Arizona weekly citizen., 1893-11-25
MIR. SHANNON GIVES SOME HISTORY.

The Bulletin two weeks ago pub. lished an article from the Phenix Re- publican in which, by proclamation of Jefferson Davls, showed that Arizona was formed into a territory by the southern confederacy in February 1862. But it was stated that no his tory of Arizona had ever mentioned the fact, and no knowledge of who was governor under the confederacy was given.
 Chas. M. Shannon, of Clifton, now at Santa Fe. New Mexico, read the article in the Bulletin and sends the following to its editor which sheds light on the question raised, besides giving many interesting points in the career of Gen. John R. Baylor, who was appointed governor of Arizona by Jefferson Davis. Following is MT. Shannon's letter in full:
 SANTA FE, N. M., Oct. 17, 1893.
 EDITOR BULLETIN:-The enclosed clipping from the last issue of your paper attracted my attention from the following fact, perhaps, more than any other.
 Gen. John k. Baylor, now living at Uvalde, Texas, an own cousin of my mother, was governor of Arizona by appointment from the confederate government. Formerly the line be- tween Arizona and New Mexico ran east and west and while Baylor was at Mesilla, now an almost deserted town on the Rio Grande, in Dons Ana county, New Mexico. General Baylor, while governor, captured and destroyed Fort Fillmore, on the Rio Grande below Nesilla; took part in the battles of Val Verde and Pigeon Ranch, N. M., conducting the latter, and made aggressive war on the Apa- ehes. This war was carried to such an extent that it brought about his removal. He sent an ox-train of poi soned flour to Cooks canyon and abandoned 1t, that the Apaches might get it and they did. For this act Jefferson Davis demanded his resignation. After this he returned to his home in Texas and was elected a member or the confederate con- gress.
 General Baylor participated as a boy in the Texas. war of indepen- dence; originated the idea of the Texas "rangers" for the defense of settlers against Indians and protec- ton of the frontier; helped to orga- nize the ranger" forces and led them Tn many battles against border ruffiars and msrauding Indians.
 In one of his campaigns against the Comanches who had been plum dering and murderIne the frontier settlers of Texas, he followed them to thelr reservation in the northern part of the state when he was met by an officer of the United States army, who was in charge of body of sol diers that more than doubled his ran- gers and who commanded them to stop. Baylor demanded to know sy what right or authority this com mand was given, to which the officer replied: q command you in the name of the United States govern ment." To this Baylor replied: s.This government is composed of It's people, for its people and we are the people, you are our servants. Stand back. Then with and order to his men to follow, dashed through the line of the soldiers, down upon the Indians and killed about four hun- dred of them. It is needless to say quiet reigned for many years there after on the Texas frontier.
 This letter is not written with any view of publication but merely to forestall the reply to Judge Bakers request at least as far as the first governor of Arizona is concerned, that a list of the officers be published in the Confederate War Journal.
 Yours &c.,
 c. M. SHANNON.