* John R. Baylor to P. O. Hebert, C. S. A, December 2, 1861
Brigadier-General HÃBERT, Commanding Department of Texas, San Antonio, Tex. :
SIR: I have the honor to inform you that my spies have returned from the immediate vicinity of Fort Craig, and report the enemy fortifying that place strongly, and also extending their camps and fortifications . down the river as far as Alamosa, 30 miles below the fort. General Sibley’s troops have not arrived yet, but I learn are within a short
-distance of Fort Bliss. I shall continue to watch the movements of the enemy until the arrival of General Sibley, when he will have command and act as he thinks proper.
I have no fears now of an invasion from above, and am happy to state that my regiment is in fine health and ready for any service demanded of them. The small-pox has abated, and will, I hope, entirely disappear in a few days more. I regret to report the loss of several men by that disease. Since putting my men in, quarters the health of the command has greatly improved.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Lieutenant- Colonel, Commanding.
GALVESTON, TEX., December 2, 1861. –
General P. O. HEBERT, C. S. A.:
best information in my power touching the means of defense of the
mouth of the Trinity River.
There are three passes in the Trinity River; two of them will not