However, on pages 114 and 117 of Vol 50 are two letters from Carlton confirming that there were two distinct groups of prisoners. You need to read them to get the full flavor, but basically, Carlton's troops (and Carlton. maybe) found about twenty ill/infirm Confederates at Franklin, very likely left at Fort Bliss and pretty much on their own. This would seem to confirm that Federal trooops did not have an outpost there until after Sept., 1862. He also mentions that at about the same time he encountered (on the road I guess) the ninety-odd Confederates mentioned in the newspaper article from Sante Fe via Leavenworth.
He sends a "to whom it may concern" letter to an un-named Confederate Commander at San Antonio, essentially telling him these guys are on the way with Infantry and Cavalry escort, and they will be turned over when someone with authority from the Commander shows up on the road to take them on to San Antonio.
I've got to believe there is conclusion to this incident, and that they got to SA. I've got the CMSR of a trooper in B company, 1st Cal. Vol. Cav. and during the period of August-Sept. '62 he is on extra duty as a teamster with the QM Dept. One of Carlton's Spec. Orders for this period deals with using troops as teamsters so my guy may have been part of the escort that took them, since many had to be transported by wagon. By Oct, he is back in New Mexico.
Any other ideas where to look?