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

12-pounders and one 6-pounder, turned over by the citizens or military board of Indianola. This constitutes our defense. Suppose an invasion be attempted through this point. Those men, with their armaments, would fall an easy prey to the enemy, and before assistance could reach them from Victoria the enemy would be prepared to meet us with our own guns. Captain 'Pearson's company, from Matagorda, and Captain Phillips', from Lavaca, should have been ordered to the Pass, instead of farther back into the country. You are aware, from personal experience, of the uncertainty of transportation from Indianola, or Lavaca, or Matagorda to the Pass, depending, as it does, upon the wind and tide. It is clear to my mind that the post should be strengthened or abandoned. Captain Beaumont's company of cavalry, it was thought, was to be stationed on the island, and many joined from here with that belief. It seems to me that they could do much good as scouts on the island below the fort. They could cut off detachments if the enemy attempted a landing, and give information if they made their appearance below. They do no good stationed at Victoria. I do not know whose duty it is to see to the military condition of this particular section of the coast, but I assure you there is immense responsibility resting somewhere. No officer or engineer, with authority to control or direct the military defenses of this bay, has ever been ordered here. Captain Shea, who does not profess to be an engineer, was ordered to select a place at or near the Pass, and to put his guns in. This he has done, and done well, no doubt, and he and Captain Reuss, with their companies, will die defending them; but he has no authority to increase his force or abandon the post.

These suggestions are hastily summed up to call your attention to the facts, that you may see the importance of action in the premises. If we are in danger, immediate action alone can save us.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

D.M. STAPP, Brigadier-General, Texas Militia.

GALVESTON, TEX., October 31,1861.

Hon.J.P. BENJAMIN, Richmond,Va.:

MY DEAR SIR: I had the honor a few days since of addressing an official communication to the War Department, stating as my opinion that an army of some 15,000 men would be necessary to resist an invasion of this State and to protect its frontiers, and to ask for authority to call out that number of volunteers. From my intercourse and correspondence with the authorities and people of this State, I know that they look for protection at the hands of the Confederate Government, and expect me, its representative, to act in the matter. It is a difficult task under the circumstances. All I can do is to call out volunteers, and place in their hands such weapons as can be found in the country. Of lead, powder, and caps the supply is almost nothing at all they have. Arrangements have been, by my direction, made with firms here to procure munitions of war from Mexico, giving cotton in exchange, and with some hopes of success.

To tell you how totally unprepared, confused, and defenseless I found this department, and to describe fully the difficulties under which I have labored, and to still, from lack of means, guns, arms, ammunition, and a proper military organization, would be tedious, and employ too