August 11^th 1861

Fort Bliss El paso County Texas

 

Dr. E. W. Treadwell

Dear Cousin I avail my self of the present opportunity of droping you a few lines to let you know that I still in the land of the living blessed with good health and good spirits and in hope that when thes lines comes to hand will find you in possession of the same blessing I have nothing that is new to write to you only a little skirmish that we had with the federal troops we left this place under command of Col Baylor Capt Hardimon, Cap Stafford, Capt. Leeds, Capt Coopwood by Company we left this place on the 23^rd of last month for Ft Filmore in new Mexico with 280 men on the night of the 24^th we taken a position in 600 yards of the fort and picketts were placed out and every precaution taken to storm the fort by surprise next morning at day break the plan would of had been a compleat success but for the desertion of a pickett who went in to the fort and give the alarm the fort was alive in a few minutes and the plan was a failure we then moved across the river to take the town of San tomas distance being three miles where there were two Companys of US troop had been stationed but they had got wind of us and fled to the fort but provisions amunition clothing blanketts buffalo rugs a few pistols & guns and a little money was taken eight prisnors that would not leave about ten oClock the the Confederates entered in to Mesilla distance 3 miles the United States troops were reported crossing the river about noon of the 25^th about 5 oClock the clouds of dust indicated the enemy were advancing for an attack on the town the whole of our forces was moved to the edge of of the town preperations were made to give them a warm / reception the houses forming an angle and are quite scaterd and old corrals enclosed in by walls made of of dirt our men were dismounted and were formed in the corrals behind the dobey walls making our position a very advantageous one for defence the citizens posted them selves on the tops of the houses on the principal streets to render their assistance the enemy advanced to within 500 yards of our position and halted and formed in lines of battle with two small pieces of small cannon in the center and the infantry and cavelry on the wings the whole force appearing to be about 500 strong a flag of truce was then sent to our Commander to surrender his whole forces to them the reply was that we would fight a little first they unmasked their cannon and comenced fireing bombs and grape at us and to the town without ever giving them warning to move the women and children but fortunately they never done any injury to a soul after fireing a couple of rounds of grape at the more advanced position of our force the cavilry then made a charge on us within three hundred yards of us where we were concealed behind the doby wall our men then fired a volley 40 or fifty shots at them killing four and and wounding four throwing them in to confusion and finally in to retreat their officers vainly trying to rally them order was given to charge four times to no purpose and they retired in confusion caring with them the dead and wounded we were in a vary carious position the grape and the bombs and bullets whistling over our heads at one oClock on the morning of the 27 the enemy evacuated fort Filmore with all their forces previously burning up much valuable property and amunition musketts clothing Quarter Master store the Hospital and medicines and furniture &c the United States / troops retreated in direction of Ft Stanton and were seen by our scouts immediately after daylight the whole command of our forces were ordered in pursuit and drawed on in full chase after the fugitives the road lay over the table lands and mountains to a pass where there was no water and the day being very warm straglers of the enemy were seen along the road side all most dead from fateagued and thirst an hunger guns cathrige boxes canteens clothing blankets women and children which was a pittiful sight whose husbands & fathers was scared so bad that they run off and left them to the main body of the enemy was a sucession of charges men were taken prisnors and disarmed in squads the artilery was captured and a great many of the infantry were taken before the main body was reached they had crossed over the hill some 400 hundred in number and had formed in battle array advance was made to charge on them by our troops and they had reached within three hundred yards when a flag of truce was raised by the Unite States troops desiring to know on what condition our Commander would receive a surrender the reply was an unconditional surrender they immediately agreed to an unconditional surrender

 

During this day 11 Companies of US regular troops mounted and on foot mustering 400 effecting men surrendered to 280 Confederates 4 pieces canon arms equipments 200 Cavilry horses mules and wagons 250 head of beef cattle the our men an officers were disapointed in one thing alone that the victory was so easily won and all of with the success we had there was not anuf of blood lost on the Confederate side Col Baylor taken the officers and men and turned them loose on parool of honor not to take up arms against the South he said that / he had rather fight them than to feed them them we got on track of 200 that was coming down to recruit those that we had taken but they heard of us and taking a fright burnt up all of there wagons except a few which they were necissarly compelled to have and when heard heard from last they were making for parts unknown at the rates of about 6 or 7 miles to the hour our horses were all rode down and could not pursue them we left this place with 5 days rasions and was gone sixteen days Some times two or three days without a mouth full but the boys all kep in good spirits they getting well paid for their labor It would amuse you to see the boys cooking their grub making the dough in a bottle cap and baking it on a ram rod and grinding our coffee on the horn of our saddles with the but of our guns this is a beautiful country here on the Riogrande the greates place fruits of all kinds vegatables & there are a great mexicans hear they have fandangos every night and there are some of the women that looks very well and the sees a fine time prominedeing with them

 

When you get this you must write to me and let me know how you are a getting along in the world and what you are adoing and where you are aliving and the general news of the country anything you do not take notice of would interrest me give my best respects to all of your family and the relations and all enquiring friends and tell them all to write and do the same yourself so nothing more at present but remains your affectionate son till death

 E. A. Treadwell

 

PS Direct your letters to Fort Bliss El paso                                       

Texas  Care of Capt Hardimon

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