X. B. Debray to T. A. Washington, July 27, 1861

Capt. T. A. Washington, Asst. Adjt. Gen., San Antonio, Tex. :

SIR: I have the honor to inclose to you a copy of a communication = received to-day from the War Department, by the governor of the State, who wishes it to be brought to the knowledge of General Van Dorn.* — The call is not explicit as to the nature of the arm required by the President. Considering the slowness of the mails between Texas and Rich- ee mond, the governor cannot refer the matter to the War Department, x and wishes to receive on the subject the opinion of the general who – may have received fullerinstructions. Cavalry could be raised at once; it will be more difficult to raise infantry. Will one or two companies of artillery be received? r Em

Do the words ” These camps will be under the control of this depart- E ment? mean that the troops are to be supplied and paid by the Confed- — — erate States? In view of the condition of our public treasury, the – State could not bear such a burden for any length of time. =

The Secretary of War leaves to the governor the selection of two 3 camp grounds for the concentration of the companies. His excellency, feeling the necessity of a harmonious aetion between the civil and military authorities in Texas, and considering that the general is the best judge as to the accessibility of the places and their relative advantages under the strategic point of view, desires to receive his suggestions on the subject. :

I have also the honor to inclose to you a copy of Special Orders, No. – 18, from this department, relative to the organization of a force. under the authority of the State of Texas, to be kept in readiness to meet any _ emergencies on the frontiers of Missouri and Arkansas. These orders have been communicated to nobody except the officers concerned in the organization. The governor believes that they ought to be kept secret

* Reference is to requisition of June 30, 1861, upon the several governors, the call upon Texas being for 2,000 men, See Vol. I, Series IV, pp. 260, Cm.XL] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.—CONFEDERATE.

as long as possible to avoid giving too early information to the enemy.

These troops have been organized in such a manner as to come within the provisions of the act of Congress of March 6, 1861, * For public de-

. fense,” except the brigadier-generals, who could not preserve their commissions under the authorities of the Confederate States.

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