1861 - 1862

OFFICIAL RECORDED CONFEDERATE

CORRESPONDENCE for the NEW MEXICO

CAMPAIGN

_____________________________________________________________

HART's MILL, EL PASO, Tex., June 12,1861.

Col. W.W. Loring:

My Dear Loring: We are at last under the glorious banner of the Confederate States of America. It was indeed a glorious sensation of protection, hope, and pride. Though its folds were modest and unptretending, the emblem was still there. The very Southern verdue and familiar foliage, as we progressed on ur journey, filled us with enthusiasm and home feeling.

We shall have no trouble from here down to San Antonio. The stage runs regularly semi-weekly, carrying five passengers and a reasonable amount of baggage, reaching San Antonio in six days; thense to Berwick Bay in stages, and to New Orleans by rail.

Van Dorn is in command at San Antonio. He has ordered four companies of Texas Troops to garrison this post. They cannot be expected to reach here, however, before the 1st proximo. Meanwhile, Colonel Magoffin, Judge Hart, and Crosby are very much exercised and concerned on account of the public stores here in their present time ungarded condition.

There are full supplies of subsistance and ammunition here for two or more companies for twelve months. The loss of these supplies by capture or destruction would occasion serious embarrassment to the cause. The gentlemen I have named have applied to me for advice in the premises. I have promised to hasten on from below by forced marches to cavalry force en route here. Meanwhile you may, by delaying your own departure a week or two, add much to the security of this property.

I regret now more than ever the sickly sentimentality (I can call it by no other name) by which I was overruled in my desire to bring my whole command with me. I am satisfied now of the disaffection of the best of the rank and file in New Mexico, and that we are regarded as having betrayed and deserted them. I wish I had my part to play over again; no such peace scruples should deter me from doing what I considered a bounden duty to my friends an my cause. I do not advocate the meeting of duplicity and dishonesty by the like weapons, but if I capture the treasury buildings I shall certainly not send back to my enemy the golden bricks.

Should you be relieved from command too soon to present an attempt on the part of your successor to recapture, by a coup de main, the property here, send a notice by extraordinary express to Judge Hart. Your seat in the stage may at the same time be engaged.

Movements are in contemplation from this direction which I am not at liberty to disclose. You arrive here in time for everything and to here everything. Rhett, I fear, has shamefully betrayed his money trust. My love to those who love me.

Faithfully, yours,

H.H. Sibley

Adjutant and Inspector General's Office,

Richmond, July 8, 1861.

Brig. Gen. H.H. Sibley, Richmond, Va.:

Sir: In view of your recent service in New Mexico and knowledge of that country and the people, The President has intrusted you with the important duty of driving the Federal troops from that department, at the same time securing all the arms, supplies, and materials of war. You are authorized to take into the Confederate States service all disaffected officers and soldiers on the original commissions of the former and enlistments of the latter.

You will proceed without delay to Texas, and in concert with Brigadier-General Van Dorn organize, in the speediest manner possible, from the Texas troops, two full regiments of cavalry and one battery of howitzers, and such other forces as you may deem necessary. If successful in accomplishing the object herein indicated, the President directs that you will, in the exercise of a sound discretion, proceed to organize a military government within the Territory, the detail of which you will submit to him at the earliest possible moment. The instructions being of a general nature, it is not deemed necessary to confine you to matters of detail which may from time to time arise. In this respect you will be guided by circumstances and your own good judgement.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

S. COOPER,

Adjutant and Inspector General.

FORT BLISS, TEX., September 24, 1861.

SIR: I have the honor to report that Mr. Barnes, the agent sent by me to transport prisoners to New Mexico, has returned, and brings what I consider reliable information.

The order for moving the United States troops out of New Mexico has been countermanded, and the colonel commanding that department is raising two additional regiments of volunteers, two being already raised. Fort Union is abandoned, and the enemy have taken up a position 2 miles from the fort, which they are fortifying. They have twenty-five pieces of artillery of various sizes. There are at this time at Union seven companies of regulars and three of volunteers, at Santa Fe, four companies; Albuquerque, four, and at Craig, five.

Barnes conversed freely with Judge Beard and many other prominent Americans, all of whom (Governor Connelly excepted) are for the south. There is some division among the natives, who are resisting the levy of their men as soldiers.

I shall watch closely their movements, and act as circumstances may direct. I will again urge the necessity of forwarding with haste re-enforcements. The Indians are exceedingly troublesome, and the Sonora Mexicans are threatening to rob Tucson, and have robbed Tubac. As I have before stated, I cannot, with the limited force under my command, keep the enemy in check and afford any protection to the citizens. My opinion is that troops are on the way from California to this Territory; but I shall do all in my power to hold the country against all odds. I will make no move against the enemy until the arrival of General Sibley. New Mexico can now be easily taken.

