James H. Carleton to E.R.S. Canby, August 8, 1862

Brig. Gen. E. R. S. CANBY,

GENERAL: Before arriving at Cooke’s Wells I learned that there was not any water to speak of between that point and El Picacho, on the Rio Grande, fifty-five miles from Cooke’s Wells and six miles above Mesilla. The Rio Grande had divided in the great flood and broken across the country so as to leave the town of Mesilla on an island difficult ef access from the west, and that the facilities for grazing in the neighborhood of Mesilla were bad. This information decided me to strike the Rio Grande at or near Fort Thorn, a distance of not less than thirty-five miles nor more than forty from Cooke’s Wells, but destitute of water the whole way. I arrived here last evening with two companies of cavalry and one of infantry, having left Cooke’s Wells at 8 a.m. The other detachments—West’s, Willis’, and Rigg’s, a day apart—will reach this point, commencing with West’s, to-morrow evening. I leave to-day for the San Diego Crossing, at the foot of the Jornada, and I shall pass the Rio Grande at that point. I have this day written to Colonel Howe that if they have not already left Fort Craig to go up the river. The Colorado Volunteers can leave at once agreeably with your Special Orders, No. 128, current series. I inclose for your information a copy of a note to Colonel West, First California Volunteer Infantry, in relation to sending some provisions to some destitute men, women, and children at the Pino Alto mines. If I have authority to oceupy posts in the northwestern portion of Texas, i. e., Forts Bliss and Quitman, will you permit me to have my headquarters, nay, 7 Hart’s Mill, on the Rio Grande, some three miles above Fort iss? Iam, general,

very respectfully, your obedient servant,