ES i OHN R. BAYLOR to Col., Comdg. C. S. Forces in Arizona, September 21, 1861

à HEADQUARTERS,
September 21, 1861.
q Doña As, Ariz., September 21, 1861.

SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the engagement at Mesilla on the 25th of July; the capture of the United States forces the day after the next succeeding at San Augustine Springs, in the Organ Mountains, Territory of Arizona, and of my operations in the Territory up to the present time:

On assuming command at Fort Bliss I ascertained that the United States forces were concentrating in strong force at Fort. Fillmore, and

d , from the proximity of that post I supposed that the object of the enemy – was to attack the forces under my command at Fort Bliss. I was satisfied that if I permitted them to concentrate, my command was too weak to maintain my position. I therefore determined to attack the enemy.

. in detail, and prevent, if possible, the contemplated concentration. For

-that purpose I sent a detachment, under Major Waller, to reconnoiter Fort Fillmore and see the position of the enemy’s pickets, also whether the fort could be approached without discovery. The report of Major Waller satisfied me that I could easily in the night gain a position between the fort and the river (Rio Grande), and cut off the animals as they went to water; then the enemy would have to attack me in a strong position, thus rendering the protection afforded by the fort of no use. I accordingly took up the line of march in the night of the 23d of

July with 258 men, and in the night of the 24th succeeded in taking a

position on the river near Fort.Fillmore. The surprise of the enemy would have been complete but for the desertion of a private from Capt.

^T. F. Tees company, who reported to Major Lynde our strength and position. The long-roll was distinctly heard, which apprised us that our approach was known to the enemy. -On the morning of the 25th I determined to occupy Mesilla, and prevent, if possible, the enemy from getting a position there, as it was one that would be easily held, and would enable them to hold the country.

IT reached Mesilla in the afternoon of the 25th, and was soon informed

that the enemy were marching to attack us. I posted my men in position and awaited the arrival of the enemy. At about 5 o’clock I dis— covered their cavalry approaching the town by the main road, and soon – . after the infantry came in sight, bringing with them three howitzers.

They formed within 300 yards, and were, as near as I could tell, about -600 strong. A flag was sent in to demand the “unconditional and im- mediate surrender of the Texas forces,” to which I answered that “we

would fight first, and surrender afterward.” The answer was followed

by the enemy opening on us with their howitzers. After four or five

rounds of bombs, grape, and canister, the cavalry formed and marched

up within 250 yards, preparatory to making a charge. Captain Hardeman’s company, being in position nearest the enemy, was. ordered to . 2 R R—VOL IV y

open on them with his front rank, to see if they were within range of our guns. The fire was well directed and proved effective, killing 4 of the enemy and wounding 7. The cavalry was thrown into confusion and retreated hastily, running over the infantry. In a few moments

the enemy were marching back in the direction of their fort; but supposing it to be a feint, intended to draw me from my position, I did not pursue them, but kept my position until next morning, the 26th, expecting that they would attack us under cover of night. _ The enemy not appearing, 1 sent my spies to reconnoiter, and discover, if possible, their movements. The spies reported the enemy at

work at the fort making breastworks, and evidently preparing to defend

themselves. Upon hearing this, I sent an express to Fort Bliss, ordering :

up the artillery to attack the fort on the arrival of my re-enforcements.

On the morning of the 27th, a little after daylight, my spies reported a column of dust seen in the direction of the Organ Mountains, distant 15 miles, on the Fort Stanton road. I could from the top of a house

with a glass see the movements of the enemy. – I immediately ordered .

the command to saddle and mount, for the purpose of intercepting them at San Augustine Pass. I had reached the river, distant 1 mile, when I received intelligence that a messenger had arrived from the fort, and stated that the enemy had fired the buildings; that it had been extinguished, and that but little had been destroyed. I at once ordered Major Waller to take a detachment of men and go to the fort, and save, if

possible, the property therein, and to leave men enough to guard the post,

and then overtake me as soon as possible. On reaehing the foot of the mountain, distant about 15 miles, I could see the rear:of the enemy, composed chiefly of famished stragglers, endeavoring to make their way to water. I disarmed and collected a number of them, and finding most of them dying of thirst, we gave them the water we had, and were compelled ourselves to go to a spring in the mountain for water. -Lieutenant Baylor and Mr. Barnes, a citizen of Las Cruces, who acted as guide,

found 24 of the enemy at the spring, who had from exhaustion gone to.

sleep, whom they captured.

