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

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NEW MEXICO, Santa Fe, N. Mex., June 16, 1861.

COMMANDING OFFICERS, Forts Wise and Larned, Kans.:

SIRS: It is stated here that a considerable body of Texas troops are being organized for a special service, and that one of the presumed objects of this organization is an attempt upon the trains now on their way to this country form the Missouri frontier. Much of this is no doubt conjectural, but I have thought proper to advise you of it, in order that you may put those passing your pst on their guard. Will you do me the favor to give me any information that you may possess in relation to the trains now on the road?

Very respectfully, sirs, your obedient servant,

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

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NEW MEXICO, Santa Fe, N. Mex., June 19, 1861.

Bvt. Lieutenant Colonel WM. CHAPMAN, Major Second Infantry, Commanding Fort Union, N. Mex.:

SIR: The lieutenant-colonel commanding desires that you will organize a small party of spies, for the purpose of watching the road from Fort Smith to Anton Chico, and another for the purpose of watching the country east of Fort Union and south of the road to the crossing of the Arkansas. These parties should be composed of Mexicans or Indians, if reliable men can be found, as under the ostensible object of trading with the Indians they will be less likely to attract observation than parties of troops. They will be required to furnish their own animals and arms, bur will be furnished by you with subsistence and ammunition. The donpensation will be the same as has heretofore been allowed by department orders for similar services. It is important that the parties should be organized as quietly as possible, and that the real object should be advanced so far in both directions as to be able to give you timely information of nay movements being made in the direction of the frontier or against the trains on the road.

Arrangements are being made by the War Department for guarding the line of communication between the Missouri frontier and this country. The extent of these arrangements is not fully known here,b ut no apprehension are entertained except for the trains that may now be between your post and the crossing of the Arkansas.If you should apprehend any danger for them, you will, without waiting for instruction, make the best arrangements that maya be in your power for their protection. If it be necessary, in order to replace any portion of your command that may be detached for this purpose, you are authorized to call into the service tow or more companies of volunteers to strengthen you command. These companies, if called for, will be regarded as a part of the two regiments to be raised in New Mexico, and their organization will conform tot he minimum organization prescribed in War Department General Orders, Numbers 15, of the 4th ultimo.

On the 14th instant two companies of the Fifth Infantry were ordered from Fort Fauntleroy, for the purpose of strengthening the depots at