true history and merits of the case. He will also take inventories of the stolen property, in order that everything may be verified. When this property is restored to Lieutenant Stith I have the honor to request that your excellency will cause him to be furnished with any assistance that may be necessary to facilitate his return to this department, and if it should be needed that you will direct the train to be escorted to the frontier of Chihuahua, where an escort from the troops of this department will meet it. I beg to assure your excellency that the action that you may take in this matter will be fully recognized and appreciated by the Government of the United States. With the assurances of my most distinguished consideration and respect, I have the honor to be, your most obedient servant, ED. R. S. CANBY, Major Tenth Infantry, Bvt. Lieut. Col., Comdg. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NEW MEXICO, To the ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL, Headquarters of the Army, Washington, D. C.: SIR: Since my report of the 16th instant the statements in relation to a contemplated invasion of the Territory appear to be confirmed by information received from various sources, and it is positively known that a considerable force of Texan troops is now on the march for El Paso or that neighborhood, with the ostensible object of garrisoning Forts Quitman and Bliss. I feel assured, however, that a sufficient. force will in two or three days be concentrated at Fort Fillmore to render that portion of the country entirely secure, and enable the commanding officer to repress any revolutionary movements that may be set on foot by the people of the Mesilla Valley. I hope, too, that Major Lynde will find himself in sufficient force to reoccupy Fort Bliss and recover the public property now at that place. Two mounted companies have been ordered to report to him at Fort Fillmore as soon as practicable, and he has been authorized to call for volunteers if he should find it necessary. The next point in importance is Fort Union, and to enable the commanding officer of that post to guard the depot, protect the trains on the road, and watch the approach by the Canadian I have called upon the governor of the Territory for four companies of foot volunteers, who will rendezvous at that place in two or three days. Four companies of foot volunteers have also been called for the purpose of relieving the companies of the Fifth Infantry now at Fort Fauntleroy. They will rendezvous at Albuquerque. One company of foot and one of mounted volunteers will rendezvous at Fort Stanton, and one company of foot and one of mounted volunteers at Fort Craig, making in all ten companies of foot and two of mounted volunteers. These requisitions have been made in anticipation of the orders of the War Department calling them into the service, and for the purpose of defending exposed points and facilitating the concentration of the regular troops that are to leave the department. Our Indian relations are still unsatisfactory. The Apaches of Arizona are still actively hostile, and have committed many depredations during the past month, and the Comanches are openly at war with us. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant, ED. R. S. CANBY, Major Tenth Infantry, and Bot. Lieut. Col. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NEW MEXICO, Maj. I. LYNDE, Santa Fé, N. Mex., June 23, 1861.. Seventh Infantry, Comdg. Southern District, Department of New Mexico, Fort Fillmore, N. Mex.: SIR: The bearer of these communications, Judge John S. Watts, of this city, is thoroughly acquainted with the inhabitants of Mesilla, Doña Aña County, and will be able to render you valuable assistance in organizing volunteer companies, if you should find it necessary to call for any, or in any event in which you may require his aid. His intimate knowledge of the people in that part of the country will enable him to indicate to you those upon whose fidelity you can rely, and this, at the present juncture, will be a matter of the utmost importance. I have requested him to take charge of these communications, for the reason that I do not feel assured that they would reach you if sent through the post-office, and for the same reason a triplicate of the instructions of the 16th inst. is also sent. My own knowledge of Judge Watts and his reputation here warrant me in saying that you can rely upon him for any service in which you may require the assistance of an active, zealous, and faithful man. Very respectfully, major, your obedient servant, ED. R. S. CANBY, Major Tenth Infantry, Bvt. Lieut. Col., Comdg. [Inclosures.] HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NEW MEXICO, Maj. ISAAC LYNDE, Seventh Infantry, Comdg. Southern District, Department of New Mexico, Fort Fillmore, N. Mex.: SIR: I am instructed to say that your communication of the 14th instant and Major Paul's report of the 16th instant, in relation to affairs in the Mesilla Valley, have been received. The orders and instructions heretofore given you anticipate the recommendations made by Major Paul and yourself. Duplicates of these orders and instructions will be sent herewith. I am instructed to state, for your information, that your command will be re-enforced by two mounted companies: one from Fort Craig and one from Fort Stanton. A requisition has been made upon the governor for volunteers to strengthen the garrisons at Forts Stanton and Craig, and keep open the communication between these posts and Fort Fillmore. You are authorized, if you should consider it necessary, to call into the service of the United States two or more companies of volunteers from the neighborhood of your post. Three hundred rifles and muskets and 12,000 cartridges will also be sent for the purpose of arming any volunteers that you call for. Twenty thousand rations of subsistence have been ordered from the depot at Albuquerque for the use of your force. Assistant Surgeon Alden will be ordered to report to you for duty with your command. You are requested to transmit, at as early a period as possible, your requisitions for any supplies that may be needed for your command, basing them upon the supposition that there will not be less than 2,000 men to be provided for, in order that arrangements may be made for filling them as rapidly and as fully as possible. It is impossible, at this distance, and with the imperfect knowledge of passing events in your neighborhood, to give you definite instructions, but the lieutenant-colonel commanding relies upon your zeal and judg. ment to give the greatest