364 SPENCER FULLERTON BAIRD 



Elliott Coues to Spencer F. Baird. 



SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO, June 14, 1864. 

 DEAR PROFESSOR, 



I last wrote you from near Fort Riley, when I forwarded the box 

 of birds we collected there. The day after writing my last I started; 

 and have just turned up here at Santa Fe. The Indian hostilities 

 necessitated travelling with an escort from Fort Riley to the crossing 

 of the Arkansaw; so that we could only make twenty or thirty miles 

 a day. But I profited by the slow travelling to collect samples of 

 everything feathered I saw. Got some nice Athene etc. At the crossing 

 of the Arkansaw, being nearly out of Cheyenne difficulty, we went on 

 faster. But at Bent's old fort we ran in the mud of three weeks' 

 growth, and all through to Raton mts., and to Fort Union, mud 

 would only allow of 20 miles or so a day. Then the coach wheel 

 broke down; we had nothing to eat for 40 hours while dragging along 

 etc. But I have seen the buffaloes, the antelope, the Cynomys, 

 Athenes again and Caudisoma; and have arrived here in as good health 

 and spirits as could possibly be desired. 



Reported at Hdqrs. yesterday, General Carleton was affable and 

 courteous as possible; but he wondered how at Washington they 

 could make such a mistake as to suppose that Ft. Garland was in 

 his domain. He says that he has no jurisdiction there. So Fort 

 Garland is no go. We looked over the map of his territory, and from 

 his knowledge of the country, he looked upon Fort Whipple in Arizona 

 as the most eligible spot for collecting; and he has accordingly ordered 

 me there; saying that I can exchange if the place don't turn out well, 

 or when I have used it up. He says it is an entirely unexplored 

 region, and offers the finest opportunities. 



I am very sorry that Dr. Beers can't go with me. I coaxed the 

 General hard but it was quite impossible he said. He has sent Beers 

 to a post a hundred miles or so from Ft. Whipple. Beers will write 

 you about it. 



Going so far west, and in such a country, I can't feel satisfied 

 to go with only the amount of small shot I have. Have used a good 

 deal already. So I shall write to Dr. Engelmann for some more, 

 bought the same way as the last; and forwarded, not by express, but 



