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

on the soil of a foreign power. He replied that he was acting under the orders of his commanding officer, Colonel Baylor.

As I had not sufficient force to resist him, I obeyed the order under protest, and was brought to this place, together with those who had accompanied me the whole way from Fort Fillmore, which we reached on the morning of the 18th instant.

I was brought into the presence of Colonel Baylor, who told me that I was a prisoner of war. I told him in substance the same I did Lieutenant Adams, saying that I acknowledged no such power as the Southern Confederacy, and that it was a violation of the soil of Mexico. He replied that he had not given any order for my arrest, but that as long as I had been brought to the garrison, he did not see fit to release me; he, however, acknowledged that his command had exceeded their authority in arresting me on the soil of Mexico. He then offered me a parole, which I signed, the only alternative being close confinement.

I have given the full particulars of the matter, with my regret that my mission has been so abruptly terminated. I beg leave to state that I have been treated by Colonel Baylor and his officers with the utmost kindness and consideration. I remain, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

D. C. STITH, First Lieutenant, Fifth Infantry, U. S. Army.

HEADQUARTERS SOUTHERN DISTRICT NEW MEXICO, Fort Fillmore, N. Mex., July 2, 1861.

To the ACTING ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL, Hdqrs. Dept. of New Mexico, Santa Fe, N. Mex.:

SIR: Since my last weekly report no material change has occurred in affairs at this post or in this valley. Scouting parties from Fort Bliss penetrate this country as far as the Cottonwoods (22 miles below this place), and on one occasion I detached a column of infantry for this side and a column of rifles for the other side of the river, to capture or drive back a party said to be at the Mesa, a town 10 miles below this post. The command returned without finding any suspicious bodies of men. On the 18th instant, I detached two companies of infantry, under command of Captain J. H. Potter, Seventh Infantry, and occupied the town of San Tomas, on the opposite side of the river, and distant about two and a half miles. From its location, the town commands the road from El Paso to Mesilla. A series of lagunas between the town and hills prevent the passage of artillery or wagons, and only horsemen could pass over the lava ridge in rear of the town. A detail of 1 non-commissioned officer and 10 mounted men is sent to Captain Potter daily, for such service as may be necessary.

Information has reached me that ammunition is being sent from Fort Bliss to Mesilla. I have accordingly ordered all wagons from that direction to be stopped and searched.

The Apaches have commenced operations in our immediate vicinity. On the night of the 19th instant they killed 2 persons 2 or 3 miles in rear of the post, and stole a pair of horses and the harness, and the next morning killed 2 men and drove off over 2,000 sheep. Application was made to me for mounted troops to pursue them. I declined furnishing any, but stated that when the volunteers called for were forthcoming I would then assist them as far as was in my power.

In compliance with instructions received yesterday from department