CHAP. XI.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-UNION.

Dona Ana County, and will be able to render you valuable assistance in organizing volunteer companies, if you should find it necessary to call for any, or in any event in which you may require his aid. His intimate knowledge of the people in that part of the country will enable him to indicate to you those upon whose fidelity you can rely, and this, at the present juncture, will be a matter of the utmost importance. I have requested him to take charge of these communications, for the reason that I do not feel assured that they would reach you if sent through the post-office, and for the same reason a triplicate of the instructions of the 16th inst. is also sent. My own knowledge of Judge Watts and his reputation here warrant me in saying that you can rely upon him for any service in which you may require the assistance of an active, zealous, and faithful man.

Very respectfully, major, your obedient servant,

ED. R. S. CANBY, Major Tenth Infantry, Bvt. Lieutenant Colonel , Commanding

[Inclosures.]

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NEW MEXICO, Santa Fe, N. Mex., June 23, 1861.

Major ISAAC LYNDE, Seventh Infantry, Commanding Southern District, Department of New Mexico, Fort Fillmore, N. Mex.:

SIR: I am instructed to say that your communication of the 14th instant and Major Paul's report of the 16th instant, in relation to affairs in the Mesilla Valley, have been received. The orders and instructions Paul and yourself. Duplicates of these orders and instructions will be sent herewith. I am instructed to state, for your information, that your command will be re-enforced by two mounted companies: one from Fort Craig and one from Fort Stanton. A requisition has been made upon the governor for volunteers to strengthen the garrisons at Forts Stanton and Craig, and keep open the communication between these posts and Fort Fillmore.

You are authorized, if you should consider it necessary, to call into the service of the United States two or more companies of volunteers from the neighborhood of your post. Three hundred rifles and muskets volunteers that you call for. Twenty thousand rations of subsistence have been ordered from the depot at Albuquerque for the use of your force. Assistant Surgeon Aden will be ordered to report to you for duty with your command. You are requested to transmit, at as early a period for your command, basing them upon the supposition that there will not be less than 2,000 men to be provided for, in order that arrangements may be made for filling them as rapidly and as fully as possible.

It is impossible, at this distance, and with the imperfect knowledge of passing events in your neighborhood, to give you definite instructions, but the lieutenant-colonel commanding relies upon your zeal and judgment to give the greatest effect for defense or for offense to the means that will be under your control. The present strength of Fort Bliss and the period of the expected arrival of the re-enforcement from Texas are not known here, but it is scarcely necessary to suggest to you that the frontier in charge could be more permanently secured from invasion by the seizure of that post and the property of the United States now