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Show NEW MEXICO DURING THE CIVIL WAR 365 surrendered in this despicable manner were, officers and men, 410. Colonel Baylor, in his official report, gave as his reasons for releasing them on parole that he could not ‘‘with less than 300 men, guard master’s receipts for York for collection, I thereof.’’ William McGrorty, appointed collector of dent Cleveland. Report of Major I. that amount. The will duly account was an internal Lynde, ‘‘Fort Craig, N. Mex. August drafts on Saint Louis, for when informed of left in New the payment older brother of Col. J. P. MeGrorty, in 1885 revenue for Arizona and New Mexico by PresiWar of the Rebellion, 7, 1861. Sir: series I, vol. iv, pp. On the 26th of July 5-6: I had the honor to report the fact of an unsuccessful attempt to dislodge the Texan troops from the town of Mesilla, since which events of the greatest consequence to my command have occurred. They are now prisoners of war. On that day I had reliable information that the enemy would in the course of the night receive a battery of artillery, and if I moved to intercept it with a sufficient force for the purpose they were ready to attack the fort in my absence, and, as I have previously reported, the fort is indefensi ble against artillery, being perfectly commanded by sand-hills for at least half the circle, and the only supply of water at the distance of one and a half miles. Other officers, with myself, became convinced that we must eventually be compelled to surrender if we remained in the fort, and that our only hope of saving the command from capture was in reaching some other military post. fore ordered the fort to be evacuated, and such public property as could I therenot be transported with the limited means at the post to be destroyed as far as time would allow, and at 1 o’clock A. M. on the 27th of July I took up the line of march for Fort Stanton, which was believed to be the most practicab le point to reach, and was reported to be threatened by the enemy. I had no personal knowledge of the road, but it was reported to me that the first day’s march would be 20 miles to San Agustin Springs, where there would be abundance of water for all the command. Until daylight the command advanced without difficulty, but when the sun arose the day became intensely hot, and soon after the men and teams began to show signs of fatigue, and I found that the distance was greater than had been represented. About 6 miles before reaching the Springs commences a short ascent to a pass in the Organ Mountains, and here the men and teams suffered severely with the intense heat and want of water, many men falling and unable to proceed. Up to this time there was no indication of pursuit. I now determined to push forward with the mounted force to the Springs, and return with water for the suffering men in the rear. hen I had nearly reached the Springs word was brought me that a mounted force was approaching in our rear; but it was believed to be Captain Gibbs, his command, and soon after that supposition was confirmed by another express. On reaching the Springs I found the supply of water so 0 as to be insufficient for my command. R. M. R., with be After procuring all the water that coulc ‘transported by the men with me I started back to the main body. After riding Some distance I became so much exhausted that I could not sit upon my horse, and the command proceeded without me, under the command of Lieu- tenant Cressey, R. M. R., and I returned to the Springs. Teported to me that a part Hac the intense heat. Soon after it was of the teams had given out and could not be brought “P; and that large numbers of the infantry had become totally overpowered At this time an express from Captain Gibbs reported that eight companies of mounted men, supported by artillery, and a large force of infantry, were approaching our rear guard. I had the ‘Call to arms Sounded, and found that I could not bring more than 100 men of the infantry |