OPERATIONS IN TEX., N. MEX., AND ARIZ. [CHAP. XI.
ment-is, in my judgment, the only policy that gives any assurance of success. It is recommended by considerations of humanity, economy, and experience. The same considerations, with equal pertinency, apply to all the surrounding tribes; but as the Navajoes, Apaches, and Utes are more immediately in contact with the settlements, the policy recommended should be applied to these Indians first. These measures are of such immediate and vital importance to the Territory and to the interests of the General Government in this country, that I have the honor to request that the major-general commanding will submit it, at his earliest convenience, to the consideration of the General-in-Chief and Secretary of War.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
ED. R. S. CANBY, Colonel Nineteenth Infantry, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NEW MEXICO, Santa Fe, N. Mex., December 8, 1861.
ADJUTANT-GENERAL, Headquarters Army, Washington, D. C.:
SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your instructions of November 9, and to report as follows: First. The number of regular troops is shown by the inclosed abstract A;* the number of volunteers that have already been received by the abstract B;* the number and position of all the troops in the department by the field return C.*
Second. The regular troops are in excellent condition. They are well instructed and disciplined, zealous and loyal, and, except the want of officers and recruits to fill the companies, there are no defects of condition. The volunteer troops are improving slowly in discipline and instruction. They are not efficient, and, in my judgment, cannot be made so in any reasonable period. They are deficient in self-reliance and military spirit, and their ignorance of the English language and want of capacity for instruction are serious obstacles to a rapid improvement. For Indian or partisan warfare, and in conjunction with regular troops or volunteers of American origin, they will make valuable auxiliaries, and their services in these respects are already of considerable importance.
Third. The regular troops have the most improved arms-the infantry the Springfield rifled musket, .58 caliber, and the cavalry the Harper's Ferry rifle, Colt's pistol (Navy), Sharp's and Maynard's carbines, and a few of Colt's revolving rifles for experiment. The exact number of arms in the hands of the troops cannot be stated until the ordnance returns are received, but it is slightly in excess of the number of the troops. The volunteers have arms of older models-the rifled musket, .69 caliber; Harper's Ferry rifle, calibers .54 and .58; the cavalry musketoon, the carbine pistol, and a few companies the smooth-bore musket .69 caliber. These arms are all in serviceable condition, but the troops are imperfectly equipped, as there is a great deficiency of all classes of accouterments. The clothing of the regular troops is good, and there is a sufficient quantity for all their probable wants until the right period of receiving supplies. Clothing for two of the volunteer regiments has been received and distributed. It is reported to be in-
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*Not found.
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