to this place is good for loaded teams, excepting four or five miles to the pass. Course, northeast; forty-six miles.

Soon after leaving Densmore's Station found two men on the side of the road under rather suspicuous circumstances; took three letters from them, one directed to the commander of Federal forces at Tucson or en route; put the men in charge of guard and brought them back. (Letters herewith inclosed, marked Nos. 1, 2, and 3. *) There discovered nine men encamped, who proved to be a party sent by Colonel Chivington, commanding Southern Military District of New Mexico, at Fort Craig, with a letter to Colonel Carleton, with verbal orders to deliver it to the commander of the advance of his column when bmet with, and return to Fort Craig. Read the communication, and returned Mr. Milligan and one of his party with the answer to Fort Craig at 3 p. m. on the 30th instant, at which place he would arrived on the evening of the 2nd proximo. Letter of Colonel Chivington and my answer thereto herewith inclosed. * From Mr. milligan I learned of the capture of Jones, the expressman, by the secessioninsts at the Picacho, near Mesilla, his two companions having been killed by Indians at Apache Pass and himself chased by them for a great many mles. This information was brought to Fort Craig by a friendly Mexica, who was present at the capture of Jones. June 30, laid over.

July1. This morning a number of men were discovered by the lookout approaching from the direction of the Pino Alto gold mines; sent out a party and brought them into camp. They proved to be a party of thirty Mexica miners, returning to Sonora in consequence of the almost total absence of provisions at the mines; allowed them to proceed on their journey. Left Cow Springs at 8 a. m. ; arrived at the Rio Miembres at 1 p. m. and encamped two miles above station; water and grazing abundant and of the best quality; road good. Course, northeast; sixteen miles. July 2, laid over. At 1 o'clock this morning one of the pickets discovered persons approaching camp. They were arrested and brought in - twelve men and two women, one a German, the others Mexicans. They also were from the mines en route for Mesiall. Ordered them confined, in order to secure the secrecy of my movements. At 9 a. m. sent out party of twenty men to examine Cooke's Canon, with orders to arrest, if possible, all persons they may meet with, and remain at Cooke's Spring until the command came up. July 3, left Miembres River at 6. 30 a. m. ; marched twelve miles over a good road to Cooke's Pass. From here to summit road hilly. A long, rocky, but not very steep, hill brings you to the to of the pass; from there the descent to the spring is good; distance from pass to spring six miles. Course, north-northeast and northeast; eighteen miles. Therecame up with the party sent in advance yesterday; they reported no person in sight and no fresh traces. July 4, left Cooke's Spring at 6. 30 a. m. ; took Fort Thorn road, which keeps a north-northeast course, while the Mesilla road turns to the right immediately at the spings and bears east-northeast, passing the Overland Mail Station, which is seen on the hill about half a mile distance. Marched thirteen miles to Mule Spring; good road. Here no water could be found even by digging, having sent a party in advance with spades for that purpose. Left Mule Spring at 12 m. ; marched twenty-two miles to the Rio Grande, and encamped at 7 p. m. near Fort Thirn. Course, north-northeast and northeast; thirty-five miles. The road for about eight miles after leaving Mule Spring is very good, when it enters a rolling country, the hills becoming more and more abrupt for a distance of about six miles, when

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* Not found.

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