CHAP. XI.] SKIRMISHES AT CANADA ALAMOSA, N. MEX, ETC.
but for others it is an easy thing to find fault when it is too late to do any good. If I had sent my wagons off and divided my company into four or five spy parties, and had them out only one day before, no loss, or very little loss, would have been experienced,a nd in all probability I would not be a prisoner now. The word "if" is a great word. If Captain Coopwood had delayed his attack until the next morning, cutting off our retreat, which he could have done, not a horse or man of mine could have escaped. He nevertheless had plenty of good reasons to act as he did.
Not being permitted to report the further movements of the enemy, I only state that my second lieutenant, M. Medina, was badly wounded in the upper leg the next day by our own men; the bone is probably hurt, but the wound will not prove fatal; Mr. Peter Deus, of Las Cruces, an old friend of mine, has taken care of him. John Morrin, the teamster before alluded to, is in the hospital at this place, doing well. I am under parole not to leave the headquarters of Colonel Baylor without his permission. We are all well treated so far; receive our rations, and up to this hour have not heard a single unkind word from officers or men, although they have to deplore the loss of two of their best men killed in the action which took same party about 30 miles below the Almosa, and, furthermore, have about seven wounded in the hospital.
I submit the report to the kind consideration of the colonel commanding, and have the honor to be, most respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN H. MINKS, New Mexico Mounted Volunteers.
Colonel E. R. S. CANBY, Commanding U. S. Forces in New Mexico.
Numbers 3. Report of Captain Robert M. Morris, Third U. S. Cavalry, of skirmish near Fort Thorn.
FORT CRAIG, N. MEX., September 29, 1861.
CAPTAIN: In obedience to your verbal order given me at 9 a. m. on the 25th instant, I moved with Companies C, G, and K, Regiment of Mounted Riflemen, to the relief of Captain Minks' mounted volunteers, at Canada Alamosa. I reached that point at 4.30 p. m. I should state that I ordered Captain Hubbell's company to join my command form their camp opposite Panago, which was under the command of Lieutenant Hubbell, the first lieutenant.
Arriving at Canada Alamosa, I found that a number of ponies were too wearied to proceed at any gait. I therefore left Lieutenant Brady (who was too sick to proceed) in charge of the camp, and resumed my march with 101 rank and file on the trail of the Texan force which had captured Captain Minks, marching until 3 a. m. of the following morning, rested until daylight, then proceeded on the trail.
Lieutenant Cooley, of the Second Volunteer Regiment (who acted as my aide-de-camp), riding in advance, discovered the Texans encamped. I then formed my command to charge, but upon examining their position I saw it was futile to attempt it at that time.
To test their strength I ordered Lieutenant Treacy with his company
