; P. O. Hebert to SPECIAL ORDERS, t HDQRs. MILITARY DEPT OF TEXAS, November 15, 1861

Galveston, November 15, 1861.

Hon. J. P. BENJAMIN, Secretary of War, Richmond, Va.:

SrR: I have the honor to report that under the apprehension of an invasion by the enemy at any time, and owing to the great distance of this department from General Headquarters, I have taken the responsibility of calling into service troops for the defense of the State. I have experienced great difficulty in regard to arms and ammunition, although the troops now in service form hardly one-half of the number I think necessary to act simply on the defensive. Men also, I am sorry to say, are now more difficult to get, especially for the war. There are now over 5,000 troops in service.

I have taken the liberty, it being a matter of absolute necessity, of appointing, subject to the approval of the President, the field officers

to the regiments mustered into service and such staff officers as were necessary. I was also compelled to give temporary appointments to

persons to. secure their services on engineer and special duty, all of which is, of course, subject to the approval or disapproval of the President; the commissons subject to being canceled at any time, and troops disbanded by his order. I have the honor to inclose a list of officers appointed as above for the approval of the President.

Commander W. W. Hunter, C. S. Navy, ordered to report to the general commanding this department, I assigned to the immediate command of the naval defenses, such as they are, of the port and bay of Galveston. Upon his application and representation of an urgent necessity, I authorized him to employ such boats, propelled by steam or otherwise, as the service in his judgment rendered necessary. lam aware that the chartering of boats for this kind of service is rather expensive, but when it is considered that this city is on an island, connected with the mainland by only one railroad bridge, and that it is subject to a disaster similar to that of Fort Hatteras, it seems that prudence would dictate that all proper precautions should be taken to get the troops off in the event of a necessity of abandoning or being driven from the island. There isno doubt but that the defense of Galveston, or any other point on this coast, in the event of a formidable attack, is a very

difficult if not an impossible matter; yet an effort must be made in that

direction, and this place held as long as possible. It is a cotton port,

and if in the possession of the enemy would be a nucleus. for the disaffected, of which there are, I am sorry to say, many in this State.

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140 ` OPERATIONS IN TEX., N. MEX., AND ARIZ, iCmar.Xl

Some time since, being without means whatever, there being nonein ` the departinent, I was compelled to apply to the citizens for an advance — — of money to commence certain field works and for purposes of absolute and immediate necessity-to the service. This sum ($5,000) I shall direct

‘the chief quartermaster to refund, and charge to the fortifications of Galveston. The proper vouchers will be forwarded to General Headquarters. Sis jiu

As a matter of necessity connected with the defense and possession of the island, I have directed the planking of the railroad bridge eonnecting with the mainland, so as to admit of the passage of troops.

The heavy guns, so long on the way, have not yet reached this place. Ll have directed every exertion to be made to forward them to their destination. i

I respectfully submit to the consideration of thé Department and of the President the expediency of giving me one or two general officers — in this department. My presence at the headquarters of the department, where, owing to the numerous posts in the command, business accumulates very rapidly and continually, is a matter of necessity; yet my duties have been so pressing and important on the coast, that Ihave ~ not yet been able to find the time or opportunity to repair to San An- ^ – tonio. A general officer I would assign, and the command fully justifies it, to the command of the troops on or near the sea-coast and another on the Rio Grande frontier, so soon as forces can be organized and sent to that part of the State. `

J have the honor to transmit, for the information of the Department, copies of communications addressed by Lieutenant-Colonel Baylor, in command in Arizona, to Colonel McCulloch, copies of which I have also transmitted to Brigadier General Sibley, at San Antonio.*

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

; P. O. HEBERT,

Brigadier-General, Prov. Army, Comdg. Dep’t of Texas.

SPECIAL ORDERS, t HDQRs. MILITARY DEPT OF TEXAS,

No. 143. j Galveston, Tex., November 15, 1861.

Isaac N. Dennis, esq., volunteer aide to the commanding general of the `

department, will proceed without delay into the interior of this State, for

the purpose of inducing the planters and citizens generally to assist in

the erection of fortifications for the defense of the coast, in loaning their –