A. T. Bledsoe, August 1, 1861

` Richmond, August 1, 1861.

SIR: I am directed by the Secretary of War to invite your attention to the following suggestions contained in a letter wxitten to the President by Chief Justice M. H. MeWillie, La Mesilla,’ Ariz., and dated, 30th of June, 1861, to wit:

Lincoln has recently ordered the organization in New Mexico of at least two full regiments of mounted volunteers, chiefly for service in Arizona and on the Texas frontier. one of the officers, as I am informed, is none other than the infamous Salazer, of the Santa Fé prisoners notoriety in 1839. “These regiments, under the command of Fred. P. Stanton, of Kansas, are to be in readiness by the 1st of August. There will be about 2,000 United States regulars. As nearly as I can learn, it is intended to concentrate all the regular forces and one regiment of volunteers at Fort Fillmore, 18 miles from the Texas border, early in the same month. As soon as the volunteers are ready the two regiments United States infantry will leave this department for the States. Two regiments of rifles and dragoons will remain. The infantry, before leaving, will concentrate near Santa Fé, then take up the line of march by way of the Independence road to Fort Leavenworth. A convoy with $250,000 recently left the last-named post destined for this depot, to pay off the troops before they leave.

Now, might it not be well, secretly of course and at an early moment, to fit out an expedition to New Mexico, under command of General McCulloch, by way of the Canadian, before Lincoln’s troops are put in motion for the States? The stores, supplies, and munitions of war within New Mexico and Arizona are immense, and I am decidedly of opinion that the game is well worth the ammunition. This movement, if undertaken soon enough, would undoubtedly have the effect to overawe and intimidate the Mexican element, which comprises at least nineteen-twentieths of our entire population.

It is furthermore my impression it is intended to make a descent upon Fort Bliss, in Texas, less than 50 miles distant, garrisoned by 160 infantry, Captain Teel’s company artillery, and two companies Texas cavalry. The expedition, I suggest, would relieve Texas, open communication to the Pacific, and break the line of operations, which, with Lane and Montgomery in Kansas, Stanton in our Territory, Corwine in Mexico, the blockade of our ports and complete possession of our northern frontier is designed to circumvallate the South. One regiment of Cherokees or Choctaws, well mounted, would inspire more wholesome terror in the Mexican population than an

army of Americans. Such an expedition would prove a strategic movement of importance to the South.

These interests are communicated for your information.

Respectfully,