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

Rio Grande, arising from what he understands to be the present insufficiency of the garrison at Fort Brown for its protection. Colonel Luckett, at present at this place, who has been traversing the country, using his utmost endeavors to recruit for that service, finds them rendered abortive by the very numerous authorizations to raise troops, issued from the War Department at Richmond, for different periods of service, and, as conjectured, for more exciting fields of action. Under these circumstances, passing en route through Austin, Colonel Luckett has appealed to his excellency for that aid which he was well aware that, to the full extent of the ability off his excellency, the immense importance of the successful defense of Fort Brown would command from him.

Among the various means proposed for the accomplishment of this object, it has been suggested to his excellency, as the one most probably conducive to a satisfactory result, should you concur in its expediency, would be for the Confederate Government to decline t receive into its service any more troops from that portion of the State lying west of the Colorado River other than those joining Luckett's, