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

federate Government will no doubt pay all reasonable obligations in curred for the service and protection of the State.

You will take immediate steps to fill your regiment according to the above conditions, and are hereby authorized to appoint a competent mustering officer. Companies must be mustered for the war. You are requested to recommend suitable persons for the positions of lieutenant-colonel and major. You will make your reports in duplicate, addressing them to Galveston and San Antonio.

Major C.G. Forshey is assigned to engineer duty on the coast with your command. The object of your command is to afford such protection as can be given to that portion of the coast. You will therefore use your own judgment, as events may occur, in stationing your companies.

By command of Brigadier General P.O. Hebert:

GEO. R. WILSON, Aide-de-Camp.

Colonel J.BATES, Brazoria, Tex.

MILITARY DEPARTMENT OF TEXAS, Galveston, September 27,1861.

The HonorableSECRETARY OF WAR, Richmond, Va.:

SIR: I have the honor to report that since my arrival in this department I have, in compliance with orders, directed my attention to the Gulf coast of Texas. I regret to say that I find this coast in almost a defenseless state, and in the almost total want of proper works and armaments; the task of defending successfully any point against an attack of any magnitude amounts to a military impossibility. The port of Galveston is partially defended by a few open sand works, mounted with guns of calibers ranging from 18-pounders to 32-pounders, and of course totally inadequate to resist a bombardment with heavy guns. The few large guns now on the way, should they not arrive too late, will in some measure increase the efficiency of the harbor defenses. On a coast like this, however, where in calm weather a landing can be effected at any point, and the bays in the rear and flank of Galveston Island ached in that manner or by the pass at the west end, the problem of defense, considering the means available to that effect, is certainly one of very difficult, if not impossible, solution.

I am sorry to add that I also found this department entirely destitute of funds, either of State or General Government, and that, in consequence, all my efforts have thus far been completely paralyzed. I am in hopes that funds or credit will soon be in the hands of the proper disbursing officers. As matters now stand it is a difficult matter to purchase supplies on credit for the support of the few volunteer troops now in service. I meet with thee best disposition to aid in any manner both from the people and authorities of the State, but the people are poor, and the State without money or apparent credit. Men are ready to volunteer for defense in companies and regiments; but arms, ammunition, provisions, and equipments are wanting.

Not to make too long the list of wants and difficulties, of which the Department at headquarters is probably already but too well aware, I have, in conclusion, the honor to assure the honorable Secretary of War that, although the difficulties surrounding my command now seem almost insurmountable, I will do all in my power to overcome them. In view of the distance of this department from General Headquarters, the