Jno. Withers to P. O. Hébert, 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

7 R R—VOL IV your orders will follow you, and communicate to General Van Dorn the order for him to report here for duty. The mails are so irregular that – ` its transmission in that way would probably delay it. oes

SPECIAL ORDERS, ADJT. AND Insp. GEN/S OFFICE, No. 123. Richmond, Va., August 14, 1861.

I. Commander W. W. Hunter, C. S. Navy, will proceed to Galveston and report to General Earl Van Dorn for duty as superintendent in charge of the works for the defense of the coast of Texas.

XVII. Gen. Earl Van Dorn will turn over the command of the Department of Texas to the officer next in rank in the State, and will repair immediately to this city and report to the Adjutant-General.

XVIII. The command of the Department of Texas is assigned to repair to San Antonio, Tex., and assume the command.

By command of the Secretary of War: