---I'm guessing it is Van Horn, not Van Dorn, Wells. Ever though Earl Van Dorn was in the 2nd Cav. and saw service in the Trans-Pecos, I believed the naming of Van Horn Wells can be traced to one of two other U.S. soldiers who also saw Texas frontier service in the 1850s.
---The July date for the communication does not dove-tail with the letters and reports submitted by Gen. Carlton. His reports suggest that the group of prisoners he mentions were in transition a month or so after that (late August/early September) This may be resolvable when I see some references I have on order.
Lastly, I need to better understand the names and places he mentions. Some are identifiable and some I'm not at all familar with.
I thought the reference to Baylor having some role in moving to keep Federal forces from occupying the far western part of the state was quite intresting. Carlton's reports during the period exhibit a concern that the failed Sibley expedition might reform, under Baylor, and renew the attack against New Mexico. Of course, that didn't happen but then the Federal occupation of the Trans-Pecos during the War didn't happen either.
Mike