The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Series 1, Volume 4. Page: 10
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10
OPERATIONS IN TEX., N. MEX., AND ARIZ.
Company 1, 35 men, mounted. On the night of the 23d reached Point
of Rocks, 80 miles, without water. On the morning of the 26th mnet
Captain Lane, Mounted Rifles, from Fort Fillmore, with a train of fif-
teen wagons, commissary stores, who asked me to stay by him that
day, as [he was] afraid of being attacked by the Confederate forces.
He advised me not to go to Fort Fillmore, as I was certain to be cut off
by their troops. Staid by him all that day. Started at sunset, and
turned off the road to the left to avoid the rebels. Made for San Au-
gustine Springs, 45 miles, without water, intending to come in behind
Fort Fillmore, and thus avoid the enemy and carry out my instructions.
- At noon on the 27th, when within 5 miles of the Springs, met Major
Lynde's command, which had- abandoned Fort Fillmore the night be-
fore. Rode forward and reported to Major Lynde's adjutant, Lieutenant
Brooks, who told me that Major Lynde was encamped 5 miles in ad-
vance, at the Springs. Rode forward with the adjutant, and sent on an
express that a party of the enemy were approaching from the rear.
Came up to Major Lynde a quarter of a mile this side of the Springs with
Lieutenant Cressey, returning to the rear with 40 men of the Mounted
Rifles. Reported to Major Lynde and asked for orders. He told me that
there were two companies of the Seventh Infantry in rear guard, and
that they, with the Rifles, would protect the rear. Filled my canteen at
the Springs; rejoined Major Lynde about 2 miles from it, returning to the
front without his escort, which had gone to the rear. He told me to
protect the rear with the infantry rear guard and the mounted force as
long as I saw fit, and then to return to the camp at the Springs. Re-
joined the mounted force, then consisting of 70 men, and formed at the
foot of the hill in front of the enemy. I found that the infantry rear
guard was completely broken down by their long march and want of
water; that I had nothing but the mounted force to rely upon. Four of
Major Lynde's baggage wagons, filled with stores, and women and chil-
dren, completely blocked up the road.
I requested Lieutenant Brooks to try to get a couple of the 12-pounder
mountain howitzers that were fastened behind these wagons, and gave
him men from my command for that purpose. It was found that the
ammunition for these pieces was not in the wagons to which the pieces
were fastened, and the effort failed. Finding that my force of 70 men,
armed with rifles and pistols only, was opposed to the enemy's force of
300 men, similarly armed, with the addition of sabers, [which] was rap-
idly approaching, and the ground was favorable only for a single charge,
I sent another messenger to Major Lynde, telling him of the enemy's near
approach and their strength. In order to gain time, I kept deploying
into line, and by rapid formations gaining ground by our superior drill,
to allow the main force in camp in front to form before I reached them.
I then rode rapidly to the front, and reported to Major Lynde with my
command that the enemy were about 2 miles in the rear and rapidly ad-
vancing. I asked him where I should take up my position. He told me
that I might water my command and horses. Time, 20 hours without
water. The4Springs being made, while I was doing so Major Lynde sent me
an order not to move. While watering, Major Lynde sent me word that
I could leave for Fort Stanton if I chose. Before I could mount I re-
ceived another order not to move from camp. I went towards him, dis-
tance about 100 yards, and saw him in conversation with two mounted
officers, whom I did not know. The enemy at that time were in line of
battle about a quarter of a mile to the rear. I heard Major Lynde say,
" I agree to these terms," and I called to some of the officers to come
up. When we came up , all the officers being present, 1 think, Major[CHA. X1
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The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Additions and Corrections to Series 1, Volume 4. (Pamphlet)
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/m1/23/: accessed May 31, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.