Reports of explorations and surveys, to ascertain the most practicable and economical route for a railroad from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean: Vol. 2, Pt. 4

PRESENT MILITARY POSTS AND PROPOSED CHANGES.
del Muerto" to E1 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, opposite E1 Paso, and forty miles below Fort Fillmore.
The garrisons are in order as follows: Fort Conrad, one company of infantry and one company 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 distributed 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 Doia Ana, and all military 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 be 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 but the natural indolence of the Mexicans has ever diverted the travel from the
valley of the river. That portion of the valley which bounds 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 be as safe as
any portion of the Territory, and the dangers of the'Jornada del Muerto" will only be mementoes 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 Rio
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 be 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 be changed to two companies of dragoons and one of infantry. The establishment 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 constantly 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 be 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 be found by experience to be in every respect
advantageous.