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

least 100 mounted men and two companies of New Mexican volunteers, the whole to be under the command of Captain Duncan, Mounted Rifles, for the protection of the trains on the road from the crossing of the Arkansas to Fort Union. The command will move as lightly equipped as possible, and will take with it rations for thirty days. As the service will be performed on or near the road, wagon transportation will be used, but a few fresh mules should be taken to meet the contingency of temporary detachments if it should be necessary to make any. A party of ten spies and guides will be attached to the command, and particular care should be taken in selecting them. You will please indicate to Captain Duncan that the lieutenant-colonel commanding trusts entirely to his discretion for the protection of the trains, and that he will take such measures as may, in his judgement, be most necessary to accomplish this object. He thinks proper, however, to suggest that the commanded should be kept as compact as possible; that no detachments should be made if it is possible to avoid it, and the country in his front and flank should be thoroughly searched by the spies attached to his command.

The commanding officer at Fort Larned has been requested to advise trains passing that post to keep up the Arkansas and come into New Mexico by the Raton route.

Captain Duncan will be relieved in season to return to Fort Union at the expiration of thirty days for which provisioned, if it should be found necessary to keep out a command for a longer period. It has been found necessary to send the company of the Fifth Infantry intended for Fort Union to Fort Stanton,a nd a company of the Tenth Infantry has been ordered to report to you in its place.

Very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,

A. L. ANDERSON, Second Lieutenant, Fifth Infantry, A. A. A. G.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NEW MEXICO, Santa Fe, N. Mex., June 39, 1861.

COMMANDING OFFICER, Fort Buchanan, N. Mex.:

SIR: I inclose an extract from special orders directing the abandonment of Fort Buchanan, which should be done with as little delay as is consistent with the proper disposition of the property at your post and other interest in your charge. If the abandonment of Fort Buchana has not yet been completed, it will be hastened as much as possible. The command will move in one body, if it be possible to procure the necessary transportation for the whole command, and prepared to resist attack from any quarter. Your artillery may possibly be needed, and should be put in a condition for service. If there should be any loyal citizens in the neighborhood of your post that wish to occupy the improvements that have been made at Fort Buchanan, you are authorized to turn it over to them.

At this distance, and under circumstances, no special instructions can be given to you, but you will exercise your own judgment in carrying out this object in the manner that will best subserve the interests of the Fort Craig, and you will please advise the commanding officer of the receipt by the return of the expressman.

Very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,

A. L. ANDERSON, Second Lieutenant, Fifth Infantry, A. A. A. G.

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