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

to fall back, as my force is too weak to meet the enemy. I am forwarding my supplies to Quitman, and will send them, if necessary, to Davis. I would respectfully urge that re-enforcements be sent at once, as the supplies of this valley are of the enemy if they are allowed to remain. There is now a fine supply of corn in the valley -enough to furnish two or three regiments. I have on hand no corn and but little hay. I would not accumulate supplies for fear of an invasion. I can save most of my commissary and hospital supplies. I have ordered corn thrown into Davis in large quantities, for your use as well as mine, should I be forced there.

I get my intelligence from Santa Fe by three gentlemen well known as men of veracity. Messrs. Phillips and Battle are two of them. Battle says the officers told him that General Sumner was coming across from Guaymas, and was expected to meet Colonel Canby at Mesilla. I have spies now on the road to ascertain if this is so, and will know soon.

The Mexican population are decidedly Northern in sentiment, and will avail themselves of the first opportunity to rob us or join the enemy. Nothing but a strong force will keep them quiet. I would again urge that re-enforcements cannot be too soon sent up.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN R. BAYLOR, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Second Reg't T.M.R.

EL PASO, October 27,1861.

General H.H. SIBLEY, Commanding Sibley Brigade, &c.:

SIR: The mail has just arrived here from San Antonio, and I am advised by Captain Walker, in command of Fort Bliss, that he will cause it to return forthwith. Colonel Baylor's dispatches will no doubt advise you of the condition of affairs here at this time. We are looking for Colonel Baylor with his entire force at any moment. The merchants and most of the families of this part of the country have "pulled up stakes" and gone to the Mexican side. Colonel Canby's force is said to be 2,700 strong, and that he will approach us in three columns, one via the river, one via El Jornada, and another by Stanton-the latter intended to cut off Baylor's retreat. This seems to me rather a hazardous enterprise for a prudent man like Canby to embark in. You can imagine what an unsettled state the country hereabout is in. I for one shall stand my ground until the last moment, and will not cease to do all that can be done in the way of providing for your command, at least so long as I may have it in my power to remain. I have made arrangements with a responsible party to proceed at once and buy up a quantity of corn, beans, &c., in Mexico for your use. None of these supplies, as a matter of course, will be brought on this side of the river until such time as they would be safe from the enemy. The party who will make these purchases is not known as a contractor for the Confederate States, and will therefore run no risk in his purchases.

I regret not having received additional instructions per last mail. I shall engage all the arms and munitions possible to be had. I am sending an express to Sonora with a view, among other things, of watching the California route. It may be that there is some intelligence between Canby and Sumner, and that it is desirable to get Baylor out of the way to enable them to form a junction at Mesilla. This is, however, purely conjectural on my part.

In very great haste, your obedient servant,

J.F. CROSBY.