The Shasta courier., 1861-09-14
SHASTA COURIER.
Hostilities I'm Arizona.

Incidentally, we referred in our last issue
to the success of the Rebels in Arizona, un-
der the command of Col. Baylor, and since
that time further details have reached US
showing the actual condition of affairs as they
exist there. We confess that the conduct Of
Major Lynde, in command of the Government
troops in the Territory. is to us astounding.
That six or seven hundred of the best appoin-
ted infantry in the United Ststes army should
surrender to rebel force of 300, is almost
incredible; yet such is the tenor Of our advi
ces. 1t would appear, that nothing but dis
aster awaits the Union army in its encounters
with traitors and rebels. Why is this, and
what are the causes of it? The "untoward"
affair at Great Bethel was accounted for by
one regiment firing on another and thus CIV
ing the alarm, SO that the garrison could not
be surprised, and the Government troops had
to fall back in ''good order" Is this condi-
tion Of affairs to continue? Is there not mis-
management somewhere? The Bankers of
Boston are satisfied of the incompetence of
Secretaries Cameron and Wells, and unite in
memorial to the President, asking theirre-
moval. This action of the monied men of
New England is significant, and will lead to
results OF Importance to the country.
We think that there must be some inaccu-
racy in the figures appended below, but we
give them as reported, with caution in re.
gard to their reliability.
The Mesilla Times of July 9th, contains
the account of the evacuation of Fort Fillmore
by the United States. the battle of Mesilla,
the retreat of the Federals, and their persuit
and capture by the rebels. According to the
Times. the IL companies of United States reg
ular troops, mounted and foot, who surrender.
ed to the Confederates, mustered 700 effective
men. The rebels are represented as having
numbered only 280. Among the booty were
four pieces of cannon, arms, equipments, 200
cavalry horsos, mules and wagons, and 270
head Of beef cattle. The surrender was un-
conditional. Although all the Confederate
forces we're advancing to the charge. the num-
Der of their men was concealed BY clouds of
dust. Capt. Hardeman's company being
considerably in advance of the others, the
surrender is reported to have been actually
made to Col. Waller, with IS men under his
command of that company. The rebel force
under Lieut.. COL Baylor Commanding the
Confederate forces at Fort Bliss, Texas was
as follows: Capt. Staford's company of
Mounted Rifles, IS men Capt. Hardeman's
company of Mounted Riaes, 80 men Lieut..
Bennett, with detachment of Teele's Artil-
lery, 38 men-(they did not bring the cannon
but were mounted j Capt Coopwood's Spy
company, 40 men. Added to these were a
number of the citizens of Mesilla and El Paso
in all about 300 men.
The next step of the rebels, was to declare
Arizona out of the Union, and portion of
the Confederate territory. As far az mere
paper is concerned this was accomplished in
the following fashion:
Lieutenant Colonel John R. Baylor, COM
manding the Confederate forces of Arizona,
and Governor pro tenn. of the Territory. is
sued proclamation, dated Mesilla, August
ist, by which the Territory was taken poses
sion Of in the name of the Confederate States
of America. and which established tempora-
rhy, and until the action of fCongress, form
of government. 1t declares.
All Offices, both civil aud military. hereto.
fore existing IN this Territory. either under
the laws of the late United States or the Ter
ritory of New Mexico, are hereby declared
vacant, and from the date hereof shall forev.
ef eease to exist
That the people of the Territory may enjoy
the full benefits Of law, order and protection
and rs far as possible the blessings and ad-
yantages of fres Government, it is hereby
decreed that the laws aud enactments existing
ii this Territory prior to the date of this proc
lamation, and consistent with the constitution
and laws of the Confederate States of Ameri-
Cd and the precision of this decree, shall con.
tiKue in full force and effect, without inter-
ruption, until such time as the Confederate
Congress may otherwise provide.
The following appointments had been
made by Governor baylor.
Secretary of the Territory, James A. Lucas;
Attorney General, M. H. Macwillie; Treas
s,irer, E. Angerstein; Marshal, NJ. Frazer.
Some other appointments of less note had
also been made by the same authority.
Thus has this territory for which the Uni
ted States Government paid $l0,0OO,O 900
passed over either through the treachery, or
cowardice of Maj. Lynde, to the Confederate
States. The parties who have figured in this
transaction will be held to a stxiet account
for their conduct. The time has passed when
the acts Of Twiggs can be repeated with i'm
punity.