DANA, Assistant Secretary of War to William H. Seward, October 21, 1864

Mr. Dana to Mr. Seward

Sir: In reference to your communication of August 29, 1864, transmitting a complaint from Mr. Geofroy, chargé d’affaires of France, to the effect that citizens of loyal States have enlisted in the service of Cortinas, and that arms and ammunition have been furnished to the Mexicans, I am directed by the Secretary of War to respectfully call your attention to the report of Major General Herron, commanding United States forces on the Rio Grande, transmitted to this department by Major General E. R. S. Canby, commanding division of west Mississippi, and a copy of which is herewith enclosed.

From this report it will appear that the statements referred to by Geofroy are entirely unfounded.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,

General Herron to Lieutenant Colonel Christensen

Colonel: The letter of Hon. W. H. Seward, Secretary of State, to Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War, under date of August 29, 1864, covering translation of a communication received at Washington by the representative of the Emperor of the French, in regard to certain occurrences said to have taken place on the Rio Grande, and which has been referred to me for report, has been received. There is nothing specific in the charges or statements made upon which to make a detailed report.

With reference to the great number of federals said to have crossed to Matamoras after the evacuation of Brownsville, I would state that there were not six citizens of the United States left in Brownsville when I withdrew the troops from that place. I had sent all persons, men, women, and children, to New Orleans. Some few Mexicans, who had been living on the east side of the Rio Grande, may probably have crossed into Mexico, but I know the number must have been small, for I had previously shipped a great majority of even the Mexicans to New Orleans; I mean such as resided on our side of the river. I have been constantly in receipt of advices from Matamoras since the evacuation of Brownsville, and had such occurrences as the above taken place I would certainly have heard something of it.

With reference to the arms and ammunition said to have gone into Mexico from American territory, I would undertake to say, in the most positive manner, that nothing of the kind took place from January 1, 1864, to August 1, 1864, the period of my administration on the Rio Grande; nor did anything occur that would warrant even a rumor of such a thing.

It seems to me that when such charges are made, involving, as they do, the reputation of officers of the United States army, some kind of proof should accompany the charges; but these statements being so general I can do nothing more than make a mere denial of the whole.

There is neither truth in the report nor ground for it.

I am, with great respect, your obedient servant,