24 
PRESENT MILITARY POSTS AND PROPOSED CHANGES. 
del Muerto” to El Paso, a distance of one hundred and forty-two miles, there are at present 
four military posts, garrisoned by nearly half the military forces in the department of New 
Mexico. Commencing at the north, these posts are, first, Fort Conrad, which, under another 
name, has been moved down to the northern terminus of the “ Jornada;” Fort Thorne, in the 
valley of the river and opposite the centre of the “ Jornada,” a distance of sixty miles from 
Fort Conrad; Fort Fillmore, at the Bracita, fifty-four miles lower down; and Fort Bliss, oppo¬ 
site El Paso, and forty miles below Fort Fillmore. 
The garrisons are in order as follows: Fort Conrad, one company of infantry and one com¬ 
pany of dragoons; Fort Thorne, same garrison; Fort Fillmore, three companies of infantry 
and one company of dragoons; and Fort Bliss, four companies of infantry. We have distri¬ 
buted at intervals of less than sixty miles four military posts, comprising nearly one-half of 
the troops in the Territory, and for the protection of about one-eighth of the population. 
The establishment of Fort Thorne I consider in all respects a wise arrangement. A road 
has been made connecting it with Fort Conrad, and with the town of Dona Ana, and all mili¬ 
tary movements and trains are required to pursue this route. The road over the “ Jornada” 
has for many years been the scene of Indian depredations upon travellers and trains of wagons; 
and as, from its character, it can never he settled, it is likely to require for all times strong 
military dispositions for its security. Water is very scarce, there is no wood, and the grass is 
very indifferent. 
The small gain in distance (fifteen miles) by no means compensates for these disadvantages, 
and nothing hut the natural indolence of the Mexicans has ever diverted the travel from the 
valley of the river. That portion of the valley which hounds the “Jornada” on the west is 
among the finest portions of the arable country in New Mexico, and even partial security will 
soon secure its settlement and cultivation. The route along the river will then he as safe as 
any portion of the Territory, and the dangers of the “Jornada del Muerto” will only he me¬ 
mentoes of the past. It would be impolitic in the extreme to attempt any boring for water on this 
desert, as the road along the river furnishes every possible facility of wood, water, and grass; 
and the constant use of this route would redeem from solitude the best portion of the Bio 
Grande. The very success in supplying water on the “Jornada” would render necessary the 
perpetual maintenance of a strong military force for the defence of the route over it, whereas 
the settlement and cultivation of the valley of the river would soon leave the forces at Fort 
Thorne disposable for other purposes. The commander of the department of New Mexico has, 
in my judgment, exhibited great wisdom in establishing this post, and its good effects are 
already beginning to he perceptible. 
Fort Fillmore, which once occupied an important position opposite the valley and town of 
Mesilla, has, since the late treaty, entirely lost its consequence, and since the establishment of 
Fort Bliss, forty miles below, has become absolutely unnecessary. I therefore suggest that it 
be at once moved to the head of the Delaware creek, east of the Guadalupe mountains, and 
that its garrison he changed to two companies of dragoons and one of infantry. The establish¬ 
ment of this post would effectually cut off from the settlements below El Paso, and from the 
route to that place, the Indians of the White and Sacramento mountains, who have been con¬ 
stantly in the habit of carrying their forays into that part of the country; and with these 
troops in their rear, and near their places of retreat in the mountains, they would he extremely 
cautious about extending their depredations to the valley of the Rio Grande above. 
I suggest these military arrangements after much reflection, and after careful examination of 
the country and full knowledge of its necessities; and, taken in connexion with a great highway 
of travel across the plains, I think they will he found by experience to he in every respect 
advantageous. 
