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

late, too, to send men to Missouri; and, for this reason and the probable necessity that comes upon us for our volunteers at home, I would be greatly gratified if you would accept this regiment, and request, if consistent with your opinions of duty and propriety, that you do so. In addition to the impracticability of their now going to Missouri, I will state that they have been some time organized, and equipped themselves at considerable expense. Many of them have abandoned their employment to engage in their country's service, and, if disappointed or disbanded, the consequences would be ruinous to them. Colonel Young's regiment, as also that of Colonel Sims, I feel satisfied, from advices received, have been started to Missouri. While I do not wish to embarrass you, and by no means to control your operations, I sincerely desire and request that you have this regiment immediately put to service in Texas, if you can.

The impression has obtained, I find, that you have authorized the enlistment of men for six months. Within the last few days I have been repeatedly asked if such is the case. If you have done so, I suppose it results from your opinion of the necessities of our coast country. It is, however, having a bad effect upon my efforts to raise the required forces for Fort Brown and other points. Our people, though willing to serve as long as needed, desire the shortest term that can be obtained; and hence will not volunteer for the war while there is a chance to enlist for six or twelve months. You will not understand me as chance to enlist for six or twelve months. You will not understand me as complaining of this course, for, if you have authorized it, I doubt not you have good reasons for it.

It is reported here that there is an intention of withdrawing the regiment of Colonel McCulloch from its position upon the frontier. While I attach very little consequence to this impression, I feel called upon, in justice to our frontier citizens, to request that it may not be done. I feel apprehensive that we may in the future have more trouble from Indians than we have had for several months, and I should therefore feel very unwilling to see this regiment taken away. It has been upon that line of frontier for nearly one year, and is, or should be, better suited for its protection than any new forces that could be placed there. I trust that the opinion of your intention to withdraw it is incorrect, and that that border may not be deprived of its presence and protection.

I trust that you have by this time received the cannon expected from Richmond, and that they are, or will soon be, ready for service. Should you be attacked at Galveston, which I hope will not be the case, I greatly desire to have it in my power to be present.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, &c.,

EDWARD CLARK.

MILITARY DEPARTMENT OF TEXAS, Galveston, Tex., October 24, 1861.

HonorableJ.P. BENJAMIN, Secretary of War, Richmond, Va.:

SIR: My duties have been of so pressing a nature at this post and on the Gulf coast that I have not as yet been able to repair to San Antonio, the headquarters of the department.

In a former communication I had the honor to advise the Department of the difficulties under which I labored, for want of funds, guns, and ammunition, in endeavoring to place this post and other points on the seaboard in a respectable state of defense. The guns available are limited in number and of inferior caliber to those likely to be brought against us by the enemy. The few heavy guns ordered from Richmond