Earl Van Dorn to P. O. HÉBERT, New Orleans, La, August 1, 1861

August 1, 1861.

` Richmond, August 1, 1861. Brig. Gen. BEN. MCCULLOCH: 3

SIR: I am directed by the Secretary of War to invite your attention to the following suggestions contained in a letter wxitten to the President by Chief Justice M. H. MeWillie, La Mesilla,’ Ariz., and dated, 30th of June, 1861, to wit:

Lincoln has recently ordered the organization in New Mexico of at least two full regiments of mounted volunteers, chiefly for service in Arizona and on the Texas frontier. Oue of the officers, as I am informed, is none other than the infamous Salazer, of the Santa Fé prisoners notoriety in 1839. “These regiments, under the command of Fred. P. Stanton, of Kansas, are to be in readiness by the 1st of August. There will be about 2,000 United States regulars. As nearly as I can learn, it is intended to concentrate all the regular forces and one regiment of volunteers at Fort Fillmore, 18 miles from the Texas border, early in the same month. As soon as the volunteers are ready the two regiments United States infantry will leave this department for the States. Two regiments of rifles and dragoons will remain. The infantry, before leaving, will concentrate near Santa Fé, then take up the line of march by way of the Independence road to Fort Leavenworth. A convoy with $250,000 recently left the last-named post destined for this depot, to pay off the troops before they leave.

Now, might it not be well, secretly of course and at an early moment, to fit out an expedition to New Mexico, under command of General McCulloch, by way of the Canadian, before Lincoln’s troops are put in motion for the States? The stores, supplies, and munitions of war within New Mexico and Arizona are immense, and I am decidedly of opinion that the game is well worth the ammunition. This movement, if undertaken soon enough, would undoubtedly have the effect to overawe and intimidate the Mexican element, which comprises at least nineteen-twentieths of our entire population.

It is furthermore my impression it is intended to make a descent upon Fort Bliss, in Texas, less than 50 miles distant, garrisoned by 160 infantry, Captain Teel’s company artillery, and two companies Texas cavalry. The expedition, I suggest, would relieve Texas, open communication to the Pacific, and break the line of operations, which, with Lane and Montgomery in Kansas, Stanton in our Territory, Corwine in Mexico, the blockade of our ports and complete possession of our northern frontier is designed to circumvallate the South. One regiment of Cherokees or Choctaws, well mounted, would inspire more wholesome terror in the Mexican population than an

army of Americans. Such an expedition would prove a strategic movement of importance to the South.

These interests are communicated for your information. Respectfully, A. T. BLEDSOE, . Chief of Bureau of War. z SAN ANTONIO, TEX., August 10, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER, Secretary of War, Richmond, Va. :

SIR : I have the honor to report that I have called upon the governor of Texas for ten companies of infantry, to be stationed at Galveston, for the defense of that island and city, and that I have appointed, subject to the approval of the President, the following field officers: Capt. J. C. Moore, C. S. Army, colonel; Mr. J. T. Ward, lieutenant-colonel ; Maj. X. B. Debray, major. Colonel Moore is now in command of the defenses of Galveston and captain in the Army. Mr. J. T. Ward has been connected with the U. S. Army for six or eight years, and is well qualified for the position I have assigned him. Major Debray will hand you this letter, and you may judge for yourself of his qualifications. I hope you will be pleased to approve of these appointments, as well as of my calling upon the governor for the regiment. Iam soisolated from the headquarters of the Army that I am compelled to act a little independent of the usual authorities, and to assume responsibilities not given me by the Regulations of the Army.

I expect in a day or two to receive a reply to my dispatch sentto you by Mr. Sweet, of this city. IfI do not, I shall call upon the governor for ten more companies, to be stationed at Fort Brown. The troops now there will not muster into the service of the Confederate States for the war, and I will be compelled to replace them by others who will. It is advisable, without doubt, to have at least a regiment there. I respectfully recommend the following gentlemen to the command as field officers: Col. P. N. Luckett, now quartermaster-general of this State, appointed by the Convention, and a “West Pointer,” as colonel; for lieutenant-colonel, A. Buchel, of Indianola, formerly of the army in Mexico; served under General Davis at Buena Vista; as major, E. F. Gray, formerly of the Navy, of Houston. These gentlemen I shall appoint subject to your approval.

It will be gratifying to you to learn of the complete success of Colonel Baylor’s expedition against the U. S. troops in New Mexico; 700 prisoners of war were taken, with their arms, &c. Ihave not as yet received the official report, but have some of the facts from eye-witnesses of the surrender.

I hear from headquarters but seldom, and am inclined to believe that my letters are intercepted. The governor of the State has received important dispatches from you in regard to the raising of troops for the

“Confederate service. I have received nothing.

An interchange of several shots between our batteries and the blockading vessels took place at Galveston the other day. One man, a citizen, was killed by a shell from the South Carolina. -The vessels were driven off.

Very respectfully, sir, I am, your obedient servant,

DBrigadier- General, Commanding.

RICHMOND, August 14, 1861.

General P. O. HÉBERT, New Orleans, La. :

You are appointed a brigadier-general in the Provisional Army, and

assigned to the Department of Texas. Your attention is specially directed to the coast defenses of Texas. General Van Dorn has been

ordered here for duty. You will proceed at once to Galveston, where

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