CHAP. XI.] SURRENDER AT SAN AUGUSTINE SPRINGS, N. MEX.

Major Lynde's command was composed of eight companies of infantry and four of cavalry, with four pieces of artillery, the whole numbering nearly 700 men. My own force at the surrender 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 more me to do so.

After getting rid of the prisoners I immediately selected a strong position near the village of Picacho to await the arrival of Captain Moore's command. Here I was joined by Brigadier General A. S. Johnston, 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 Captain Alonzo Riddley. I tendered to Brigadier-General Johnston 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 August and 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 abstracts 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 Picacho 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 commanding 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 quartermaster'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