the Southern District, and the second from Captain Gibbs, Mounted Rifles, and commander of the mounted force of the immediate command of Major Lynde at the time of his surrender. These reports embody substantially all the information that has yet reached me in relation to this disaster. As Major Lynde's conduct will be made the subject of judicial investigation, I do not think it proper to express an opinion in advance of that investigation. I have no later information from Captain Moore's command. He will have, however, about 300 men, and is fully prepared to defend himself, and is no doubt warned of recent events by the couriers that have been sent to him from Fort Craig and Fort Fillmore. Fort Craig is in a position to resist attack, except by a very consider. able force provided with artillery. The present garrison is three companies of regulars and two of volunteers. It will be re-enforced in two or three days by six companies, four of regulars and two of volunteers. Lieutenant-Colonel Roberts, Mounted Rifles, is in command of the troops in that quarter. Fort Stanton has been abandoned, and its garrison reached Albuquerque on the 8th and 9th instant. The intrenchments at Fort Union are now so nearly completed that it can now be defended against a very large force. It is better provided with artillery than any other post, but there is not in the whole department sufficient for a single post of the size and importance of this post. The greatest exertions are being used to organize a respectable volunteer force, but the progress does not meet my expectations. Seventeen companies have been mustered in. Two companies are expected in a few days from Colorado Territory, and several companies of mounted volunteers are promised by the end of this week. Very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant, ED. R. S. CANBY, To the ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL, GENERAL ORDERS, HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF NEW MEXICO, Santa Fe, N. Mex., August 27, 1861. The colonel commanding the department has learned with great gratification that certain reports and statements with regard to the troops included in the surrender of San Augustine Springs are unfounded and slanderous, and that, notwithstanding the difficulties in which they were involved and the seductions with which they were assailed, they have proved themselves, with a few dishonorable exceptions, loyal and faithful soldiers of the Union. He sympathizes with them in their misfortune, and trusts that they will bear it with patience and look forward with hope to the period when it will be removed, and San Augustine be remembered only as a watchword and an incentive to renewed exertions for the honor of their country and its flag. By order of Col. E. R. S. Canby : A. L. ANDERSON, Second Lieut., Fifth Infantry, Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen. No. 2.' Reports of Maj. Isaac Lynde, Seventh U. S. Infantry, commanding cap tured forces. HDQRS. SOUTHERN DISTRICT NEW MEXICO, Fort Fillmore, N. Mex., July 26, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to report that on the night of the 24th instant a deserter from the Texas troops was brought in by our picket, and he informed me that a large body of mounted men, between 300 and 400, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Baylor, Texas troops, were moving up the river, and that he left them at Willow Bar, about 12 miles below the post. Presuming their object to be an attack on the post, I immediately ordered in the two companies of the Seventh Infantry from San Tomas, and kept the garrison under arms until after daylight, when mounted parties were sent out to reconnoiter. In the mean time the enemy passed up the opposite side of the river through the town of San Tomas, where they captured 7 men of my command left behind by the battalion of the Seventh Infantry in the hurry of departure. After extracting from them what information they could in reference to the probable time of the arrival of the troops of Forts Breckinridge and Buchanan, they were released, and joined the post. All property, public and private, belonging to the command was seized and carried off or destroyed. About 4.30 o'clock p. m. yesterday I moved in the direction of the town of Mesilla, where the Texas troops then were, with six companies of the Seventh Infantry, one acting as artillery, with the howitzer battery of the post and two companies of rifles. One company of infantry, with the band and convalescents, were left to garrison the post, under Lieutenants Stivers and Ryan, Seventh Infantry. Dr. Alden also remained behind. My command numbered about 380 men. About 2 miles from Mesilla I sent Lieutenant Brooks, Seventh Infantry, A. A. A. G., forward with a white flag to demand the surrender of the town. He was met by Major Waller and Colonel Herbert on the part of the Texans, who replied that if I wanted the town I must come and take it. I moved the battery forward, and fired two shells at long. range, but they burst in the air short of the object. The command continued to advance slowly towards the outskirts of the town, while