OPERATIONS IN TEX., N. MEX., AND ARIZ. [CHAP. XI.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NEW MEXICO, Santa Fe, N. Mex., October 11, 1861.
His Excellency WILLIAM GILPIN, Governor of Colorado Territory, Denver City, Colo.:
SIR: I have just received a communication from the commanding officer at Fort Wise, in which it is stated that he has been advised by you that "there is no volunteer force available to relieve your (his) command or enable it to retire from Fort Wise." The inability of your excellency to supply this force is a very great disappointment, as the regular troops at that post and at Fort Garland were relied upon as a part of the force intended for active operations at the South. I am sorry that this determination was not communicated at an earlier period, in order that I might (more seasonably than I now can) have made arrangements to replace the troops at Fort Wise from some other quarter.
Very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,
ED. R. S. CANBY, Colonel Nineteenth Infantry, Commanding Department.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NEW MEXICO, Santa Fe, N. Mex., October 13, 1861.
Captain E. OTIS, Fourth Cavalry, Commanding Fort Wise, Colo.:
SIR: Your report of the 4th instant, communicating the decision of Governor Gilpin, of Colorado Territory, not to furnish volunteer troops for Fort Wise, has been received. You are authorized to raise four companies (two of infantry and two of cavalry) from Colorado Territory, to be mustered into the service of the United States for three years. This force is designed for service at Fort Wise, on the route from the Missouri frontier, or in New Mexico, as the exigencies of the service may require. You will please make requisitions upon the Adjutant-General of the Army for the funds necessary to defray the expenses of collecting and organizing these volunteers. If funds are needed immediately, a special estimate will be made upon this office. The names of the persons that may be authorized to raise these companies will be reported to this office. Such blanks as can be furnished will be sent you by this or by the succeeding mail. A large amount of public and private property is now on the road to this country, and you are desired to keep yourself advised of the movements of the trains, and to take such measures for their protection as may be necessary.
Very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,
ED. R. S. CANBY, Colonel Nineteenth Infantry, Commanding Dept.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NEW MEXICO, Santa Fe, N. Mex., October 22, 1861.
Lieutenant Colonel WILLIAM CHAPMAN, Commanding Fort Union, N. Mex.:
SIR: As the force in this part of the department has been untimely reduced, the colonel commanding desires that the utmost vigilance be observed in watching the country east of Fort Union, and particularly the approaches by the Canadian and Red Rivers, pushing your patrols and scouts from Fort Union and Hatch's ranch in all directions far
