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Show ine < 4 > aie A a irs sso as Simms —— iagsptnaninases = } ¥ NEW MEXICO DURING THE CIVIL WAR 361 and left New Mexico, was Major H. H. Sibley. At this time the territorial secretary, Alexander M. J ackson, resigned and went south with Loring and Sibley, the last named being later commissioned a brigadier-general and ordered to organize an expediti on for the invasion of New Mexico. Jackson became his adjutant-general. The brigade was organized during the summer of 186] and in November began its advance from San Antonio, Texas. The plans for this expedition were the boldest and most comprehensive of any of the treacherous schemes of the leaders of the rebellion . Sibley’s brigade consisted of two and one-half regiments, indiffer ently equipped. Smallpox and pneumonia proved fatal in many instances and there was a great scarcity of necessary supplies. Prior to the arrival of General Sibley,”** the confeder ates had already begun their operations. Lieutenant-Colonel John R. Bay- lor, second mounted rifles, C. S. A., occupied Fort Bliss in the month of July and later in the same month took possessi on of the plaza of La Mesilla. Fort Fillmore, at this time, was commanded by Major Isaac Lynde, a native of the state of Vermont. officer professed to be loyal. This While leading a portion of his com- *86 The treachery of Sibley is manifest in a letter written by him to Colonel Loring, from Hart’s Mill, El Paso, Texas, June 12, 1861. In that letter he Says: ‘‘We are at last under the glorious banner of the Confederate States of America. It was indeed a glorious sensation of protection, hope, and pride. Though its folds were modest and unpretending, the emblem was still there. The very Southern verdure and familiar foliage, as we progressed on our Journey, filled us with enthusiasm and home feeling. . . I regret now more than ever the sickly sentimentality (I can call it by no other name) by which was overruled in my desire to bring my whole command with me. I am Satisfied now of the disaffection of the best of the rank and file in New Mexico, and that we are regarded as having betrayed and deserted them. I wish I had my part to play over again; no such peace scruples should deter me from doing What I considered a bounden duty to my friends and my cause. I do not advocate the meeting of duplicity and dishonesty by the like weapons, but if I capture ) eneety buildings, I shall certainly not send back to my enemy the golden Tricks, ’? In the month of March, 1861, a convention was held at Mesilla, purporting to be a ‘‘Convention of the People of Arizona,’’ acting separately from the S0vernment of the territory of New Mexico, repudiating the United States and attaching themselves to the Confederate states. This resolutions, one of which was ‘‘That we will not recognize convention adopted the present Black epublican administration, and that we will resist any officers to 1s Territory by said administration with whatever means in appointed our power. On Lorenzo Labadie, at the time United States Indian agent, was served rth a copy of this threatened with tar duties of hig office. resolution and by the editor of the Mesilla feathers in the event he attempted Times to and exercise was the |