After getting water for my men I started in pursuit of the enemy, ; who had passed through San Augustine Pass. I was delayed for some

time here waiting for Major Waller, who, mistaking, my orders, had carried with him the whole command, except Captain Hardeman’s company, –

to Fort Fillmore. So soon as they joined me I started in pursuit, and

found the enemy’s cavalry drawn up to cover the retreat of theinfantry _

through the Pass. These I charged with Captain Hardeman’s company. They retreated in haste, leaving behind them their wagons and artillery and all their supplies. Upon gaining the summit of the Pass, a plain view

of the road to the San Augustine Springs was presented. The road for – assented, asking that private property should be respected. The articles of capitulation were signed, and the-order given for the enemy to

stack arms.

and four of cavalry, with four pieces of artillery, the whole numbering nearly 700 men. My own force at the surrendér was less than 200. I

regret to report that the regimental colors were burned by the enemy

to avoid surrendering them. :

I was delayed at the place of surrender for two days on account of

the condition of the enemy and the want of transportation. As soon as possible I marched them to Las Cruces and there paroled them, as I was informed that Captain Moore was en route for Fort Fillmore, from Fort Buchanan, with 250 men. I could not guard the prisoners I had and meet the coming forces. Being desirous, too, to afflict the enemy in every way, I considered that it was much better for them to bear the expense of finding the prisoners than for me to do so. ; – After getting rid of the prisoners I immediately selected a strong po- -sition near the village of Picacho to await the arrival of Captain Moore’s command. Here I was joined by Brig. Gen. A. S. J ohnston, with a : party of officers of the U. S. Army, who had resigned and were en route . for Richmond, Va.; also a party of Californians, under Capt. Alonzo Ridley. I tendered to Brigadier-General Johnsto the command of my forces, believing that the best interest of the service required. that I should relinquish the command to an officer of his rank and distinguished ability, which he did me the honor to accept, and remained in command until there was no further necessity for his services. He sent Captain Coopwood’s spy company to meet the enemy and send him word where they were, and to watch their movements and prevent any communication with them. “The spies discovered them on the Miembres, and reported them moving carelessly, evidently not suspecting danger. On the night of the 6th of August an express reached Captain Moore from Fort Craig, telling him of the defeat of Major Lynde’s command, and ordering him to burn up his transportation and supplies; and make his escape to that place. This was done. The jaded condition of our – animals alone prevented us from capturing them.

The accompanying abstraets of quartermaster’s, subsistence, medical, and ordnance stores will show but a part of the property captured, much of it having been stolen and destroyed while I was awaiting the enemy at Pieacho and some since I have left the command to Major Waller. A number of muster rolls are lost, the remainder only showing about half of the prisoners captured ; also the correspondence with the com:

. manding officer in reference to his regimental colors was lost. I regret the loss of these papers, but in the hurry and excitement it was unavoidable. I can only give the number of the enemy as it was reported to me by the officers captured.

On the 10th of August an express reached me from Fort Stanton, stating that the news of the capture of Major Lynde’s command had created a stampede among the United States troops, who hastily abandoned the fort after having destroyed a considerable portion of their supplies and Government property of all kinds, and all would have been destroyed but for a storm of rain, which extinguished the fire intended by the enemy to destroy the fort. The few citizens living near

the fort took possession of it, and saved a valuable lot of quartermas- .

ter’s and commissary stores. The Mexicans and Indians in large numbers demanded the right to pillage the fort, which was granted. The citizens, being too weak to resist, not knowing that they would get aid from me or not, were forced to abandon the fort to the Mexicans and

Indians. Captain Walker’s company, on the receipt of the express from

Fort Stanton, was ordered to that post, and he succeeded in recovering

. Major Lynde’s command was composed of eight companies of infantry

a portion of the property stolen. For particulars of his operations I refer you to his report. I sent a train to bring from Fort Stanton all the property and stores of value. The invoices will acquaint you with the property recovered from the post. I will mention, among other things, four pieces of artillery, two of whieh are uninjured and two so much injured as to be of no use. E

Believing that the interest of Arizona demanded imperatively some form of government, I issued my proclamation, of date 1st of August, 1861, to the people, a copy of which I forward you. i

I cannot conclude this report without alluding to the courage, fortitude, and patriotism of the officers and soldiers of my command and to those citizens who participated with us. All did nobly their part. I cannot make distinction between men so willing and ready to do their whole duty. To the courage of my officers and men the country is indebted for the success of our arms and the acquisition of a Territory valuable in many respects.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

ES i OHN R. BAYLOR,

Capt. ‘T. A. WASHINGTON, Å¡ To the People of the Territory of Arizona:
The social and political condition of Arizona being little short of gen- –
eral anarchy, and the people being literally destitute of law, order, and