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

march can be provided, and those of the Seventh Infantry at Fort Fillmore.

Since my report of the 11th instant* information has been received here giving greater consistency to the rumored invasion of this Territory by the people of Texas, and I have in consequence taken measures to hasten as much as possible the concentration of troops at Fort Fillmore, and hope in a few days to have a sufficient force at that point to secure the interests of the United States against attack from any quarters. The headquarters of the Seventh Infantry will be temporarily established at that post, and the troops in that quarter placed under the orders of the senior officer (Major Lyne, Seventh Infantry), with such instructions as will enable him to meet any emergency. This information applies also to the trains on their way to this country form the Missouri frontier, and I have given instructions to prepare a mounted force to move in the direction of the Arkansas River for the protection of these trains. If necessary I shall anticipate the orders of the Department, by calling for a portion of the volunteers immediately, for the purpose of replacing the troops detached on this duty.

The commanding officers at Fort Wise and Fort Larned will be furnished with the information in relation to the anticipated movements of the Texans, in order that they may be on their guard.

Very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,

ED. R. S. CANBY, Major Tenth Infantry, and Bvt. Lieutenant Colonel , U. S. Army.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NEW MEXICO, June 16, 1861.

Bvt. Lieutenant Colonel B. S. ROBERTS, R. M. R., Commanding Fort Stanton, N. Mex.:

SIR: Information from private sources indicates the possibility of a demonstration by Texas troops against the posts and public property in or en route to this department. The particular objects of this demonstration can of course only be conjectured, but the lieutenant-colonel commanding directs me to advise you of the facts, in order that you may be on your guard and prepared to resist attack form any quarter. He desires that you will as fully as possible keep yourself advised of any movements of the Texas troops in the direction of New Mexico, and particularly that you will take measures for watching the approach form that State by the Pecos route. This should e done as quietly as possible, and by Mexicans or friendly Indians, if you can secure the services of men that are perfectly reliable. With the ostensible object of trading with the Indians they would be less liable to attract observation than parties of troops. In carrying out this object you are authorized to employ 15 or 20 Mexicans or Indians as spies and guides, &c. They will be required to furnish their own animals and arms, but will be supplied by you with subsistence and ammunition. The rate of compensation will be the same as has therefore been authorized by department orders for similar services.

It is important, of course, that no unnecessary alarm should be created among the inhabitants in the neighborhood of your post, and you will accordingly take your measures with as much secrecy as possible, and conceal the real some other plausible object.

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*Vol. I of this series, p. 606.

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