OPERATIONS IN TEX., N. MEX., AND ARIZ.[CHAP. XI.

AUGUST 23, 1861-Skirmish near Fort Craig, N. Mex.

Report of Lieutenant Colonel John R. Baylor, C. S. Army.

HEADQUARTERS, Fort Bliss, August 25, 1861.

SIR: I have the honor to report the capture of a detachment from Fort Craig of 9 men and a Captain Hubbell, of the New Mexico volunteers. From them I learn that there are now at Craig 350 regular troops and 180 New Mexico volunteers. There is no artillery at Craig, and I could easily take the place but for the jaded condition of my horses, many of which are unfit for service. I would suggest that a strong force be stationed here, as I can do nothing towards ridding the country of Indians while the United States troops occupy New Mexico, as my force is too weak to divide.

I have the honor to be, respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN R. BAYLOR, Lieutenant Colonel , Commanding Mounted Rifles, C. S. Army.

General EARL VAN DORN.

AUGUST 25-SEPTEMBER 8, 1861.-Operations against Indians about Fort Stanton, N. Mex.

Report of Lieutenant John R. Pulliam, C. S. Army.

FORT STANTON, ARIZ., August 25 [?], 1861.

SIR: Captain Walker having left post this morning for Fort Bliss, I came in command. The condition of the country being such as to render it necessary to keep out spies in the direction of Forts Union and Craig, have thought it a matter of precaution to have men on the lookout to prevent a surprise from the Federal troops, who were concentrating at the before-mentioned forts. The following day I detailed four men to march to the Gallinas Mountains, distant about 75 miles, in a northwestern direction, where they could obtain a position commanding a view of all roads leading to Fort Stanton by which an enemy might approach.

August 29.-Dr. R. H. Dryden, in company with McComb and Hall's train, arrived. The former was furnished quarters, and took his position as post surgeon. Orders were issued calling for surplus stores over the company's rations for two months. The train was loaded, and started for Fort Bliss the following day.

September 1.-Last night a spy party returned, and reported having seen no indications of any advancing enemy. At sundown detailed 4 men-T. G. Pemberton, Joseph V. Mosse, Joseph Emmanacker, and Floyd A. Sanders-to proceed to the Gallinas Mountains. My instructions were, in consequence of the situation of the water and dangerous proximity of hostile Indians, very explicit. My orders were to reach the water on the morning of the second day, water the horses, fill up canteens, leave he spring, and noon at a safe and sufficient distance away; but on account of feeling convinced that there was no danger there, the men, contrary to orders, camped at about 1000 yards above the spring in a grove of pine trees, where they and their fire were visible to any person going to the spring form the road. While in the act of cook-