A; L. Anderson to Johnson K. Duncan, June 30, 1861

Santa Fé, N. Mex., June 30, 1861. COMMANDING OFFICER, Fort Union, N. Mex. : ves SIR: I am instructed by the lieutenant-colonel commanding to say that, as the companies of New Mexican volunteers to be mustered into the service at Fort Union are equipped, you will organize a command of at

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m DE oL ILE UELUT X E is Vu. NE s m D > / T E A A es d – z the whole to be under the command of Captain Duncan, Mounted Rifles for the protection of the trains on the road from the crossing of the Arkansas to Fort Union. The command will move as lightly equipped as possible, and will take with it rations for thirty days. As the service

least 100 mounted men and two companies of New Mexican volunteers, will be performed on or near the road, wagon transportation will be used,

but a few fresh mules should be taken to meet the contingency of temporary detachments if it should be necessary to make any. A party of ten spies and guides will be attached to the command, and partieular care should be taken in selecting them. You will please indicate to Captain Duncan that the lieutenant-colonel commanding trusts entirely to his discretion for the protection of the trains, and that he will take such measures as may, in his judgment, be most necessary to aecomplish this object. Hethinks proper, however, to suggest that the command should be kept as compact as possible; that no detachments should be made if it is possible to avoid it, and the country in his front and flank should be thoroughly searched by the spies attached to his command.

The commanding officer at Fort Larned has been réquested to advise trains passing that post to keep up the Arkansas and come into New Mexico by the Raton route.

Captain Duncan will be relieved in season to return to Fort Union at – the expiration of thirty days for which provisioned, if it should be found necessary to keep out a command for a longer period. It has been found necessary to send the company of the Fifth Infantry intended for Fort Union to Fort Stanton, and a company of the Tenth Infantry has been ordered to report to you in its place. ‘

Very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,