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

The lieutenant-colonel commanding does not wish to trammel you by specific instructions, but trusts entirely to your judgement and discretion for the adoption of such measures as will best secure the interests of the United States and maintain the honor of its flag.

I am directed also to put you on your guarded against nay attempts to tamper with the enlisted men of your command similar to that which is disclosed by the copy of a letter which I send herewith.

Please advise the department commander as soon as possible what effective force (volunteer) can be raised in the neighborhood of your post, and the amount of transportation that can be obtained there by purchase or by contract.

Very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,

A. L. ANDERSON, Second Lieutenant, Fifth Infantry, A. A. A. G.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NEW MEXICO, Santa Fe, N. Mex., June 16, 1861.

SIR: Information from private but reliable sources indicated the possibility of a demonstration by the people of Texas, aided perhaps by some disaffected individuals in Arizona, against the posts and property of the United States in that Territory, and Colonel Canby desires that you will at once concentrate such a force at Fort Fillmore as will enable you to resist an attack form any quarter.

To do this Fort McLane will at once be abandoned, and the troops and public property transferred to Fort Fillmore. The transportation at both posts and any that can be hired in the neighborhood of either will be employed for this purpose. When the concentration is effected it is believed that you will have under your command a effected it is believed that you will have under your command a sufficient forces o prevent or defeat any attempt of this character. If satisfied of your ability to do this, the transfer of the companies of the satisfied of your ability to do this, the transfer of the companies of the First Dragoons to Fort Buchanan will proceed as indicated in Special Orders, Numbers 85, of the 14th instant, the four companies constituting the garrison of Fort Buchanan until further orders; but if these posts should be threatened by a force which in your judgment cannot be resisted, you will take such measures for abandoning them as will best subserve the interests of the Government, transferring the troops and property to other posts in this in the Department of California (Fort Yuma), as may be determined by circumstances. It is of course important that