the battery, which had to be moved by hand, was working through the heavy sand. From a corn field and house on the right we received a heavy fire of musketry, wounding 2 officers and 4 men and killing 3. men. As night was coming on, and the fields and houses on both sides of the road were filled with men, and the howitzers useless, except as a field battery, owing to the difficulty of moving through the sand, I decided to withdraw my force and return to my post. The march back was uninterrupted, and to-day I am fortifying with sand bags, &c., in anticipation of an attack. I have sent an express to Captain Gibbs, directing him to return to Fort Craig with his command, as he cannot join this post now. They have possession of the road above. Orders will be sent, if possible, to the commanders of the troops from Forts Breckinridge and Buchanan to take the nearest route to Fort Craig from a point where the orders reach them. A re-enforcement of 100 men joined the Texans from Fort Bliss last night. Their force at present, with the addition of the citizens of Mesilla, is nearly 700 men. I am hourly expecting an attack. The loss of the enemy is reported 11 killed and wounded. Part of their horses were stampeded by one of our shells. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, I. LYNDE, Major, Seventh Infantry, Commanding. To the ACTING ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL, FORT CRAIG, N. MEX., August 6, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to report that I arrived at this post to-day with three companies of the regiment Mounted Rifles on parole. I shall send my official report as soon as I can complete it, which I have not yet been able to do. The express is waiting, and I have not time to write more. Very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant, I. LYNDE, Major, Seventh Infantry. To the ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL, FORT CRAIG, N. MEX., August 7, 1861. SIR: On the 26th of July I had the honor to report the fact of an unsuccessful attempt to dislodge the Texan troops from the town of Mesilla, since which events of the greatest consequence to my command have occurred. They are now prisoners of war. On that day I had reliable information that the enemy would in the course of the night receive a battery of artillery, and if I moved to intercept it with a sufficient force for the purpose they were ready to at tack the fort in my absence, and, as I have previously reported, the fort is indefensible against artillery, being perfectly commanded by sand hills for at least half the circle, and the only supply of water at the distance of one and a half miles. Other officers, with myself, became convinced that we must eventually be compelled to surrender if we remained in the fort, and that our only hope of saving the command from capture was in reaching some other military post. I therefore ordered the fort to be evacuated, and such public property as could not be transported with the limited means at the post to be destroyed as far as time would allow, and at 1 o'clock a. m. on the 27th of July I took up the line of march for Fort Stanton, which was believed to be the most practicable point to reach,. and was reported to be threatened by the enemy. I had no personal knowledge of the road, but it was reported to me that the first day's march would be 20 miles to Saint Augustine Springs, where there would be abundance of water for all the command. Until daylight the command advanced without difficulty, but when the sun arose the day became intensely hot, and soon after the men and teams began to show signs of fatigue, and I found that the distance was greater than had been represented. About 6 miles before reaching the Springs commences a short ascent to a pass in the Organ Mountains, and here the men and teams suffered severely with the intense heat and want of water, many men falling and unable to proceed. Up to this time there was no indication of pursuit. I now determined to push forward with the mounted force to the Springs, and return with water for the suffering men in the rear. When I had nearly reached the Springs word was brought me that a mounted force was approaching in our rear; but it was believed to be Captain Gibbs, R. M. R., with his command, and soon after that supposition was confirmed by another express. On reaching the Springs I found the supply of water so small as to be insufficient for my command. After procuring all the water that could be transported by the men with me I started back to the main body. After riding some distance I became so much exhausted that I could not sit upon my horse, and the command proceeded without me, under the command of Lieutenant Cressey, R. M. R., and I returned to the Springs. Soon after it was reported to me that a part of the teams had given out and could not be brought up, and that large numbers of the infantry had become totally overpowered with the intense heat. At this time an express from Captain Gibbs reported that eight companies of mounted men, supported by artillery and a large force of infantry, were approaching our rear guard. I had the "Call to