effect for defense or for offense to the means that will be under your control. The present strength of Fort Bliss and the period of the expected arrival of the re-enforcements from Texas are not known here, but it is scarcely necessary to suggest to you that the frontier in charge could be more permanently secured from invasion by the seizure of that post and the property of the United States now there than by any other course and before the re-enforcements have arrived. You must judge whether the means under your control will be sufficient to accomplish this object without hazard to the more important object of maintaining your position at Fort Fillmore. It is represented that there are many loyal men in the Mesilla Valley who would really volunteer their services, and as the organization of volunteer companies in their midst.would tend greatly to paralyze the disaffected, this course is suggested in calling for any volunteers you may consider necessary. The promotion of Major Paul to the Eighth Infantry has been received here, but as his services will be necessary in organizing and mustering volunteers into the service of the United States, you are authorized to retain him for the present, and will please give the same directions at other posts within your district where the immediate change would leave a company without an officer or occasion other serious embarrassments to the service. Very respectfully, sir, &c., A. L. ANDERSON, Second Lieutenant, Fifth Infantry, A. A. A. G. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NEW MEXICO, Capt. R. M. MORRIS, Santa Fé, N. Mex., June 25, 1861. Commanding Officer, Fort Craig, N. Mex.: SIR: For the purpose of strengthening your post and enabling you to furnish escorts of sufficient strength for public property that may be sent to Fort Fillmore and other posts in the South, a requisition has been made upon the governor of the Territory for one company of mounted and one company of foot volunteers, to be mustered into the service of the United States at Fort Craig. Mr. Robert H. Stapleton, who lives near your post, will be authorized by the governor to raise the mounted company. Col. M. E. Pino, appointed by the President to the command of the Second Regiment of New Mexican Volunteers, will designate the foot company. The mounted company will be mustered into the service as an independent company aud for the period of three months. The foot company will be one of the companies of the Second Regiment; and will be mustered in for three years, unless sooner discharged. The organization in both cases will be the minimum prescribed by General Orders (War Department), No. 15, of 1861. You are charged with the duty of organizing, inspecting, and mustering these companies into the service, and you will be governed in this duty by the instructions of the War Department of June 12, 1848, as modified by General Orders (War Department), Nos. 15 and 25, of 1861, and the General Regulations of 1857. It is supposed that a copy of the instructions above referred to will be found with your company records. For fear that it should not, extracts that relate to the muster into the service will be sent to you. The General Orders, Nos. 15 and 25, are inclosed herewith. There are no blank muster rolls on hand, and it will be necessary to muster on manuscript rolls. A form is sent herewith. The oath of allegiance to the Government of the United States must be taken by all who enter the service, and the refusal to take it will be an absolute cause of rejection. The oath of the commissioned officers of the company will be attested by a civil magistrate and sent to this office by the mustering officer. To the non-commissioned officers and men it will be administered as prescribed by the instructions of 1848, paragraph 104. As soon as mustered, these companies will be armed and equipped for immediate service. Arms, ammunition, and camp and garrison equipage will be issued upon requisitions approved by you, but no clothing will be issued without further orders. If you have not on hand a sufficiency of camp equipage (tents, axes, spades, camp-kettles, and mess pans), you will make your requisitions upon the department quartermaster at Albuquerque, who will be instructed to fill them without reference to department headquarters. The mounted company will be armed with rifles and the foot company with muskets. The arms for this purpose and the necessary ammunition have been ordered to be sent you from the depot at Fort Union. If they should not reach you in season, you can probably obtain for temporary use the arms in the possession of the volunteers in the neighborhood of your post, to be returned when the regular supply is received. A list of these will be sent to you herewith. The action of the State of Texas and of the people of the Mesilla Valley make it necessary that your post should be strengthened, so as to enable you to keep open the communication with the posts in the South. Your own company, the company (F) of the Seventh Infantry, and the two companies of volunteers will probably be sufficient for this purpose. Your views in relation to this are invited, bearing in mind that strong escorts will be required for all trains going South, and that it is known privately that a movement against New Mexico is being organized at Fort Bliss, and, if not frustrated, will take place soon after the Texan troops reach that post. They are expected about the first of next month. By direction of Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Canby: A. L. ANDERSON, HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NEW MEXICO, Bvt. Maj. N. B. ROSSELL, Fifth Infantry, Commanding Albuquerque: SIB: A requisition has been made upon the governor of New Mexico for four companies of foot volunteers, to rendezvous at Albuquerque, where they will be mustered into the service of the United States, and sent, as soon as they are armed and equipped, to relieve the companies of the Fifth Infantry at Fort Fauntleroy. Col. M. E. Pino, appointed by the President to the command of the Second Regiment of New Mexican Volunteers, will designate the companies that are to assemble at Albu querque. These companies will form part of the Second Regiment, and they will be mustered into the service for the period of three years, unless sooner discharged, and the organization will be the minimum prescribed by General Orders (War Department), No 15, of 1861.* * * By direction of Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Canby : * A. L. ANDERSON. Second Lieutenant, Fifth Infantry, A. A. A. G, *Details omitted. |