The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Series 1, Volume 4. Page: 8
vi, vi, 792 p. ; 24 cm.View a full description of this book.
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OPERATIONS IN TEX., N. MEX., AND ARIZ.
for several hours. On arriving at the mouth of the canon I assumed
command of the cavalry force, consisting of Companies F, B, and I, and
a part of G, Mounted Rifles-70 men strong. The Texans, under Colo-
nel Baylor and Major Waller, and about 320 strong (all cavalry), with
some dismounted men, and what seemed to be a couple of pieces of artil-
lery, at this time debouched from behind the point of the hill below me
to the left, and captured the beef cattle and my two wagons. I deployed
50 men as skirmishers, with 20 men as a reserve; but finding that I was
entirely outflanked, I formed column of sections and prepared to charge
with drawn pistols.
Before doing this I sent back word to Major Lynde, by an intelligent
man, the exact state of affairs. He brought back word to protect the
wagons, if possible, and then to fall back on the main camp. As most
of the men had thrown away their muskets and gone to the front, I
retreated slowly and in good order, forming in line three times, and keep-
ing the Texans in check by causing them also to form line. On arriv-
ing at the crest of the Pass I galloped into camp and reported myself
to Major Lynde as ready for action, and asked where I should take posi-
tion. Part of the infantry companies were already formed and men
were rapidly falling into ranks. Major Lynde told me to dismount and
water my men and horses. As we had been twenty-four hours without
water I did so, and was ready in fifteen minutes for duty.
The Texans then began to form on the plateau a quarter of a mile in
our rear, and I saw Lieutenant Brooks ride out towards them. Major
Lynde at this time sent me word that I could leave for Fort Stanton,
but before I could get a sack of flour and a side of bacon as rations fobr
my men Colonel Baylor had arrived, the surrender had been agreed
upon by Major Lynde and himself without consulting a single officer,
and I was ordered by Major Lynde not to attempt to escape. Upon be-
ing informed of the surrender, every officer in the command protested
against it; but it was of no avail, and the command of seven companies
of the Seventh U. S. Infantry and three companies of Rifles were vol-
untarily surrendered without striking a blow. After great suffering for
want of water we were marched to Las Cruces, when our horses, arms,
transportation, &c., were turned over to the Texans.
We left Las Cruces on the 2d instant and arrived here this morning.
The Seventh Infantry were to leave on the 3d, and will probably be
here to-morrow. I respectfully state that charges against Major Lynde,
under the fifty-second and ninety-ninth Articles of War, have been
preferred, and are now in the hands of Captain Potter, commanding
Seventh Regiment.
I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
ALFRED GIBBS,
Captain, U. S. Rifles, Comdg. Squadron.
Col. E. R. S. CANBY,
Nineteenth U. S. Infantry, Comdg. Dep't New Mexico,
Through Capt. R. M. Morris, Comdg. Fort Graig, N. Mex.
FORT UNION, N. MEX., August 29, 1861.
SIR: I have the honor to report my arrival at this post on yesterday
with three paroled officers and the detachment of Mounted Rifles in-
cluded in the surrender of the 27th ultimo. I have the honor to ac-
knowledge the receipt of your communications of the 23d, 24th, and8
[C(HAP. XI.
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Errata sheets for the Records of the War of the Rebellion include additions and corrections to the text and the index for Series 1, Volume 4.
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United States. War Department. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Series 1, Volume 4., book, 1893; Washington D.C.. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth154607/m1/21/: accessed June 3, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.