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

enough to give you timely notice of any approach from that quarter. These parties should be out continually, and so arranged as to leave no interruption of watchfulness. Whenever, you will call upon Major Paul for any additional mounted force that you may need in addition to that belonging to your own command. Require Major Baca to make constant reports at least tri-weekly, using some of his mounted men for that purpose.

Very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,

WM. J. L. NICODEMUS, First Lieutenant, Eleventh Infantry, Act. Asst. Adjt. General

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, COLORADO TERRITORY, Denver, October 26, 1861 Colonel E. R. S. CANBY, Commanding Department of New Mexico:

COLONEL: Accept my thanks for dispatches by express messenger (from Fort Garland), bearing date of the 7th and 11th instant.

I am greatly in your debt for a supply of blanks and books; an attention especially apropos at a point so utterly destitute of such essentials to public business. I will respond promptly to the request of Governor Connelly and yourself for medical men who can be found here.

I have further received notice from Captain Elmer Otis, Fort Wise, of the arrival there of arms for four companies of volunteers. The strong and malignant element within this Territory, added to the destitution of arms and ammunition of any kind up to this time, has rendered absolutely necessary the delay to furnish a garrison for Fort Wise. The population of the Arkansas River is not numerous enough to furnish one company, and to send them from the mining region has been impossible, from want of arms, ammunition, food, clothing, transportation, or money to procure any of these essentials. I am incessantly occupied to comply with your requisitions at the earliest moment.

The malignant secession element of this Territory has numbered 7,500. It has been ably and secretly organized from November last, and requires extreme and extraordinary measures to meet and control its onslaught. The core of its strength has at present withdrawn to gather strength from Texas, Utah, Arkansas, and from the country of the Confederate Cherokee, Creek, and other Indians. They contemplate to return with overwhelming strength and precipitate the neighboring Indians upon us. To prepare for what may be accomplished by them is my duty. This country, everywhere open to the east, can only be defended by a sufficient force to meet the enemy in the field. It also enters into their plans to capture Forts Wise and Garland; to surround New Mexico and invade it from the north. The Indian populations west of Arkansas have united with the rebel war to the amount of 64,500, capable of furnishing an efficient army for operations upon these Territories, familiar with this country, and allied to the Georgians, who sympathize with secession, and form a large proportion of our mining population.

You will learn that a guerrilla party has been captured by Captain Otis near Fort Wise; the captain of this band, McKee, has been in jail for several weeks in this city.

Be well assured that I neglect no resource within my reach or attainable by energy to provide for the safety of this Territory, and produce a force capable of co-operating cordially in the operations in New Mexico, with which I am familiar.

Very respectfully, WILLIAM GILPIN.