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

IN CAMP NEAR CARISAL, CHIHUAHUA, January 20, 1862

General H.H. SIBLEY, C.S.A., Commanding Army of New Mexico, Fort Thorn:

GENERAL: I have the honor to report that I left Fort Bliss at 11 a.m. on the 8th of January, and in accordance with your orders of 31st ultimo, proceeded to the city of Chihuahua, Mexico, arriving there at 2 p.m. on the 8th instant. At 3 p.m. I dispatched the note referred to as Numbers 1 in brief report of this same date, and a copy of which note is now made:

RIDDELL'S HOTEL, Chihuahua, January 8, 1862.

To His Excellency DON LUIS TERRAZAS, Governor of the State of Chihuahua, Republic of Mexico:

SIR: The undesigned has the honor to inform your excellency that he bears to you a communication from General H. H. Sibley, C.S.A. and commanding the Army of New Mexico, touching matters of of importance to the Governments of the Confederate States of America and to the Republic of Mexico, and especially to that military department he now commands, and to this State.

The undersigned trusts it will suit your excellency to designate an hour when he can have the honor to present to you in person his letter of credence from General Sibley and the communication with he is intrusted.

I have the honor to be, with sentiments of highest consideration and respect, most truly, yours,

JAMES REILY, Colonel, A.C.S.A.,

Early the next morning I received from the governor a reply (being document Numbers 2) in which his excellency designated 12 m. of that day for an interview at the governor's palace. A few moments before the hour of 12 m. I was called upon by Don Carlos Moyo, brother-in-law to the governor, who accompanied me to the palace, and by whom I was introduced to the governor. After a brief speech, intercepted by Don Carlos Moyo, and as brief a one from the governor also translated to me, I presented to the governor your letter of credence. I was then formally introduced to the secretary of state and other high officials.

My reception by the governor and all others present was most gracious and cordial. I beg leave here to state that I had myself announced to the governor as colonel of the Confederate States Army, and was dressed as such, being in the uniform of a cavalry officer C.S.Army, and wearing my sword.

His excellency remarked that, as the communication was in English, a language he neither spoke nor read, he must request to have it translated so that he might be able to give it due and intelligible consideration. I then informed him, if he pleased, I would call at 12 m. the next day.

At the request of the governor I resumed my seat, when many inquiries were made about the war between the South and North, about yourself, and the number and character of your troops, to all of which I trust I gave satisfactory answers.

Upon taking leave of the governor I was escorted back to the hotel by Don Carlos Moyo. He remained with me some time, and I found him quite a fried of the South. To him I am indebted for much civility and many kindnesses.

The next day, at 12, Don Carlos again called for me, and, arriving at the palace found no one with the governor but the secretary of state and one of the judges of the supreme court. In a short time we were joined by Don Joaquin Durand, whose acquaintance I had previously made, and although a Mexican, yet writing and speaking the English language with great fluency, having been educated in England. He came there at my request, and I was glad to avail myself of his intelli-