364 SPENCER FULLERTON BAIRD 
Elliott Coues to Spencer F. Baird. 
Santa F&, 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 Isaw. 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 Hdaqrs. 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 
