CHAP.XI.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-CONFEDERATE.

part of the enemy to surprise your post, with a view of destroying the guns now on their way to this place. On yesterday morning, between the hours of 2 and 3 o'clock, they were successful in surprising and capturing the crew of the schooner Royal Yacht, then in Bolivar Channel.

Special Orders, No.105, instructs you to make a daily report to this office of all information obtained through your scouts or otherwise, the dispatches being carried by your scouts to the point where they will meet the scouts from Bolivar Point. You will indorse on the envelope: "To be forwarded instantly on its receipt, day or night," and be particular in your instructions to the bearer of dispatches, in case your information should be of moment to the commanding general. Your scouting parties should be of sufficient strength to scout during the whole night, and be strung along the beach from Sabine to the point where you will meet the scouts from this end.

You will inform this office of your success in filing your battalion, and state how many companies you have now mustered into the service, and the progress of those in process of formation.

I inclose a paragraph from one of our papers, containing the particulars of the surprise on board the Yacht.

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

SAML. BOYER DAVIS, Major and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS, La Mesilla, Ariz., November 10,1861.

Colonel H. E. McCULLOCH, Commanding Dep't of Texas, San Antonio, Tex.:

SIR: I have nothing new to report as to the movements of the enemy. My spies report that there are sixteen companies at Fort Craig and three within 30 miles of the fort, and that every effort is being made to enlist the Mexicans, who are much divided on the subject of making war upon Texans or of taking any part in the war at all. There exists, too, disaffection among the regular troops, who have not been paid, many of them for one year and a half. There is a large train at Craig and quantities of supplies are being hauled there. All this would indicate that the enemy intend to make a move of some sort. I shall have them watched closely, and, should they come down, I have my supplies at Bliss, and transportation ready to move it down to Quitman or Davis, if necessary. I shall, with my mounted force, push for Santa Fe, and hold the country until the arrival of General Sibley.

A party of citizens from California, who have joined my forces, report great excitement in Southern California. They know of no troops marching for Arizona, but say that Fort Yuma is being strongly re-enforced. I am convinced that a strong force stationed in Western Arizona would enable us to get hundreds of good Southern men, well armed and mounted, who are anxious to join our cause, and this would enable us to watch Sonora, and prevent United States troops from crossing that State, and, what is of importance, open communication with Guaymas and other ports on the Pacific, where we must, of necessity, get most of our supplies.

I will keep you advised of all matters here, and act as circumstances may direct.

I have the honor to be, respectfully,

JOHN R. BAYLOR, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Texas Mounted Rifles, P.A.C.S.