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

ferior in quality. For the two other regiments it is supposed to be in trains that are now near Fort Union.

The supplies in the quartermaster's department are in good condition and, if those that are now on the road are received, will be sufficient to meet the wants of the service until new supplies can be sent out in the spring. It will be necessary, however, to receive a portion of these supplies earlier than usual, and estimates for them will be prepared and forwarded in season. There have been unavoidable deficiencies in the means of transportation and in camp and garrison equipage, but the first of them has been removed by the purchase of animals that have just reached the Territory, and the other will be by the arrival of trains that are expected daily. The supplies in the subsistence department are in good condition, and sufficient to last the force now in the department, and contemplated by the instructions of the instructions of the Secretary of War, until June 30, 1862. Should any deficiencies be anticipated, they will be provided for by seasonable estimates. The inclosed statement (E)* shows the quantity in rations on hand at the posts and depots in the department on the 15th of last month. Contracts have been made for corresponding quantities of the articles that are produced in this country. The supplies of ordnance stores are very deficient. The annual supply for this department was stopped at Fort Leavenworth. This fact was not known here until August 24, and on the 22nd ultimo, in reply to a renewed application, information was received that it was impossible to send at present the ordnance stores called for. The deficiency of ammunition is being supplied, as far as practicable, from the materials that can be procured in this country. The inclosed statement (F)* will exhibit the number of arms and the quantity of ammunition in depot.

The Confederate force in the Mesilla Valley is about 800 men of their regular troops and from 200 to 400 men organized from the floating population of the Mesilla. These troops are well armed and cavalry well mounted, but they are indifferently clothed and subsisted. They have fifteen pieces of artillery, of which two are said to be heavy-probably 18-pounders-four mountain howitzers, and the remainder field pieces, 6-pounder guns, and 12-pounder howitzers. They have fallen back from their advanced position at Robledo, and are now at or near Mesilla. The resources of the country for supplying an army are limited almost exclusively to articles of forage and subsistence. Of the first, the supply in ordinary seasons may be equal to the support of 5,000 animals, in addition to those of the country.

The horses and mules of the Territory are generally too light for cavalry or draught, and those purchased here for the use of the Army are generally brought from the East. Of subsistence, the articles that can be procured here are beef, flour, beans, and an inferior quality of salt. The cost of the first will be greater than if the cattle are purchased in the Western States and driven out. The quantity of flour that can be procured will not exceed three or three and a half millions of pounds in ordinary seasons. All the beans and salt that may be needed can be procured.

Very great embarrassments have frequently been experienced in this department from the want of coin to meet the necessities of disbursing officers, and to obviate this difficulty I have heretofore suggested that arrangements be made to send it out at frequent intervals and in small amounts by the express companies, instead of, as heretofore, but once

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*Not found.

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