I shall send a agent to treat with the Pima and other friendly Indians in Western Arizona, as I deem it important to secure their aid and good-will.

I have the honor to be, respectfully,

JOHN R. BAYLOR,

Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Texas Mounted Rifles.

RICHMOND, September 25, 1861.

General H.H. SIBLEY, San Antonio, Tex.:

GENERAL: The Secretary of War, in reply to yours upon the subject of additional regiments, authorizes your acceptance of the tender of all armed regiments made to you by the Governor of Texas.

I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,

R.H. CHILTON,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS,

Dona Ana, Ariz., October 14, 1861.

Col. H.E. McCulloch:

Sir: Please find enclosed a copy of a letter received at my headquarters to-day. It embraces a correct account of the present critical condition of the citizens and miners in that region of the Territory which includes the locality of the Pinos Altos and other important mines of Arizona. The most important and available to the Confederacy are under the sway of Indians. I am at present unable to render the necessary assistance, although I have ordered Maj. E. Waller to proceed thither and render what aid he would with a detachment of 100 men. He left for the Pinos Altos mines on the 10th instant.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

John R. Baylor,

Lieut. Col. Comdg. Second Reg't T.M.R., P.C.S. Army.

DONA ANA, October 24, 1861.

[Judge S. Hart:]

DEAR JUDGE: My spy returned yesterday, bringing me news that Colonel Canby was at Craig with 2,500 men, and would move against me by the 1st of November. Last night an express from Santa Fe arrived, bringing me the same news, and confirming all the particulars stated by my spy.

I want you to get all the transportation possible to move the stores at Fort Bliss to Quitman or Davis, as I shall direct. I shall send all from here, and make arrangements for an orderly retreat, as it is folly for me to attemp resistance against such odds, and, besides only amounts to the inconvenience of moving, for when General Sibley gets with me we will return and get pay. I send you an extra which was brought by express from Sata Fe. This is a damper on the enemy, for it was the very funds intended to pay off the very troops in New Mexico, who have had no pay for eighteen months/ There is great dissatisfaction up there for want of pay among the regulars and the force used to get the natives in the ranks. With three more companies I would fight them, but don't think it prudent now. Tom has deserted and gone to Kentucky. Don't be alarmed. I can get out of the way, and you must all look out and remove your effects across the river. Tell Crosby and Magoffin to be calm, and do not create a panic. All will turn out right. A little time is all we want. You will hear of some tall guerrilla work before long.

I have only to add that I leave to your good sense and judgement to do as you think best. Don't fail to send corn at once to Quitman and a large supply for Davis. This must be done at once. I will keep you advised of all movements.

Yours, in haste,

JOHN R. BAYLOR.

Dona Ana, October 24, 1861.

To the Commanding Officer C.S. Troops en route for Fort Bliss:

Sir: I am in receipt of reliable information that 2,500 of the enemy, with one battery of artillery are now on the road for this place, and I would urge that re-enforcements hurry up as fast as possible. I shall have to fall back on Quitman, and maybe Davis. I am sending my supplies ahead, and will keep the enemy in check, if possible; but send up men as soon as possible, for they will be needed. It is reported to me that General Sumner is on the way from Guaymas with 2,000 regular troops to meet forces from above at Mesilla. Hurry up if you want a fight.

John R. Baylor,

Lieutenant-Colonel, Comdg. Second Reg't Mounted Rifles.

Dona Ana, Ariz., October 25, 1861.

COMMANDER DEPARTMENT OF TEXAS:

SIR: I hasten to inform you that my spies have returned from New Mexico, bringing the intelligence that Colonel Canby, with 2,500 men and a battery of flying artillery, are en route to this place. I shall be compelled to fall back, as my force is too weak to meet them. I have petitioned time and again fir re-enforcements to prevent this disaster, to all of which a deaf ear has been turned. I have only to add that the abandonment of this country will necessarily be attended with a great sacrifice of property, and subject the friends of our cause to persecution and ruin. If it is the wish of the colonel commanding the department, that Arizona should be abandoned, and I presume it is, he can congratulate himself upon the consummation of the event.

The colonel commanding the department informs me in his last orders to me that in case of invasion I can make such disposition as I think proper of the troops on my line, & c. This is liberal, when it is remembered that the enemy are but little over 100 miles from me and my re-enforcements scattered for 500 miles.

It is unnecessary to ask for re-enforcements, as I presume they are n