would urge that re-enforcements hurry up as fast as possible. I shall have to fall back on Quitman, and maybe Davis. I am sending my supplies ahead, and will keep the enemy in check, if possible; but send up men as soon as possible, for they will be needed. It is reported to me that General Sumner is on the way from Guaymas with 2,000 regular troops to meet the forces from above at Mesilla. Hurry up if you want a fight. JOHN R. BAYLOR, Lieutenant-Colonel, Comdg. Second Reg't Mounted Rifles.

[Judge S. HART:]

DOÑA ANA, October 24, 1861.

DEAR JUDGE: I write a few lines to say we are all quiet and busy forwarding our supplies. No news from above. My spies are down from Thorn. No sign of the enemy so far. I will have them watched, and let you know in time all the news. Cannot you send pony to Chihuahua to ascertain if Sumner is coming across? I learn he is coming, and think it should be seen to by all means. Keep cool, for we have time. They will get no re-enforcements from Kansas, and if Sumner does not come we will bag the whole party before spring. So far they have no re-enforcements, and are depending on Mexicans who have been pressed into service. I shall just keep out of the way and let them fall to pieces of their own weight. The money Price took at Lexington was to pay the New Mexican troops off, but won't be used for that purpose now, and how long the Mexicans will serve without pay will be seen; not long, I imagine.

Kind regards to madam and boys.
Yours,

[Judge S. HART:]

JOHN R. BAYLOR.

DOÑA AÑA, October 24, 1861.

DEAR JUDGE: My spy returned yesterday, bringing me news that Colonel Canby was at Craig with 2,500 men, and would move against me by the 1st of November. Last night an express from Santa Fé arrived, bringing me the same news, and confirming all the particulars stated by my spy.

I want you to get all the transportation possible to move the stores at Fort Bliss to Quitman or Davis, as I shall direct. I shall send all from here, and make my arrangements for an orderly retreat, as it is folly for me to attempt resistance against such odds; and, besides, it only amounts to the inconvenience of moving, for when General Sibley gets with me we will return and get pay. I send you an extra which was brought by express from Santa Fé. This is a damper on the enemy, for it was the very funds intended to pay off the very troops in New Mexico, who have had. no pay for eighteen months. There is great dissatisfaction up there for want of pay among the regulars and the force used to get the natives in the ranks. With three more companies I would fight them, but don't think it prudent now. Tom has deserted and gone to Kentucky. Don't be alarmed. I can get out of the way, and you must all look out and remove your effects across the river. Tell Crosby and Magoffin to be calm, and do not create a panic. All will turn out right. A little time is all we want. You will hear of some tall guerrilla work before long.

I have only to add that I leave to your good sense and judgment to do as you think best. Don't fail to send corn at once to Quitman and a large supply for Davis. This must be done at once. I will keep you advised of all movements.

Yours, in haste,

JOHN R. BAYLOR.

HEADQUARTERS,

Doña Aña, Ariz., October 25, 1861.

COMMANDER DEPARTMENT OF TEXAS:

SIR: I hasten to inform you that my spies have returned from New Mexico, bringing the intelligence that Colonel Canby, with 2,500 men and a battery of flying artillery, are en route to this place. I shall be compelled to fall back, as my force is too weak to meet them. I have petitioned time and again for re-enforcements to prevent this disaster, to all of which a deaf ear has been turned. I have only to add that the abandonment of the country will necessarily be attended with a great sacrifice of property, and subject the friends of our cause to persecution and ruin. If it is the wish of the colonel commanding the department that Arizona should be abandoned, and I presume it is, he can congratulate himself upon the consummation of that event.

The colonel commanding the department informs me in his last orders to me that in case of invasion I can make such disposition as I think proper of the troops on my line, &c. This is liberal, when it is remembered that the troops of the enemy are but little over 100 miles from me and my re-enforcements scattered for 500 miles.

It is unnecessary to ask for re-enforcements, as I presume they are not to be had. I shall therefore fall back, and await the arrival of Brigadier-General Sibley.

Respectfully, &c.,

STATE OF TEXAS, ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE,

General P. O. HÉBERT, C. S. A.,

Austin, Tex., October 28, 1861.

