Sixth Infantry, July 15, 1861

MAJOR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt on the 13th instant of the communication dated June 23 from the headquarters of the department. The rumor referred to, like many others, has reached us, and of course our earnest attention has been given to the matter. Nothing as yet has come to our knowledge to indicate any likelihood of such a movement being contemplated at this time, or at a very early future. As an expedition of the kind must pass through the eastern part of the Gadsden purchase, and within about forty miles of Tucson, to get a practicable route toward Guaymas, we should be likely to obtain early information of it from the loyal citizens of that place. I shall endeavor, at any rate, by the earliest opportunity to obtain from Tucson the most prompt and reliable news. I can depend on the few people in this vicinity to keep me fully advised of all they may learn. I would most respectfully suggest, in reference to another rumor that has reached us, so vague, however, as scarcely to justify this notice of it, that an addition to this garrison is contemplated; that if so, unless there should be a paramount necessity for it, no troops should be sent to the post during the present or next month, if they are to march through the desert. Such march could not be effected without greatly impairing the efficiency of the troops, coming as they would from a comparatively cool region into one where the heat is excessive and exceedingly debilitating, and the supplies of water scanty and generally bad. For the last thirty-one days we have had a continued spell of extremely hot weather, the mean at 2 o’clock, the official hour of observation, being upward of 10819, and the hottest portion of the day is almost invariably at a later hour. No decided amelioration in this respect can be looked for until late in September.

I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,