Amos F. Garrison II to Charles C. Garrison, 16 February 1862
Sante Fe N.M.
February 16” 1862
Dear Uncle
This is the first letter that
I have written to either of my Uncles since I
left home, you must excuse me for it. I have
been waiting for some favorable war news that
would interest you, as there is nothing else in this
country in the way of news but what you have seen
and read of.
We are now on the verge (if not passed) of
the decisive battle of the Territory, which will take
place about 200 miles south of here, about 8 miles
from Fort Craig in this Territory. The Texans in
numbers from 2500 to 4000 men as report says
and with plenty of artillery and ammunition are
advancing on our forces which are about 14 or 1500
and militia, this latter force if we judge of them by
their actions at such time in the Mexican war
will not be of much service, but we hope for better,
our troops have but very little artillery, but are well
armed other ways with muskets and rifles.
This I think will be one of the most desparate
fought battles of the whole war, as the Texans are
men used to arms and fighting all their lives and a
great many of them were at the battle of Springfield
Mo. they are of that class called in former days
Southwest desperados and are commanded by
old regular officers who have served in the Territory
They are under the command of Major Silby now
General Silby.
I wish I was down there if it was
not for us being so busy I should have been there
sometime ago as aid to Lieut Col. J L Donaldson an
old regular officer.
Capt is now acting as Chief Quarter Master
and is Chief Commisary for the whole Territory and
not wanting to praise him but he has the confidence
of all the Staff and Commanding Officers.
The climate is clear day and healthy just
cold enough to invigorate a person
Give my love to all the folks. Uncle Amos
sends his love also. Good Bye
From your loving nephew
Amos F. Garrison Jr.
clerk Subs Dept
P.S. I have been here 5 months and get more salary
($100.per month) than any Government clerk in the
Department.
(excuse scribbling) A.F. G. Jr.
DATABASE CONTENT
| (562) | DL0068.007 | 14 | Letters | 1862-02-16 |
Letter from Captain Amos F. Garrison, United States Volunteers Commissary Department, Santa Fe, New Mexico, February 16, 1862, to his uncle Dr. Charles S. Garrison, Salem, New Jersey; Accompanied by Cover
Tags: Artillery, Fighting, Guns, Militia, News, Payment
People - Records: 2
Places - Records: 2
SOURCES
Amos F. Garrison II to Charles C. Garrison, 16 February 1862, DL0068.007