Commanding Department of Texas, Galveston, Tex.:

GENERAL: I have the honor to inclose you extracts from a letter addressed to me by Brig. Gen. D. M. Stapp, of the Texas militia, respecting the defenses of the important pass leading into Matagorda Bay. He is the collector of the port of Indianola; was a member of the late State Convention, and is an old citizen of intelligence and respectability.

Trusting that you will pardon any violation of military rule in my addressing you this communication directly, I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,

[Inclosure.]

WM. BYRD, Adjutant-General of Texas.

Col. WM. BYRD, Adjutant-General, Austin, Tex.:

There are two companies (Captains Shea's and Reuss'), say 180 men, at the Pass, with four 24-pounders, furnished by the Government, and two 9 B R-VOL IV

12-pounders and one 6-pounder, turned over by the citizens or military board of Indianola. This constitutes our defense. Suppose an inva sion be attempted through this point. Those men, with their armaments, would fall an easy prey to the enemy, and before assistance could reach them from Victoria the enemy would be prepared to meet us with our own guns. Captain Pearson's company, from Matagorda, and Captain Phillips', from Lavaca, should have been ordered to the Pass, instead of farther back into the country. You are aware, from personal experience, of the uncertainty of transportation from Indianola, or Lavaca, or Matgorda to the Pass, depending, as it does, upon the wind and tide. It is clear to my mind that the post should be strengthened or abandoned. Captain Beaumont's company of cavalry, it was thought, was to be stationed on the island, and many joined from here with that belief. It seems to me that they could do much good as scouts on the island below the fort. They could cut off detachments if the enemy attempted a landing, and give information if they made their appearance below. They do no good stationed at Victoria. I do not know whose duty it is to see to the military condition of this particular section of the coast, but I assure you there is immense responsibility resting somewhere. No officer or engineer, with authority to control or direct the military defenses of this bay, has ever been ordered here. Captain Shea, who does not profess to be an engineer, was ordered to select a place at or near the Pass, and to put his guns in. This he has done, and done well, no doubt, and he and Captain Reuss, with their companies, will die defending them; but he has no authority to increase his force or abandon the post.

These suggestions are hastily summed up to call your attention to the facts, that you may see the importance of action in the premises. If we are in danger, immediate action alone can save us. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

GALVESTON, TEX., October 31, 1861.

Hon. J. P. BENJAMIN, Richmond, Va.:

MY DEAR SIR: I had the honor a few days since of addressing an official communication to the War Department, stating as my opinion that an army of some 15,000 men would be necessary to resist an invasion of this State and to protect its frontiers, and to ask for authority to call out that number of volunteers. From my intercourse and correspondence with the authorities and people of this State, I know that they look for protection at the hands of the Confederate Government, and expect me, its representative, to act in the matter. It is a difficult task under the circumstances. All I can do is to call out volunteers, and place in their hands such weapons as can be found in the country. Of lead, powder, and caps the supply is almost nothing at all. I have called upon the people to collect and preserve all they have. Arrangements have been, by my direction, made with firms here to procure munitions of war from Mexico, giving cotton in exchange, and with some hopes of success.

To tell you how totally unprepared, confused, and defenseless I found this department, and to describe fully the difficulties under which I have labored, and do still, from lack of means, guns, arms, ammunition, and a proper military organization, would be tedious, and employ too

Much of your valuable time. As an engineer, I can but too well appre

ciate the defenseless state of the sea-coast, see plainly what is needed generally, but of course can only deplore my inability to remedy the evil. I much fear that I have brought my little military reputation to an early grave. At all events, I will endeavor to justify the confidence of the President in charging me with this difficult command, and trust to your knowledge of the correctness of my motives and your friendship for me to set me right in all matters where I may seem to transcend the authority usually vested in commanders of departments.

Very respectfully and truly, yours,

P. O. HÉBERT.

MILITARY DEPARTMENT OF TEXAS,
Galveston, Tex., November 4, 1861.

