Dear Lazmataz,
I am sure there is plenty of room for studying American History as well as European, Asian and Pacific history. There are always lessons to be taught, regardless of the era or the wars.
Should you be interested; there was a small town called Canada Alamosa, around New Mexico.
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME IV [S# 4] CHAPTER XI.
SEPTEMBER 25, 26, l861--Skirmishes at Canada Alamosa (25th) and near Fort Thorn, N. Mex. (26th).
No. 2. -- Report of Capt. John H. Minks, of skirmish at Canada Alamosa.
Doña Aña N.. Mex., September 29, 1861.
SIR: have the honor to report that, in pursuance to Order No. --, from the commanding officer at Fort Craig, I proceeded with my company about 40 miles southward from Fort Craig to a small town called Canada Alamosa, in order to establish a camp there, &c., leaving behind only 10 men as an escort for a train to Albuquerque, and 5 sick in the hospital at Fort Craig. On my arrival at Canada Alamosa I at once took the necessary steps to secure men and horses against a sudden attack, but I was not able to accomplish the work in one or two days as it ought to have been done, on account of my time being occupied in purchasing forage and making many necessary preparations in my camp to enable me to keep out constantly several small scouting parties. The operations were also retarded on account of the unwillingness of some of my men to use the spade and the pick ax.
Before I had finished my corral and breastworks, September 24, at about 5 p.m., I received information that mounted men had been seen in a southern direction from our camp. I immediately ordered 6 men, already in the saddle, to scout in the direction of Laguna, in company with a Mexican well acquainted with the topography of the country, to start and bring more positive information. They returned and reported the said men to be a scouting party from Captain Hubbell's company, in command of a certain Colisuara, who had come over on the right bank of the river to pasture their horses. Well aware that this was only an excuse for having abandoned their post on the Jornada, my intention was to arrest the party next morning and send them to Cap-lain Hubbell. At a later hour the same evening similar information was received of having seen mounted men, but, as I considered this already explained, I only cautioned my men not to leave the camp and to keep silence during the night., so they could always hear my voice and be at all hours ready to repel a night attack. The teamsters, who were to start the next day, were ordered to leave early, at 3 o'clock in the morning, for Fort Craig. I sat up writing until 1 or 2 o'clock in the morning before I retired. I was soon aroused by one of my sentinels reporting that he had heard a noise in the direction of the town. I gave the alarm to my men, who were immediately under arms.
he night at that hour was very dark; nothing could be seen. I ordered my men to saddle their horses, which were picketed in front of our line between the town and the camp, but before I could see what it meant they had disappeared in the darkness. Borne of my men say they fired into our camp. I did not see or hear it, though at this time our horses stampeded. I ordered 8 or 10 men to bring them back or to prevent them from falling into the hands of the enemy, but more than 30 men went off before I could prevent it, on account of the darkness. At this moment a terrible Indian yell was heard from the town. I thought for a while the Indians were attacking the town, and, with more than 40 of my men, was prepared to march to the rescue of the inhabitants, when we heard distinctly cavalry coming down on us, and a voice near our line hallooing out: "Here's their camp; give them hell the firing now commenced, and the enemy fell back into the town, I then knew that they were Texans, and that it was not an Indian yell I had heard a few moments before. I nevertheless thought the force could not be a large one; that the firing on their side would <ar4_28> be brisker, and came rather to the conclusion that they were only an advance picket of 12 or 15 men, who were trying to rout my camp by frightening us under cover of night, and who would retreat before daylight, satisfied to have a big laugh at us.
I had already sent an express (Lorenzo Tobats and Felix Gallegas) to Fort Craig, and determined to make a stand. I fell back behind some houses and fences, ceased firing at random, and, no shots being fired by the enemy for some time, I thought they had perhaps already retreated. I then tried to bring some of my men back, and used all kinds of means to prevent the enemy finding out the real number of my men on hand. I went on foot with a few others into the town, in order to find out something about the number and doings of the enemy, penetrating from house to house. Nothing could be seen. I thought the enemy must either have evacuated the town or it was a ruse to bring us out. I did not deem it prudent to go any far-ther(altered due to word monitor); went back to my camp, where I found that the number of my men had again diminished. I ordered Lieutenant Sanches to bring some of the men back, if there was any possibility to do so before daybreak, and called on volunteers to ride with me into the town to drive the enemy out if they were only few in numbers, or to set fire to some of the small outside houses, from which the enemy could fire at us, and which, at all events, would break the eternal darkness. Provided with matches and some dry wood, in company with Lieutenant Medina, Sergeant Mennett, and a few others, mounted and advanced towards the town, where, to our great surprise, we were received by a pretty smart musketry. We soon found out that we had made a wrong calculation as to the strength of the enemy, and in less than ten minutes were again at the very spot from whence we had started. At this hour of the morning a portion of the enemy took position at an elevated place to our right, near the road leading to Fort Craig, so that a retreat en masse would have been observed, and provoked the enemy not only to pursue us, but also those of my company who had gone after their horses, and, doubtless, well mounted as the enemy were, would have overtaken most of our horses and men in less than half an hour. At this time (nearly daybreak) I found my whole force reduced to 10 men. Nothing else could then be done but entertain the enemy and prevent the pursuit of the main body of my company. This was done by loud commands, as if the whole company were still present, and occasional firing for more than an hour, with the loss of only one teamster (John Morrin), wounded in the leg.
