Amos F. Garrison II to John Kirby, 31 March 1862
Fort Union N. M.
March 31st 1862
March 31st 1862
Dear Brother
Since my last we have been
compelled to evacuate two of our main Military
Posts namely Albuquerque & Sante Fe. after
destroying all Government Property that we could not
take away, which amounts to over a quarter of a
million dollars, our force in this part of the
Territory at the two above named Posts and have
only amounted to about three hundred white men
and as the Texan force numbered from two to
two thousand five hundred we were compelled
to fall back on this place which is the strongest
Fort and principal Depot for all kind of stores
in the Department. Since we arrived here we have
been reinforced by one thousand Volunteers from
Colorado Territory. these with our force here have
been out on the road to Sante Fe harassing
the enemy. They have been fighting for the last
four or five days. The last accounts were that
we had by strategy burnt up fifty wagon of them
loaded with baggage, ammunition and provisions
and disabled one cannon by spiking it. This was
done by attacking them in front, then falling back
and of course the enemy advanced while in this
situation a detached party of our men attacked
their train. This was not done without loss, but we
have not heard the particulars; we have 7 officers and
about 100 private prisoners, and their loss of killed and
wounded over another hundred. it is reported that
among the killed of the Texians is a Major and two
Capts. It is awful dull being compelled to stay
here while this exciting work is going on within
seventy five miles from here but the Captain is
ordered to to stay here, and so do I have to. he was
not in Sante Fe but was ordered away on special
business at the time of the evacuation, so I was
one of the very last to leave Sante Fe not until
some of the Texians were in town, and I was in
hopes that I would be one of the first to go in
again.
Upon leaving Sante FE I left behind me my
private book of accounts and matters at home.
I dont know that I will get it again. So I wish
you would send me a Statement of all the moneys
how invested and what date when due and any
other particulars you may deem useful to me. As
I would like to know what resources I shall have
to fall back on when I come home, by sending
this at an early date you will do me a great
favour.
I am in hopes by next letter I shall be able
to give some good news from this point. with
this I shall have to say Good Bye. Give my
love to all the folk. kiss Nellie & Katie for me.
I should like very much to see them I expect they
are goodbig girls now. I wrote to Harriet two
weeks ago.
Your Affectionate Brother
Amos F. Garrison, Jr.
Dr John Kirby
Salem, N.J.
11 Texian officers and ninety five
prisoners just arrived here Monday
March 31” 1862 10 o’clock at night
A.F.G.
DATABASE CONTENT
| (566) | DL0068.011 | 14 | Letters | 1862-03-31 |
Letter from Captain Amos F. Garrison, United States Volunteers Commissary Department, Santa Fe, New Mexico, March 31, 1862, to his brother Dr. John Kirby, Salem, New Jersey; Accompanied by Cover
Tags: Boredom, Destruction of Land/Property, Prisoners of War, Reinforcements
People - Records: 2
Places - Records: 2
SOURCES
Amos F. Garrison II to John Kirby, 31 March 1862, DL0068.011