Col. J. C. MOORE, Comdg. Military District of Galveston, Tex.:
SIR: Commander Hunter, C. S. Navy, was ordered to report to the
general commanding the Department of Texas. He has been placed
on special duty, and assigned to the immediate command of the naval
defenses of the port of Galveston and the vessels in the employ of the
Government. Commander Hunter, as any other subordinate officer, is
subject to the orders of military superiors in this military district. The
right of the general commanding, when present in person, to communi-
cate directly with the blockading squadron on the coast it is taken for
granted that Colonel Moore did not intend to question.

By order of Brig. Gen. P. O. Hébert, commanding Military Department of Texas:

GENERAL ORDERS,

No. 11.

SAML. BOYER DAVIS, Major and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

From and after this date no for a less period than the war. unless sooner discharged.

HDQRS. MIL. DEP'T OF TEXAS,

Galveston, Tex., November 6, 1861. authority shall be given to raise troops Enlistments shall be made for the war,

By command of Brig. Gen. P. O. Hébert, commanding Military Department of Texas:

Col. JOHN S. FORD,

SAML. BOYER DAVIS,

Major and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

RINGGOLD BARRACKS, TEX.,
November 7, 1861.

Comdg. Second Regiment Mounted Rifles, Fort Brown, Tex.: SIR: On the 29th ultimo we received information that the detachment of Captain Benavides' company had been withdrawn from Carrizo, and that a party of Mexicans from the other side of the Rio Grande had threatened to attack the place. Immediately I started for that point, and arrived there on the following day, but too late to prevent the stealing of several horses from the rancho. They confined their depredations to stock alone, avoiding the rancho and persons therein. The party engaged in this affair were inhabitants of this State, but, when Texas seceded, they refused to bear allegiance to the Confederacy, and openly declared their intention of supporting no government except

that of the United States. About that time Captain Nolan attacked and killed several of the rebels, whereupon the remainder of them ran to the opposite side of the river, where they have remained ever since at a rancho opposite Carrizo. Their ranches on this side of the river are mostly deserted. Occasionally you will find servants in some of the ranches, attending to their stock. Is not this property subject to confiscation? If so, am I the proper person to take the matter in hand! Please inform me as to the way to proceed. I have the names of the refugees, furnished me by the chief justice of the county. I find it nec essary to leave a detachment of men at Carrizo, as it is unsafe for the citizens to remain there without protection as long as these marauders remain at the rancho just across the river.

I learned at Carrizo that the majority of the Mexican citizens of Zapata County had never taken the oath of allegiance to the Confederate States, whereupon I issued an order for them all to come forward and fulfill that duty. The time being somewhat short, only twenty came forward; but, on election day, all will be required to do so before voting. In a few days I expect to report to you that all of the Mexicans in that county have become citizens. My command are all well, and fast improving in the drill.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

W. H. BREWIN,

HEADQUARTERS SIBLEY'S BRIGADE, A. T. V.,
San Antonio, Tex., November 8, 1861.

General S. COOPER,

Adjutant and Inspector General C. S. Army: GENERAL: I have the honor to forward herewith for your information certain letters from Lieutenant-Colonel Baylor, Judge Crosby, and Judge Hart, relative to military movements on both sides in the Territory of New Mexico. I regard the probable advance of the Federal forces there as a movement decidedly to be desired by us, and that so soon as my force shall reach the field of action it must result in the destruction or capture of the enemy's forces. It is no doubt induced by the threatened attack of Lieutenant-Colonel Baylor on Fort Craig, made by my orders. Colonel Reily's regiment of my brigade is by this time some 250 miles en route. Colonel Green's broke camp yesterday, and my third regiment (Colonel Steele's) will follow very soon. Not an hour shall be lost in pushing forward the whole force. The delays heretofore encountered have been unavoidable. Messrs. Crosby and Hart are engaged under my authority in procuring supplies for my command, which I state here as explanatory of their letters.

I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Brigadier-General SIBLEY:

[Inclosures.]

H. H. SIBLEY, Brigadier-General, P. O. S. A.

HEADQUARTERS,

Doña Aña, Ariz., October 25, 1861.

SIR: The enemy, about 2,500 strong, are on the march for this placeeleven companies of U. S. regulars and thirteen companies of New Mexican volunteers. They have a battery of artillery. I shall be forced