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

I wrote to you by the last mail, informing you of the acceptance of the four cavalry regiments offered you by the Secretary of War, and desiring to know whether you still wished the two you had accepted. On the same day I dispatched a messenger, with the intelligence of their acceptance by the Secretary of War, to these regiments, and that I had communicated with you and him. This leaves them in doubt as to the ultimate result of their present condition, and for this reason I would be pleased to hear as early as your convenience will permit.

I see that you are energetically at work for the defense of our coast. I am pleased to be able to say that several brigades of militia are ready for service, if needed, and will be placed at your command if you need them.

I am gratified at the news from the seat of war. I sincerely trust it may prove true.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

EDWARD CLARK.

GOLIAD, TEX., October 12, 1861.

To the HonorableSECRETARY OF WAR, Richmond:

SIR: Having been at Brownsville, on the Rio Grande, for several weeks, on a mission of importance for the State of Texas, I take the liberty of inclosing a memorandum of my observations while there, with the hope that it may serve in attracting the attention of the Government to the importance of that point. As the only brother of the late General B.E.Bee, my name will not be unknown to you, and I can with pleasure refer you to Colonel Wigfall, Colonel Waul, and Judge Hemphill as to the great interest I have at stake, both politically and personally, in the success of our cause.

With great respect,

HAMILTON P.BEE.

[Inclosure.]

Brownsville is 30 miles from the Gulf; Brazos Island is its port; depth of water 6 feet. The mouth of the Rio Grande has still less water on its bar.

Fort Brown was built by General Taylor for attack on Matamoras, and is of but little use for defense of Brownsville, as an enemy could without difficulty take possession of it without coming under fire from the fort, whose guns could destroy it in an hour. The fort has been repaired by Colonel Ford and is unfinished, but could in a short time be made as strong as earthworks generally are. There are twenty-five pieces of cannon of different caliber there, including a light battery, complete, with its caissons loaded, barness in good order, and ready for service in thirty minutes. The battery horses are poor and unserviceable, but in improving condition. About 300 rounds of ammunition for each piece, of the best description, and a good supply of ammunition. Lead can be bought in any quantity at 4 1/2 cents per pound. There are now at Fort Brown four companies of cavalry [Texans], say 400 men in all.

Brownsville is the depot of the Mexican trade. In 1860 $12,000,000 in specie passed through the custom-house en route for the United States. The imports of goods, principally dry goods, is proportionally heavy. All that trade is now suspended. No direct shipments have arrived at Matamoras from foreign ports. Two vessels arrived there from New York while I was on the Rio Grande, both loaded with provision and