Seeing at last, by aid of my spy-glass, that the enemy were more than 60 horsemen strong and preparing to charge us, that retreat was utterly impossible for the few still with me, and further resistance would only lead to a useless butchery, I surrendered between 7 and 8 a.m., after having saved nearly all the men, horses, and arms of my company, but bound to lose 3 wagons, 12 mules, and a few horses, about 15 arms (carbines and pistols), besides all our camp equipage, one and a half boxes of cartridges, rations on hand, and a-small lot f old saddles and blankets, which were mostly all destroyed by the enemy. The enemy had one excellent horse killed and a few others wounded.
After my surrender I found the enemy's forces consisted of Captain Coopwood's spy company, 45 men strong, a (detachment of Captain Pyron's company, 45 meal strong, and 24: men more, detached from another company)any. Total, 114 men. They say that some of my men were killed, but I am not aware of this, although I took, before we left Alamos, great pains to ascertain this fact. It may be possible that I have on this occasion committed some errors. I am aware that I have, <ar4_29> but for others it is an easy thing to find fault when it is too late to do any good. If I had sent my wagons on and divided my company into four or five spy parties, and had them out only one day before, no loss, or very little loss, would have been experienced, and in all probability I would not be a prisoner now. The word "if" is a great word. If Captain Coop wood had delayed his attack until the next morning, cutting off our retreat, which he could have done, not a horse or man of mine could have escaped. He nevertheless had plenty of good reasons to act as he did.
Not being permitted to report the further movements of the enemy, I only state that my second lieutenant, M. Medina, was badly wounded in the upper leg the next day by our own men; the bone is probably hurt, but the wound will not prove fatal; Mr. Peter Dens, of Las Cruces, an old friend of mine, has taken care of him. John Morrin, the teamster before alluded to is in the hospital at this place, doing well. I am under parole not to leave the headquarters of Colonel Baylor without his permission. We are all well treated so far; receive our rations, and up to this hour have not heard a single unkind word from officers or men, although they have to deplore the loss of two of their best men killed in the action which took place the next morning (September 26), When our troops overtook the same party about 30 miles below the Alamosa and, furthermore, have about seven wounded in the hospital.
I submit this report to the kind consideration of the colonel commanding, and have the honor to be, most respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN H. MINKS,
New Mexico Mounted Volunteers.
Col. E. R. S. Canby,
Commanding U. S. Forces in New Mexico.
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O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME IV [S# 4] CHAPTER XI.
SEPTEMBER 25, 26, l861--Skirmishes at Canada Alamosa (25th) and near Fort Thorn, N. Mex. (26th).
No. 3. -- Report of Capt. Robert M. Morris, Third U. S. Cavalry, of skirmish near Fort Thorn.
FORT CRAIG, N.. MEX., September 29, 1861.
CAPTAIN: In obedience to your verbal order give me at 9 a.m. on the 25th instant, I moved with Companies C, G, and K, Regiment of Mounted Riflemen, to the relief of Captain Minks' mounted volunteers, at Canada Alamosa. I reached that point at 4.30 p.m. I should state that I ordered Captain Hubbell's company to join my command from their camp opposite Panago, which was under the command of Lieutenant Hubbell, the first lieutenant.
Arriving at Canada Alamosa, I found that a number of ponies were too wearied to proceed at any gait. I therefore left Lieutenant Brady (who was too sick to proceed in charge of the camp, and resumed my march with 101 rank and file on the trail of the Texan force which had captured Captain Minks, marching until 3 a.m. of the following morning, rested until daylight, then proceeded on the trail.
Lieutenant Cooley, of the Second Volunteer Regiment (who acted as my aide de camp), riding in advance, discovered the Texans encamped. I then formed my command to charge, but upon examining their position I saw it was futile to attempt it at that time.
To test their strength I ordered Lieutenant Treacy with his company <ar4_30> (C) to take position on their right flank and attack them, whilst I moved forward to attack them front and left. Taking up my position, a single` shot was fired. I immediately dismounted and went into action, which lasted an hour and forty-two minutes.
My ammunition running low, I retired a half mile as a feint to draw them out from their intrenchments, but without success. I then turned their right and camped 2½ miles from them, where I remained till 5 p.m.; then I moved up the creek and encamped, where I remained until dark, and then moved back on Canada Alamosa with my wounded, which place I reached at 4 a.m. on the 27th instant.
Although it may appear invidious to mention names where all behaved so coolly and with unflinching bravery, I will state that Dr. Sylvester Rankin and Lieutenant Cooley performed their appropriate duties to my full satisfaction. To the riflemen engaged I cannot but say that they proved themselves by their coolness and bravery men who will sustain their regimental flag under any circumstances.
Lieutenant Treacy's conduct on the field elicited my highest approbation.(*)
This report is respectfully submitted.
R. M. MORRIS,
Captain, Regiment Mounted Riflemen.
Capt. H. R. SELD2N,
Fifth Infantry, Commanding Post.
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I think I would be interested in how Canada Alamosa came to be--perhaps Canadians settled in that part of New Mexico. Perhaps, there can be that thread to the good people of Canada.
Just some thoughts.
Respectfully submitted for consideration,
M. E. Wolf
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