Robert H. Chilton to P. O. Hebert, September 25, 1861

General P. O. HEBERT:

SIR: I have the pleasure of acknowledging the visit of the Hon. Mr.

Bryan, and of receiving at his hands your communication of the 20th —

The substance of your letter is a repetition of the request contained in your communication of the 16th instant, in reply to which I fully aecorded the authority desired, asking only that when companies were accepted we might be advised of it.

I believe I have anticipated your views and wishes, as made known ©

to me by Mr. Bryan, in almost every instance, and to the extent of my power. It will be my pleasure and aim to do so in the future. ;

T RCM Ten T

x A E faz E . By a special messenger, dispatched to you yesterday, you will learn . that I have some 4,000 troops now ready for service, and offered for . your acceptance. These men, for the term of their enlistment, are willing to go where ordered. They are mounted troops. Willnot some two _ or three regiments of mounted men be needed on our coast? They are . as fine troops and as well mounted and armed as any that can be pro_ cured in the State. I earnestly desire that you receive them. If, how- . ever, you esteem it essential to raise a regiment in the vicinity of the . coast for service near Brazoria (as Mr. Bryan tells me has been pro- — posed), you have my consent. As Ihave heretofore said, you may rely – upon my ready co-operation in anything necessary for the defense of . Texas or the Confederacy.

_ Ifit be possible, I would be pleased, indeed, to see you at Austin. If . my presence was not at all times required here, I would not impose . upon you the necessity of a visit to this city.

_ You will please excuse my brevity and seeming familiarity, as I am: – much pressed with business, and without my private secretary. `

very respectfully, your obedient servant, &c., $ – Richmond, September 25, 1861.