arms" sounded, and found that I could not bring more than 100 men of the infantry battalion on parade. Captain Gibbs, with a mounted force, now rode into camp, and stated to me that eight companies of mounted Texans (supported by a regiment of infantry, more or less) were approaching; that they had driven in or captured our rear guard (composed of three companies of infantry) and the men that had given out in the rear. Three of the four mountain howitzers that we had with us were with the wagons in the rear and were captured. They were guarded by one company of infantry acting as artillery. Captain Gibbs also reported that his company, men and horses, had been without water for twentyfour hours. Under the circumstances I considered our case hopeless; that it was worse than useless to resist; that honor did not demand the sacrifice of blood after the terrible suffering that our troops had already undergone, and when that sacrifice would be totally useless. A body of mounted Texans followed Captain Gibbs to the vicinity of the camp, when a parley was held, and I surrendered my command to LieutenantColonel Baylor, of the C. S. Army. The strength of my command at the time of surrender was, Mounted Rifles, 95 rank and file and 2 officers. The infantry I have not the means of stating the exact number, but there were seven companies of the Seventh Infantry, with 8 officers, present. Since I have been at Fort Fillmore my position has been of extreme embarrassment. Surrounded by open or secret enemies, no reliable information could be obtained, and disaffection prevailing even in my own command, to what extent it was impossible to ascertain, but much increased, undoubtedly, by the conduct of officers who left their post without authority. My position has been one of great difficulty, and has ended in the misfortune of surrendering my command to the enemy. The Texan troops acted with great kindness to our men, exerting themselves in carrying water to the famishing ones in the rear; yet it was two days before the infantry could move from the camp, and then only by the assistance of their captors. The officers and men who chose to give their parole were released at Las Cruces, N. Mex. Inclosed is a copy of the terms of surrender. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, I. LYNDE, Major, Seventh Infantry. The ACTING ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL, [Inclosure.] Terms of surrender of U. S. troops to C. S. troops, July 27, 1861, San Augustine Springs, N. Mex. The undersigned, Maj. I. Lynde, Seventh Infantry, U. S. Army, agrees to surrender his command on conditions that they receive the treatment of prisoners of war, families secure from insult, private property to be respected. Officers, after giving their parole, can elect which route they prefer in leaving the Department of New Mexico to go to any part of the United States. The enlisted men of the command will be 'disarmed, and given the liberty of the post of Fort Bliss until instructions can be received from General Van Doru, C. S. Army, as to their future disposition. To all which the commanding officer, J. R. Baylor, lieutenant-colonel, C. S. Army, agrees. I. LYNDE, Lieut. Col., Mounted Rifles, C. S. Army. No. 3. Reports of Captain Alfred Gibbs, Third U. S. Cavalry. FORT CRAIG, August 6, 1861. COLONEL: In obedience to orders No. of July 15, from your headquarters, I left Albuquerque on the 18th ultimo, and arrived here on the 22d. I started the next day with 100 head of beef cattle for Fort Fillmore, and arrived at the Point of Rocks, 27 miles from the Rio Grande, on the 26th ultimo. I here met Lieutenant Lane, with Company A, Mounted Rifles, and Dr. Steck, Indian agent, who informed me that the Texans were in force at La Mesilla, and would prevent my junction with Major Lynde. I hired a guide, and, turning off the road, proceeded that night to pass behind Las Cruces and Doña Aña, hoping to get into Fort Fillmore in rear, and thus to avoid capture. On arriving at San Augustine Springs, or rather the Pass of La Cueva, 5 miles this side, 1 found Major Lynde's command in full retreat for Fort Stanton. I reported myself, with 35 men of Company I and-10 of Company G, Mounted Rifles-the last the escort to the mail I met upon the road, and which I ordered to join me-to Lieutenant Brooks, Major Lynde's adjutant, and with him proceeded 5 miles to the front, to report myself to Major Lynde, as directed in your instructions. I also reported to the major that I had seen a force of Texans approaching, and that I thought they would molest our rear. Major Lynde asked what force I had, and I replied 70 men, all told. He said that there were two companies of infantry on rear guard in addition, and that would be sufficient. He then turned back and returned to San Augustine Springs. It will be well here to mention that the infantry had been marched up to noon 20 miles without water, and that under the bushes by the side of the road over 150 men were lying, unable to rise or to carry their muskets, and useless and disorganized in every way. This was the rear guard on which I was ordered to rely. Major Lynde had not seen it |