Saml. Boyer Davis to Posr-OrFICE DEPARTMENT, C. S. A, November 16, 1861

November 16, 1861.

No. 9. j San Antonio, Tex., November 16, 1861. L The headquarters of this brigade will take up the line of march

for El Paso on Monday next, the 18th instant. : * * * * * * *

III. On the advance of headquarters, Col. William Steele, commanding Third Regiment, will assume the command in chief of all. troops “belonging to this brigade, remaining in or about this place, until he

shall rejoin headquarters. s ; IV. Colonel Steele will take up his line of march with his command

to réjoin headquarters at the earliest day praeticable. ‘By order of Brig. Gen. H. H. Sibley: in A. M. JACKSON,

Assistant Adjutant- General, Army of New Mexico.

HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DEPARTMENT OF TEXAS, Galveston, Tex., November 16, 1861.

W. H. WOODWARD, Esq., and others, Indianola, Tex. :

Sir: Your letter dated November 13, 1861, addressed to the command: ing general of the department, has been received, and in answer I

DI “OPERATIONS IN TEX., N.: MEX., AND ARIZ. [Cm XL – ;

am directed to state that the general commanding is fully aware of the position of Pass Cavallo and other passes on the coast in a like defenseless situation. The guns and material do not exist in the department to put the whole coast in a state of defense against a formidable attack. Everything that ean will be done with the means available.

There are no engineer officers in the department under the control of .

the general commanding. He appointed and sent Major Slum to Pass Cavallo especially to do the things the letter calls for—to do all that could be accomplished with the forces and guns at that point, and dispose of them to the best advantage. Major Slum has some experience’

as an engineer officer, and the general commanding had no idea that the appointment would be unacceptable. He has no competent officer to send there as engineer. Can the citizens signing that communication recommend a competent officer? Colonel Garland is instructed to visit Pass Cavallo, and report to headquarters if any favorable disposition of the forces under his command can be made in regard to its defenses. The general commanding would cheerfully visit Pass Cavallo in person, but it would only be to inform himself of matters which he already knows. z

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

Major, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

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Posr-OrFICE DEPARTMENT, C. S. A.,

Richmond, November 16, 1861.

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

DEAR SIR : I inclose herewith a communication from Col. William C.

Young, of Texas, to you, as requested by him; and, being advised of its — . 3