E. D. R. S. Canby to Headquarters Western Department, August 16, 1861

Santa Fé, August 16, 1861.

To the ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL, Headquarters Western Department, St. Louis, Mo.:

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of General Orders, No. 1, of the 25th ultimo,t and to submit for the information of the commanding general a summary statement of the affairs of this department.

Colonel Loring, late commander of the department, left this post on the 11th and the department on the 23d of June last. On the 14th of that month the instructions of the General-in-Chief to withdraw the infantry force from the department were received, and measures were immediately taken to bring them in from the interior and most distant posts. By the same instructions the commander of the department was instructed to post the regular troops remaining in the department and sueh volunteers as would be presented to him so as to best protect the United States. No instructions were then or have since been received in relation to the volunteers, and the agent, who it was understood had been appointed for the purpose of organizing them, did not reach this country until last night. Requisitions were, however, made

upon the governors of this and of Colorado Territory for such volun-

~ teers as were required to replace the troops to be withdrawn. As the southern part of the Territory was in a very disturbed condition in consequence of Indian hostilities and the revolutionary efforts of.

a few individuals, it was considered necessary to establish a strong force

(one mounted and seven infantry companies) at Fort Fillmore to protect

E the interests of the United States in that quarter and cover the with- drawal of the troops from the interior of Arizona.

i Ten Ar 64 — OPERATIONS IN TEX., N. MEX., AND ARIZ. [Oma X. L.

It soon beeame apparent that the volunteer forces could not be relied on for the defense of this Territory, unless supported by a eonsiderable force of regular troops. This fact was represented in a special report of the 20th of June. On the 12th of July instruetions were reeeived for the withdrawal of the remainder of the regular troops, and an officer of the department staff (Captain Wainwright) was sent to the headquarters of the Army to represent that if all the regular troops were removed, it would inevitably result in the abandonment of the country and the absolute loss of the immense amount of publie property already in or en route to the Territory. :

In consequence of the anticipated arrivals of Texan re-enforcements – on the line below Fort Fillmore, that post was re-enforced by two additional companies of mounted troops, and Forts Stanton and Craig were – strengthened. On the 15th of July the commanding officer at Fort Fillmore was advised that Fort Fillmore would be abandoned, and was instructed to remove the publie property, so as to abandon the post as soon as the troops from Arizona had passed up; the regular troops from Forts Stanton and Craig to be withdrawn as soon as volunteers could be raised to replace them. nS Ee DE

On the 25th of July a Texan force occupied the town of Mesilla, and after an unsuccessful attempt to dislodge it Major Lynde abandoned his post, and on the 27th surrendered his entire command (about 500 men) to an inferior force of Texans. I have abstained from making any comments upon this transaction, for the reason that Major Lynde’s conduct will be made the subject of a judicial investigation.

‘The troops surrendered were paroled by the Texans, and are now on their march for Fort Union. They will be sent out of the country, and may, I presume, be employed on the overland route to California.

A copy of the terms of surrender is herewith inclosed. For the purpose of supporting the troops at the South and resisting any further invasion of the country Fort Stanton was abandoned, and a part of the troops at that post and those being withdrawn from Fort Fauntleroy were concentrated at Fort Craig. At the time of Major Lynde’s surrender two companies of the First Dragoons and two companies of the Seventh Infantry, under Captain Moore, were on their march to the river, but having been apprised by expresses from Fort Craig, destroyed a portion of his baggage, and conducting his command by a mountainous trail, reached Fort Craig on the Sth instant. Fort Union and Fort Craig are now strongly occupied, and may be regarded as the initial points both for offensive and defensive operations. The headquarters of the First Regiment of New Mexican Volunteers have been established at the former, and those of the Second will be at the latter, as – soon as it can be organized. Ihave not yet succeeded in organizing a mounted force to replace the cavalry, as thus far but three companies have been raised, but I hope in a few days to have several completed – and mustered into the service.

_ I have heretofore called the General-in-Chief’s attention to the des- — titute condition of this department in military resources and supplies of every kind. ‘There is not artillery enough in the department to arm a single post properly, and the supply of ammunition, except for smallarms, is exceedingly limited. Remounts for cavalry horses and draught _ animals for the quartermaster’s department cannot be procured in the – department, and the estimates made upon the Quartermaster-General have not yet been answered.

No information has yet been received with regard to the annual supply of ordnance stores required for the use of the troops in the departj

į \ A] Low : Y My E EA A quoe ta A 4 SOME A RAN IAS GR Sl ea STATENE SIAF

tree

‘Cuar. XI]. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.—UNION.

ment. If it is the intention of the Government to retain this department, I urgently recommend that the supplies necessary for the efficiency of the troops (regulars or volunteers), and especially those already estimated for, should be furnished as soon as practicable.

Very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,