A. L. Anderson to Isaac Lynde, June 16, 1861

. HEADQUARTERS,

June 16, 1861.

dy Santa Fé, N. Mex. June 16, 1861. Maj. I. LYNDE, : Seventh Inf., Comdg. Southern Mil. Dist. of N. Mex., Fort McLane:

SrR: Information from private but reliable sources indicates the possibility of a demonstration by the people of Texas, aided perhaps by some disaffected individuals in Arizona, against the posts and property of the United States in that Territory, and Colonel Canby desires that you will at once concentrate such a force at Fort Fillmore as will enable you to resist an attack from any quarter.

To do this Fort MeLane will at once be abandoned, and the troops and publie property transferred to Fort Fillmore. The transportation at both posts and any that can be hired in the neighborhood of either will be employed for this purpose. When the concentration is effected it is believed that you will have under your command a sufficient force to prevent or defeat any attempt of this character. If satisfied of your ability to do this, the transfer of the companies of the First Dragoons to Fort Buchanan will proceed as indicated in Special Orders, No. 85, of the 14th instant, the four companies constituting the garrison of Fort Buchanan until further orders; but if these posts should _ be threatened by a force which in your judgment cannot be resisted, you

will take such measures for abandoning them às will best subserve the -interests of the Government, transferring the troops and property to other posts in this or in the Department of California (Fort Yuma), as may be determined by circumstances. 1t is of course important that

both troops and property should be transferred to Fort Fillmore or other posts in this department if it can be done without endangering the loss of one or both, but in no event will stores of any kind be allowed to fall into the hands of the invaders if it be possible to remove or destroy them.

It is understood here that Mr. Grant, late a contractor for supplying the posts in Arizona, has a train of wagons at Tucson, which may probably be hired or purchased if these movements become necessary.

Itis probable that Fort Buchanan is the only post in the interior of Arizona that will be retained, and the effort to maintain that will be

contingent upon the loyalty of the neighboring population. ` You are desired to keep yourself as fully informed as possible of the movements of the Texas troops at and below Fort Bliss, the strength of the garrisons at that post and Fort Quitman, of any re-enforeements that they may receive, and any movements that may be made in the direction of any post of New Mexico, keeping these headquarters advised as frequently and as speedily as possible.

The extent of the disaffection in the Mesilla Valley is not fully known here, and probably will not be fully developed there until the civil authorities enter upon their duties. The action of the civil authorities will not be anticipated by the military authorities, but any active opposition to the Government of the United States, any measures that would be likely to endanger the safety of your command, or any efforts to farnish assistance to Texas by raising troops or sending supplies of any kind will be quietly but effectually frustrated.

” Efforts have been made, and will no doubt continue to be made, to induce the men to desert, and to carry with them into Texas publie property of every description, and particularly arms and ammunition. Every effort will be used to defeat these attempts, and particularly to prevent the transfer of arms and ammunition into Texas.

It is stated here upon good authority that the collector of customs at Las Cruces, who is also the sutler at Fort Fillmore, has openly expressed – his determination to turn over the funds of the United States in his possession to the State of Texas. It will be the duty of the military authorities to prevent this and similar thefts of publie funds and property by every means that may be in their power.

Colonel Canby desires that you will not consider yourself trammeled by instruetions, but will do whatever in your judgment will best secure the interest of the United States and maintain the honor of its flag, and he wishes you to feel assured that you will be supported by every means in his power.

A copy of this communication will be sent to Major Paul, at Fort Fillmore, for his information, and for such action as may be necessary before your arrival at that post.

Very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,

Second, Lieutenant, Fifth Infantry, A. A. A. G.