Edwin A. Rigg to James H. Carleton, January 19, 1862

Col. JAMES H. CARLETON, Commanding California Volunteers, Los Angeles, Cal.:

COLONEL: I received your communication dated January 8 last evening, and take advantage of Lieutenant Nichols and Doctor Prentiss, First Cavalry, to writeto you. I have forwarded to you by express which should have reached Los Angeles on the 10th particulars about cattle and hay. Ihave also forwarded to you by express on the 16th important news received here from Tucson. I will also forward to you by to-morrow’s express additional information received confirming the other. There is now no doubt about Baylor being at Tucson with 1,000 men, and that Robinson, of that place, has issued a proclamation declaring all property confiscated which does not belong to unqualified Southern men, including the Arizona Mining Company, Colonel Colt’s, and all others. Major Lally is at Magdalena waiting to see what turn events will take before going to the mine. I have now fears that the hay being cut from Gila to Stanwix will be destroyed. Some thirty tons at Grinnel’s will be sure to fall into their hands. They cannot help but know of hay being put on that road. Ammi White, of the Pima Villages, from his. well-known loyal sentiments will be certain to have his wheat confiscated unless he can be protected by troops. I will send you copies by the regular express which leaves to-morrow morning of the information I have received, but the truth of the troops going does not admit of a doubt, my informant says. I have been reliably informed by a gentleman whose veracity is indisputable that Colonel Baylor, commanding the Southern troops at Mesilla, has appointed a resident of Tucson receiver of confiscated property, and has written to the latter place that he will march for Western Arizona with 900 men (troops) for the purpose of confiscating all property not belonging to citizens of the Southern Confederacy, as soon as General Sibley arrived at the Rio Grande to his relief, which he anticipated in a few days after the date of his letter. He saw Bayior’s letter and is acquainted with the appointee. I send you this by way of San Bernardino, so that in case of accident you would be certain to receive the information.

Very respectfully,