A. L. Anderson to Lieut. Col. W. M. Chapman, June 19, 1861

Santa Fé, N. Mex., June 19, 1861. Bvt. Lieut. Col. W. M. CHAPMAN, Major Second Infantry, Comdg. Fort Union, N. Mex. : SIR: The lieutenant-colonel commanding desires that you will organize a small party of spies, for the purpose of watching the road from Fort Smith to Anton Chico, and another for the purpose of watching

the country east of Fort Union and south of the road to the crossing of .

the Arkansas. These parties should be composed of Mexicans or Indians, if reliable men can be found, as under the ostensible object of trading with the Indians they will be less likely to attract observation than partiesof troops. They will be required to furnish theirown animals and arms, but will be furnished by you with subsistence and ammunition. The compensation will be the same as has heretofore been allowed by department orders for similar services. It is important that the parties should be organized as quietly as possible, and that the real object of the service should be cloaked under some plausible pretext. They should be advanced so far in both directions as to be able to give you

timely information of any movements being made in the direction of the.

frontier or against the trains on the road.

Arrangements are being made by the War Department for guarding the line of communication between the Missouri frontier and this country. The extent of these arrangements is not fully known here, but no apprehensions are entertained except for the trains that may now be between your post and the crossing of the Arkansas. If you should apprehend

any danger for them, you will, without waiting for instructions, make

the best arrangements that may be in your power for their protection. If it be necessary, in order to replace any portion of your command that may be detached for this purpose, you are authorized to call into the service two or more companies of volunteers to Strengthen your command. These companies, if called for, will be regarded as a part of the.

two regiments to.be raised in New Mexico, and their organization will conform to the minimum organization prescribed in War Department General Orders, No. 15, of the 4th ultimo.

On the 14th instant two companies of the Fifth Infantry were ordered -= ——

from Fort Fauntleroy, for the purpose of strengthening the cepots at _

Albuquerque and Fort Union, but it will be some time before the company intended for your post can reach it, and in the mean time the lieutenant-colonel commanding does not wish the strength of the garrison at Fort Union to be reduced below 200 men without calling for the volunteers.

You will please report as early as possible any information that you may obtain in reference to the state of affairs in the country to the east and south of your post. .

Three or four Inaians will be sent from this place to Lieutenant Walker’s party, at Hatch’s ranch, to be used for the same purpose as those you are authorized to employ. Instructions in regard to their employment similar to the above will be sent from these headquarters to Lieutenant Walker.

Very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,