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

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NEW MEXICO, Santa Fe, N. Mex., October 27, 1861.

ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL, Headquarters Western Department, Saint Louis, Mo.:

SIR: I have the honor to report that there has been no material change in the state of affairs in this department since my report of the 20th instant. Twelve companies of regulars (six of infantry and six of cavalry) and eleven of volunteers (seven of infantry and four of cavalry) are now concentrated at Fort Craig. With some difficulty, and by uniting two cavalry companies, a harnessed battery of four pieces (two 6-pounder guns and two 12-pounder field howitzers) has been organized, and will march for Fort Craig on the 30th instant. These preparations have been greatly delayed and embarrassed by the want of supplies and the difficulty of procuring such as could be found in the country from the want of funds. The trains en route for this country are again threatened by marauding parties from Colorado Territory, and the presence of an experienced officer at Fort Colorado so important in this connection, that I have instructed Captain Otis to remain at that post with the cavalry portion of his command until affairs in that quarter are in a more settled condition. No volunteers have yet been furnished from Colorado Territory for either Forts Garland or Wise, and very little progress is now being made in organizing volunteers in this Territory.

Very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,

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

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NEW MEXICO, Santa Fe, N. Mex., October 27, 1861.

Captain E. OTIS, Fourth Cavalry, Commanding Fort Wise, Colo.:

SIR: Your communication of the 17th instant has been received, and I am instructed by the colonel commanding to say that your action in suspending the removal of Company C, Tenth Infantry, is approved. Upon the arrival of a sufficient volunteer force to render your position perfectly secure, he desires that this company may then be sent to Fort Union. It is not his intention to give any orders in relation to your command, except such as may be necessary and incident to its position in keeping open the communication with the Missouri frontier or in carrying out the instructing of the commander of the Western Department, but will give any orders or assume any responsibility in relation to your post that you may consider necessary. Fort Wise is so important (both as regards our Indian relations and our communications with the East) that it would be unwise to hazard these interests by withdrawing you from that post, and it is his intention that your own, and probably both the cavalry companies, shall remain (even if a volunteer force is furnished by Governor Gilpin) until affairs in that quarters are in a settled condition.

Very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,

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