July 25-27,1861,- Skirmish at Mesilla

Reports of Lieut. Col. John R. Baylor, ( C.S. Army, of skirmish at Mesilla, and surrender of Union troops at San Augustine Springs, and subsequent operations.

PICACHO, MESILLA VALLEY,

Arizona, August 3, 1861.

SIR: I have the honor to report that I had an engagement with the U.S. forces, numbering over 500 cavalry and infantry with four pieces of artillery, at Mesilla, on the evening of the 25th of July, in which the enemy were repulsed with a loss of 3 killed and 7 wounded.

On the 27th, I captured at San Augustine Springs the entire command of the enemy under Major Lynde, consisting of eight companies of infantry, three of Mounted Rifles, with four pieces of artillery, together with all their transportation, arms, ammunition, commissary and quartermaster's stores, all of which, with Fort Fillmore, are now in my possession.

Too much praise cannot be given to the officers and soldiers under my command, and especiallly to Captain Hardeman and company, who were the only part of the command engaged with the enemy.

I have thought proper to release upon parole the entire command of officers and men, as I could not, with less than 300 men, guard over 600 and meet another force of 240 of the enemy that is looked for daily.

I have the honor to be, respectfully,

John R. Baylor,

Lieut. Col., Comdg. Second Regiment Mounted Rifles, C.S.A.

HEADQUARTERS,

Dona Ana, Ariz., September 21, 1861.

SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the engagement at Mesilla on the 25th of July, the capture of the United States forces the day after the next succeeding at San Augustine Springs, in the Organ Mountains, Territory of Arizona, and of my operations in the Territory up to the present time:

On assuming at Fort Bliss I ascertained that the United States forces were concentrating in force at Fort Fillmore, and the proximity of that post I supposed that that the object of the enemy was to attack the forces under my command at Fort Bliss. I was satisfied that if I permitted them to concentrate, my command was too weak to maintain my position. I therefore determined to attack the enemy in detail, and prevent, if possible, the contemplated concentration. For that purpose I sent a detachment, under Major Waller, to reconnoiter Fort Fillmore and see the position of the enemy pickets, also whether the fort could be approached without discovery. The report of Major Waller satisfied me that I could easily gain a position between the fort and the river (Rio Grande), and cut off the animals as they went to water, then the enemy would have to attack me in a strong position, thus rendering the protection afforded by the fort of no use. I accordingly took up the line of march in the night of the 23d of July with 258 men, and in the night of the 24th succeeded in taking a position on the river near Fort Fillmore. The surprise of the enemy would have been complete for the destruction of a private from Capt. T.T. Teel's company, who reported to Major Lynde our strength and position. The long roll was distinctly heard, which apprised us that our approach was known to the enemy.

On he morning of the 25th I determined to occupy Mesilla, and prevent, if possible, the enemy from getting a position there, as it was one that would be easily held, and would enable them to hold the country. I reached Mesilla in tha afternoon of the 25th, and was soon informed that the enemy were marching to attack us. I posted my men in position and awaited the arrival of the enemy. At about 5 o'clock I discovered their cavalry approaching the town by the main road, and soon after the infantry came up in sight, bringing with them three howitzers. They formed within 300 yards, and were, as near as I could tell, about 600 strong. A flag was sent in to demand the "unconditional and immediate surrender of the Texas forces," to which I answered that "we would fight first, and surrender afterward," the answer was followed by the enemy opening on us with their howitzers. After four or five rounds of bombs, grape, and cannister, the cavalry formed and marched up within 250 yards, preparatory to making a charge. Captain Hardeman's company, being in position nearest the enemy' was ordered to open on them with his front rank, to see if they were within range of our guns. The fire was well directed and proved effective, killing 4 of the enemy and woundind 7. The cavalry was thrown into confusion and retreated hastily, running over the infantry. In a few moments the enemy were marching back in the direction of their fort, but supposing it to be a feint, intended to draw me from my position, I did not pursue them, but kept my position until next morning, the 26th, expecting that they would attack us under cover of night.

The enemy not appearing, I sent my spies to reconnoiter, and discover, if possible, their movements. The spies reported the enemy at work at the fort making breastworks, and evidently preparing to defend themselves. Upon hearing this, I sent an express to Fort Bliss, ordering up the artillery to attack the fort on the arrival of my re-enforcements.

On the morning of the 27th, a little after daylight, my spies reported a column of dust seen in the direction of the Organ Mountains, distant 15 miles, on the Fort Stanton road. I could from the top of a house with a glass see the movements of the enemy. I immediately ordered the command to saddle and mount, for the purpose of intercepting them at San Augustine Pass. I had reached the river, distant 1 mile, when I received intelligence that a messenger had arrived from the fort, and stated that the enemy had fired the buildings, that it had been extinguished, and but little had been destroyed. I at once ordered Major Waller to take a detachment of men and go to the fort, and save, if possible, the property therein, and to leave enough men to guard the post, and then overtake me as soon as possible. On reaching the foot of the mountain, distant about 15 miles, I could see the rear of the enemy, composed chiefly of famished stragglers, endeavoring to make their way to water. I disarmed and collected a number of them, and finding most of them dying of thirst, we gave them water we had, and were compelled ourselves to go to a spring in the mountain for water. Lieutenant Baylor and Mr. Barnes, a citizen of Las Cruces, who acted as guide, found 24 of the enemy at the spring, who had from exhaustion gone to sleep, whom they captured.

