E. D. R. S. Canby, December 28, 1861

The ADJUTANT GENERAL OF THE ARMY, Washington, D. O.:

SIR : I have the honor to report my arrival at this post for the purposes indicated in my report of the 23d instant.

On the 26th I received a report from Colone: Roberts, commanding the troops in this district, communieating the information derived from one of his spies from El Paso, to the effect that the Texas forees in the

ve ^N NPON ae pian Mesilla had been re-enforced by 1,400 men and that 2,000 were moving up the Pecos for the purpose of attacking the central and northern parts of New Mexico. The first part of this information is no doubt mainly true, but the second I think doubtful, and circulated by the Texans for the purpose of dividing the force at this point. It it should be true it will involve some change in projected operations, and to provide for this contingency I have directed the re-enforcement of Fort Union and Santa Fé and the concentration of a large force at Albuquerque.

If the invasion of the country by the Pecos should be attempted this post will bé strongly garrisoned, and I will move with the main body to the Abo Pass (in the direction of the Pecos), eoncentrating as I move all the availablé force from the upper country. Although this reported re-enforcement is larger than I anticipated, my greatest anxiety is with regard to Fort Wise and our communications with the East.

Governor Gilpin has repeatedly been urged to strengthen this post with Colorado volunteers, but it has not yet been done, and I have twice during the past season been obliged to make detachments to re-enforce it at times when the troops could very illy be spared.

Very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,