Henry H. Sibley to Samuel Cooper, November 8, 1861

General S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General C. S. Army:

, GENERAL: I have the honor to forward herewith for your information certain letters from Lieutenant-Colonel Baylor, Judge Crosby, and . Judge Hart, relative to military movements on both sides in the Territory of New Mexico. I regard the probable advance of the Federal forces there as a movement decidedly to be desired by us, and that so soon as my force shall reach the field of action it must result in the destruction or capture of the enemy’s forces. It is no doubt induced by the threatened attack of Lieutenant-Colonel Baylor on Fort Craig, made by my orders. Colonel Reily’s regiment of my brigade is by this time some 250 miles en route. Colonel Green’s broke camp yesterday, and my third regiment (Colonel Steele’s) will follow very soon. Not an hour shall be lost in pushing forward the whole force. The delays here- . tofore encountered have been unavoidable. Messrs. Crosby and Hart — are engaged under my authority in procuring supplies for my command, which I state here as explanatory of their letters.

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