James H. Carleton to Joseph R. West, September 8, 1862

Col. JOSEPH R. WEST, Commanding District of Arizona, Mesilla, Ariz.:

COLONEL: I met this morning some paroled prisoners of war. I have heard there are ninety-three of them. They are on their way to Texas. Surgeon Covey, of the C. S. Army, who goes with them, informs me that they have some arms belonging to the United States, with which to defend themselves en route to San Antonio. Give orders so that Lieutenant French, First California Cavalry, whom T sent toward Texas with other prisoners, may bring these arms and this transportation back, escorted by his men. I have not received one word of instruction in relation to these prisoners, and know nothing about them except what I gleaned from orders in Lieutenant Bennett’s possession and from what Surgeon Covey told me. Having these arins they will need no escort from you, and it will not be well to have our men and animals broken down without good cause. Keep them moving. Have no delays at Fillmore. Let them camp down near, but not at, the grazing camp. Do not let them delay at all at Franklin. If care is taken the brigands and others in El Paso will attempt to communicate with them and may be caught. Surgeon Covey should not know the full extent of our force now en route from California.

Be sure and have Wagon-Master Veck report at Peralta with fifteen wagons and the ambulance and team and driver which went below with me (Truett’s).

Assistant Wagon-Master Francis will be placed in charge of the train of twenty-five wagons which are to go to Tucson. No soldier teamster will go with that train, and no man who is mustered as teamster who does not drive a team; nor will any such men be permitted to remain with any train, whether in camp or on the road. All such men will at once be provided with teams, and a like number of soldiers be relieved from extra duty. I desire that you will see that this rule goes into effect atonce. Should a teamster become sick in camp or on the road, his place will be supplied temporarily by a soldier. It follows, therefore, that there will not be a single man mustered as teamster who does not drive a team, nor will any extra man be allowed as a cook for the teamsters. They must cook for themselves. If you can swoop up other people about you who had better travel to Texas, now is a good opportunity to send them to that country.

You must discharge every civil employé whose services are not indispensably necessary.

Please make me a report of the amount of provisions you have on hand and the number of troops, &e., to be rationed, as soon as the Texans have gone.

very respectfully, your obedient servant,