AUGUR, Brigadier-General Commanding to (Forwarded to headquarters of the Army by Lieutenant-General Sheridan.) indorsement. Headquarters of the Army , Saint Louis , April 2, 1875 . Respectfully forwarded to the, March 30, 1875

General Augur to Lieutenant-General Sheridan.

Lieutenant-General Sheridan, Commanding Military Division of the Missouri, Chicago, Ill.:

The following telegram has been received from Colonel Potter, at Brownsville,

“March 29, 1875.

“Brigadier-General C. C. Augur, “Commanding Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, La.:

“There are many reports of a raid on the ranches in the vicinity of Corpus Christi, and of a threatened attack on Corpus Christi. Some ranches have doubtlees been robbed and burned, some people killed and some taken prisoners. The prisoners are reported to have escaped. These marauders have been driven from the vicinity of Corpus by the citizens, and at last accounts were retreating, with the citizens in pursuit. I have sent all my mounted force to intercept the robbers. General Hatch has sent troops for same purpose.

“Many depredations have been committed along the river above this point of late, and several persons have been killed. I believe these robbers are Mexicans and that the most of them are from the other side of the river.

“There are probably several parties out for stealing cattle and robbing ranches. No reliable information as to numbers; will inform you if I learn anything more definite.

“J. H. POTTER, “Colonel Twenty-fourth Infantry, Commanding.”

The above telegram came in response to one from me desiring to know if the telegrams in the paper referring to this invasion were true. There appears to be sufficient truth in them to show this to be the most serious raid made by the Mexicans into our territory for many years.

You know as well as I that the Mexican federal government has no control of affairs in the Rio Grande frontier, and is powerless, if so disposed, to restrain these raiders, some of whom are doubtless most of the time residents on our side of the river, and in case of arrest could easily prove themselves to be good and quiet American citizens, and could; cause the officers arresting them to be in turn arrested by the civil authorities for false imprisonment, as is frequently done.

It is not necessary, however, to say anything about the condition of the frontiers to you who have been so long familiar with it.

Colonel Potter has one company of cavalry; Colonel Hatch has five, and were it not that the residents on this side are mostly Mexicans, and in sympathy with the raiders and keep them informed of the whereabouts of the troops, they might accomplish something. They may do as it is, though it will be under great difficulties.