Charles Russell to Edmund P. Turner, August 21, 1863

Capt. EDMUND P. TURNER, Assistant Adjutant-General :

CAPTAIN: I have received nothing from your office since my arrival at Brownsville, and consequently nothing to reply to. Since my last, I have the honor to state that I have cotton sufficient to meet the obligations of the Government, under our contracts for the cargoes of the Gladiator and Sea Queen, which will be forwarded to Alleyton as soon as landed. I am promised that they shall positively be crossed tomorrow, but it is hard to determine on account of private difficulties between the parties. They all, however, acquit the Government, and will give a written statement of a prompt and faithful compliance on our part.

I have forwarded some 60 carts this past week with stores for Alleyton, among which are some 20,000 pounds of powder, and will purchase everything that I can, and send forward as rapidly as possible. I will here state that, in consideration of the great uncertainty and delay in getting cotton here, and to prevent our being hereafter similarly situated to our present condition, I make all my purchases payable in cotton delivered at San Antonio or Alleyton. I tind no difficulty now in buying on these terms at prices as low as if we delivered the cotton at Brownsville. Iam gratified to say confidence is restored, and no feeling exists on either bank of the river.

I also inclose several communications [received] from Captain Da Ponte in regard to arms on Caroline Goodyear. Mr. Maloney received yesterday letters from Vera Cruz, and informs me these arms will come, beyond doubt. I have made all necessary arrangements to pay for 900 Enfield rifles daily expected from Havana, and if they escape capture, for which I have used every precaution, I will have them here a few hours after landing.

I write in haste, and will write more fully next express.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,