OPERATIONS IN TEX., N. MEX., AND ARIZ. [CHAP. XI.

Orders for the supply of arms, ammunition, camp and garrison equipage, clothing, transportation to the points of embarkment, and quartermaster and commissary stores, are to be issued to the proper officers in Texas. Such as cannot be there supplied will be provided at this place or at such other point as may be deemed important.

The organization of a company of infantry is, one captain, one first and two second lieutenants, four sergeants, four corporals, two musicians, and not more than 100 nor less than 64 privates. The field and staff officers are to be appointed by the President, after the companies shall have been embodied into regiments, on their arrival at the point designated by him.

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

S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector-General.

RICHMOND, June 12, 1861.

His Excellency JEFFERSON DAVIS, President Confederate States:

SIR: In accordance with your direction I have the honor to submit the following memoir for defense of the coast of Texas: For the mouth of the Sabine River, two 24-pounders and one company. For Galveston Island, four or five 8-inch columbiads, in addition to their present supply, and, relying upon the volunteers of the city, three companies would suffice. I would, however, recommend five if they could be granted. At the mouth of the Brazos River, one 24-pounder siege carriage and one company. At Pass Cavallo, three 32-pounders and two companies. At Arkansas, two 24-pounders and one company.

At Sabine the town amounts to very little, but a railroad runs up the river connecting with the road from Houston to New Orleans. Sabine and Houston are now connected by rail. A battery on Texas Point, at the mouth of the river, would keep off anything that could enter unresisted and resist a boat landing successfully, as, except on the Texas Point, the ground is so soft no landing on the flanks of a battery could be made. A small party once established at Sabine City could break up all the railroad communication from Houston to New Orleans (now not complete, but expected to be soon finished).

At Galveston an enemy could have no object in coming into the harbor as a means of injury to the town. He could lay off the Gulf beach in gunboats, shell and burn the city, unless kept at a distance by heavy guns, or might use the roadstead inside the bar for a harbor of refuge unless driven away. The number of guns proposed, with what I suppose are already in Galveston, will suffice. I would suggest that a part of the force at Galveston should be mounted.

The Brazos River is 42 miles from Galveston; is connected by canal with Galveston Bay. A large quantity of cotton and sugar is transported by that route. One 24-pounder siege carriage is all I think necessary.

Pass Cavallo, entrance to Matagorda Bay, from whence the principal roads to Austin and San Antonio start, seven to ten feet on the bar. Three 32-pounders, one on Decrow's Point and two at the light-house, will do well.

Aranzas.-The bar has seven to ten feet water. From the mainland a good road to San Antonio and Western Texas via Goliad.

Brazos Santiago, I understand from Major Marshall, is already provided for.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. H. STEVENS, Captain Engineers, C. S. Army.