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

telegraphic rapidity, and the first result was a revolt in one of the companies of volunteers (militia) at Fort Union, and in two companies of the Second Regiment Volunteers at Camp Connelly, posts 200 miles distant, but occurring within very short periods of each others, and from the same alleged cause-the failing to pay and clothe them as they had been promised.

The first of these was suppressed by the prompt and energetic action and the excitement allayed by the prudent and judicious conduct of Colonel Paul. The second was not so easily managed, and about 30 of the mutineers made their escape and fled to the mountains. Measures were immediately taken to purse and apprehend this party, and I do not think they can escape.

Very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,

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

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NEW MEXICO, Belen, N. Mex., January 21, 1862.

His Excellency H. CONNELLY, Governor of new Mexico, Santa Fe, N. Mex.:

SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 12th instant* in relation to the protection of the inhabitants of the Territory against Indian depredations.

In answering this communication it is proper to state the actual circumstances of the country as regards the threatened invasion, the Indian depredations, and our means of resisting the first and anticipating the latter.

It is known from authentic sources that three regiments were organized at and have marched from San Antonio, Tex., for the invasion of this country, and it is understood that a fourth regiment, having the same destination, was organized at Austion. Two of these regiments (Reily's and Steele's) have reached Arizona. The other two (Green's and the regiment from Austin) are not yet accounted for, and are said to be coming by the way of the Pecos. This may be considered doubtful, but the adjutant-general of Texas in his official report states the force in Arizona and New Mexico at 4,000 men, and it is safe to assume that it approximates to that number.

The Indians are numerous, but less formidable from their numbers than from their subdivisions into small parties and the impracticable character of their country.

The plan and scope of the Texan operations admits of the concentration of their entire force in one body, and permits them to assail the Territory with the great bulk of their force at any one of several points. Our own circumstances are widely different. We have an extensive country to defend and long lines of communication to protect, and it is barely possible to keep in hand a force that you will not be inferior to that which the enemy is able to send into the country. It would be exceedingly unwise, in my judgment, so to disseminate our forces that they could not be concentrated in season to meet invasion at any point that may be attempted.

I appreciate fully the situation of the inhabitants of the country, and will do whatever I can to relieve them from the depredations from which they are now suffering. As soon as advised of the force that you can

---------------

*Not found.

---------------