NATCHITOCHES [LA] UNION, September 4, 1862, p. 1, c. 3
Texas.
Van Dorn Wells, 160 Miles E of }
Fort Bliss, Texas, July 23, 1862. }
Mr. Item: I am one of the parole prisoners of Sibley's brigade, bound for Dixie on the walker line. Five companies of the 3d, under Captain Steele, left Bliss on the 18th for San Antonio. The Mexicans have been troublesome from Dona Anna to this place, stealing horses at every chance. A few days ago, near Mesilla, Captain Clever, of Angelina county, and 7 or 8 of his men, were murdered by them. All white folks are flying to the settlements. There are some 25 families with Steele's command. About 1500 California arrived at Mesilla on the 10th, and would have crossed over to Fort Fillmore, but the river being up, prevented them—luckily for Capt. Steele. The Californians are 4000 strong, the remainder being at the Pino Alta gold mines, where they remain until provisions reach them from Fort Union. There is one regiment of Colorado troops below Fort Craig, coming down the Rio Grande. Gen. Denvier arrived at fort Union on the 10th ult., with five regiments of Kansans, to form a junction with the whole of the other forces under Gen. Canby. After garrison [sic] the posts between forts Union and Clark, they intend to invade western Texas. I learned this from the feds at Santa Fé. I was allowed to see all their newspapers from California and the eastern States. I left Santa Fé on the 15th ult., in their charge to Fort Thorn. Was there turned over to Col. Steele. He pointed the road out to me leading to San Antonio! It is a hard road to travel—though I imagine I shall make the trip between now and Christmas! The soldiers are most in good health; grass fine; Indians plenty, and a shower of rain every day.
L. B.
[The above conveys more definite information than any thing we have yet seen of the numbers and design of the enemy. The writer is well known to many of our citizens, and his statement may be relied on. Already we have the reports that the whites have left El Paso, and that the feds occupy the place. Whether Col. Baylor can check them, is a mooted point. Gen. Hébert may have to take the business in hand, though we are not apprised of the force he has about him near San Antonio.—ED.]
Huntsville (Texas) Item
--Vicki Betts