102 OPERATIONS IN TEX., N. MEX., AND ARIZ. (Char. XE to Executive Department, September 4, 1861

GENERAL ORDERS, ) HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF TEXAS,

September 4, 1861.

No. 17. San Antonio, Tex., September 4, 1861. By orders from the War Department the undersigned has been relieved in command of the Department of Texas, and is directed to report at the headquarters of the Army, at Richmond. He takes leave of the troops and of the people of Texas with unfeigned regret. From them he has, as military commander, received at all times their most hearty

Y CHAP. XI.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.—CONFEDERATE,

co-operation and assistance, and as a private citizen such uniform kindness and attention, that he would do injustiee to himself did he not here, on the eve of his departure from among them, express both his thanks for their kindness and his regret that he has to leave them.

The command, until the arrival of General Hébert, is turned over to Col. Henry E. McCulloch, than whom there is not a more reliable soldier and pure gentleman-in the Army of the Confederacy.

Brig. Gen. P. O. Hébert, to whom the command ultimately falls, was the most distinguished graduate of his class at West Point; afterwards an officer in the Engineer Corps (Corps de Genie); then the lieutenantcolonel of a regiment of infantry during the war between the United States and Mexico, and subsequently the governor of the State of Louisiana. He is an able general and a high-toned gentleman. The troops of Texas will find no cause to complain of the change of commanders.

The undersigned further returns his special thanks to the staff officers at these headquarters for their valuable assistance: Maj. Sackfield Maclin, chief quartermaster; Capt. T. A. Washington, assistant adjutant-general; Capt. J. F. Minter, assistant quartermaster and commissary; Surgeon Langworthy, and Lieutenant Haskell, ordnance officer. Their energy, skill, and devoted hard labor, in the discharge of their duties in their respective departments, relieved him from painful anxiety, and gave such harmony to the working of the affairs of the department, that there has been no confusion and no deficiency, except where material was wanting and where time and distance were incompatible. –

The command of the Department of Texas is here given up by the undersigned to Col. Henry E. McCulloch, and “he bids you farewell.”

EARL VAN DORN, Brigadà er- General, Provisional Army.

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, i Austin, Tex., September 7, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER, Secretary of War:

SIR: Immediately upon the receipt of your communication of the 7th ultimo, upon the subject of providing clothing for our soldiers, the accompanying addresses were issued to the people of Texas. I have no fear that our people will fail to comply promptly with this call upon their patriotism. Indeed, they had in many places anticipated the views and wishes of Government, and gone to work in the holy cause. The greatest difficulty apprehended is the adoption of a plan of operations which will render our contributions speedily available. I trust the one proposed will prove so.

Allow me to suggest that a large amount of wool can be purchased in Texas for Confederate bonds or notes, which could be converted into cloth at our penitentiary, capable of turning out 1,000 yards per day, and rapidly made into clothing in sections of the country contiguous to the penitentiary. This would, of course, require an agent or agents to purchase the wool and to provide for its manufacture into the articles desired. It would also be expected that the State be saved from loss on account of the appropriation of the time and labor of the penitentiary to the above purpose, unless for the support and success of our cause it becomés necessary for her to perform this service gratuitously.

Any suggestions which you can make to improve or expedite the plan proposed to accomplish the object desired will be gladly received.

be, very respectfull our obedient servant

I have the honor to be, very resp Y, y quu i D

T a

[Inclosures.]

Austin, Tex., August 31, 1861.

To the People of Texas: =

The war in which we are now engaged will in all probability be prolonged for many months to come, and our soldiers exposed to the rigors