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

fear that his influence, coupled with other causes, may have been productive of evil in that quarter, but I hope that a sufficient force was concentrated at Fort Fillmore in season to counteract the designs of the Texans upon that post. Major Lynde, with a portion of the command from Fort McLane, was expected on the 5th instant, and I think that there are by this time eight or ten companies at that post, which will be sufficient, I think, to resist the threatened invasion, and give time and cover for any movements that may be necessary to protect the interests of the United States in that quarter.

A command of about 300 men, regulars and volunteers, will be detached from Fort Union for the protection of the trains coming into this country from the Missouri frontier. This force will be sufficient to secure them against the attacks of Indians or marauding parties, but not against a large organized force from the frontiers of Arkansas or Texas.

The inclosed papers will give the General-in-Chief some idea of the state of affairs in the South, but I hope that the measures that have been taken and are in progress will be sufficient to defeat these designs.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,

ED. R. S. CANBY, Major Tenth Infantry and Bvt. Lieutenant Colonel , Commanding Dep't.

[Inclosures.]

HART'S MILL, EL PASO, TEX., June 12, 1861.

Colonel W. W. LORING:

MY DEAR LORING: We are at last under the glorious banner of the Confederate States of America. It was indeed a glorious sensation of protection, hope, and pride. Though its folds were modest and unpretending, the emblem was still there. The very Southern verdure and familiar foliage, as we progressed on our journey, filled us with enthusiasm and home feeling.

We shall have no trouble from here down to San Antonio. The stage runs regularly semi-weekly, carrying five passengers and a reasonable amount of baggage, reaching San Antonio in six days; thence to Berwick Bay in stages, and to New Orleans by rail. Van Dorn is in command at San Antonio. He has ordered four companies of Texas troops to garrison this post. They cannot be expected to reach here, however, before the 1st proximo. Meanwhile, Colonel Magoffin, Judge Hart, and Crosby are very much exercised and concerned on account of the public stores here in their present unguarded condition.

There are full supplies of subsistence and ammunition here for two or more companies for twelve months. The loss of these supplies by capture or destruction would occasion serious embarrassment to the cause. The gentlemen I have named have applied to me for advice in the premises. I have promised to hasten on from below by forced marches the cavalry force en route here. Meanwhile you may, by delaying your own departure a week or two, add much to the security of this property.

I regret now more than ever the sickly-sentimentality (I can call it by no other name) by which I was overruled in my desire to bring my whole command with me. I am satisfied now of the disaffection of the best of the rank and file in New Mexico, and that we are regarded as having betrayed and deserted them. I wish I had my part to play over again; no such peace scruples should deter me form doing what I considered a bounden duty to my friends and my cause. I do not advocate the meeting of duplicity and dishonesty by the like weapons, but