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

&c., as heretofore ordered, at such time and in such manner as will not expose the Territory to conquest or invasion from Texas before the volunteer forces of New Mexico are properly organized, armed, and posted. The general, nevertheless, urges upon you the greatest possible dispatch in these movements.

I am, &c.,

E. D. TOWNSEND, Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NEW MEXICO, Santa Fe, N. Mex., August 14, 1861.

His Excellency GOVERNOR OF COLORADO TERRITORY, Denver City, Colo.:

SIR: I have the honor to transmit a copy of a telegraphic dispatch received since my communication of last night was written.* It gives additional probability to the information I then communicated to you, and I have the honor to recommend that one or two companies of volunteers may be organized at the nearest points in Colorado Territory, for the purpose of supporting Fort Wise, if it should be found necessary. Fort Larned should be substituted in the dispatch for Fort Laramie.

Very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,

ED. R. S. CANBY, Colonel Nineteenth Infantry, Commanding Department.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NEW MEXICO, Santa Fe, August 16, 1861.

To the ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL, Headquarters Western Department, St. Louis, Mo.:

SIR; I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of General Orders, Numbers 1, of the 25th ultimo,# and to submit for the information of the commanding general a summary statement of the affairs of this department.

Colonel Loring, late commander of the department, left this post on the 11th and the department on the 23rd of June last. On the 14th of that month the instructions of the General-in-Chief to withdraw the infantry force from the department were received, and measures were immediately taken to bring them in from the interior and most distant posts. By the same instructions the commander of the department was instructed to post the regular troops remaining in the department and such volunteers as would be presented to him so as to best protect the United States. No instructions were then or have since been received in relatives to the volunteers, and the agent, who it was understood had been appointed for the purpose of organizing them, did not reach this country until last night. Requisitions were, however, made upon the governors of this and of Colorado Territory for such volunteers as were required to replace the troops to be withdrawn.

As the southern part of the Territory was in a very disturbed condition in consequence of Indian hostilities and the revolutionary efforts of a few individuals, it was considered necessary to establish a strong force (one mounted and seven infantry companies) at Fort Gillmore to protect the interests of the United States in that quarters and cover the withdrawal of the troops from the interior of Arizona.

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*Not found.

#See Vol. III of this series, p. 406.

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