After getting water for my men I started in pursuit of the enemy, who had passed through San Augustine Pass. I was delayed for some time here waiting for Major Waller, who, mistaking my orders, had carried with him the whole command, except Captain Hardeman's company, to Fort Fillmore. So soon as they joined me I started in pursuit, and found the enemy's cavalry drawn up to cover the retreat through the pass. These I charged with Captain Hardeman's company. They retreated in haste, leaving behind their wagons and artillery and all their supplies. Upon gaining the summit of the Pass, a plain view of the road to the San Augustine Springs was presented. The road for 5 miles was lined with the fainting, famished soldiers, who threw down their arms as we passed and begged for water. At the Springs the enemy had drawn up in line of battle some 200 or 300 strong. I ordered Major Waller to charge with Captain Hardeman's company until he reached the end of straggling soldiers, then to form and cut them off from the main body. I followed, disarming the enemy, and as fast as our jaded horses could go. On reaching Captain Hardeman's company, who were formed, I saw Major Waller and Captain Hardeman riding into the enemy's lines, I was in a few moments sent for by Major Lynde, who asked upon what terms I would allow him to surrender. I replied that the surrender must be unconditional. To this Major Lynde assented, asking that property should be respected. The articles of capitulation were signed, and the order given for the enemy to stack arms.

Major Lynde's command was composed of eight companies of infantry and four of cavalry, with four pieces of artillery, the whole numbering nearly 700 men. My own force at the surrender was less than 200. I regret to report that the regimental colors were burned by the enemy to avoid surrendering them.

I was delayed at the place of surrender for two days on account of the condition of the enemy and the want of transportation. As soon as possible I marched them to Las Cruces and there paroled them, as I was informed that Captain Moore was en route for Fort Fillmore, from Fort Buchanan, with 250 men. I could not guard the prisoners I had and meet the coming forces. Being desirous, too, to afflict the enemy in every way, I considered that it was much better for them to bear the expense of finding the prisoners than for me to do so.

After getting rid of the prisoners I immediately selected a strong position near the village of Picacho to await the arrival of Captain Moore's command. Here I was joined by Brig. Gen A.S. Johnston, with a party of officers of the U.S. Army, who had resigned and were en route for Richmond, Va., also a party of Californians, under Capt. Alonzo Ridley. I tendered to Brigadier-General Johnston the command of my forces, believing that the best interest of the service required that I should relinquish the command to an officer of his rank and distinguished ability, which he did me the honor to accept, and remained in command until there was no further necessity for his services. He sent Captain Coopwood's spy company to meet the enemy and send him word where they were, and to watch their movements and prevent any communications with them. The spies discovered them on the Miembres, and reported them moving carelessly, evidently not suspecting danger. On the night of the 6th of August an express reached Captain Moore from Fort Craig, telling him of the defeat of Major Lynde's command, and ordering him to burn up his transportation and supplies, and make his escape to that place. This was done. The jaded condition of our animals alone prevented us from capturing them.

The accompanying abstracts of quartermaster's subsistance, medical, and ordnance stores will show but a part of the property captured, much of it having been stolen and destroyed while I was awaiting the enemy at Picacho and some since I have left the command to Major Waller. A number of muster rolls are lost, the remainder only showing about half of the prisoners captured, also the correspondence with the commanding officer in reference to his regimental colors was lost. I regret the loss of these papers, but in the hurry and excitement it was unavoidable. I can only give the number of the enemy as it was reported to me by the officers captured.

On the 10th of August an express reached me from Fort Stanton, stating that the news of the capture of Major Lynde's command had created a stampede among the United States troops, who hastily abandoned the fort after having destroyed a considerable portion of their supplies and Government property of all kinds, and all would have been destroyed but for a storm of rain, which extinguished the fire intended by the enemy to destroy the fort. The few citizens living near the fort took possession of it, and saved a valuable lot of quartermaster's and commissary stores. The Mexicans and Indians in large numbers demanded the right to pillage the fort, which was granted. The citizens, being too weak to resist, not knowing that they would get aid from me or not, were forced to abandon the fort to the Mexicans and Indians. Captain Walker's company, on the receipt of the express from Fort Stanton, was ordered to that post, and he succeeded in recovering a portion of the property stolen. For particulars of his operations I refer you to his report. I sent a train to bring from Fort Stanton all the property and stores of value. The invoices will acquaint you with the property recovered from the post. I will mention, among other things, four pieces of artillery, two of which are uninjured and two so much injured as to be of no use.

Believing that the interest of Arizona demanded imperatively some form of government, I issued my proclamation, of date 1st of August, 1861, to the people, a copy of which I forward you.

I cannot conclude this report without alluding to the courage, fortitude, and patriotism of the officers and soldiers of my command and to those citizens who participated with us, all did nobly their part. I cannot make distinction between men so willing and ready to do their whole duty. To the courage of my officers and men the country is indebted for the success of our arms and the acquisition of a Territory valuable in many respects.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN R. BAYLOR,

Lieut. Col., Comdg, C.S. Forces in Arizona.

Capt. T.A. WASHINGTON,

Asst. Adjt. Gen., C.S. Army, San Antonio, Tex.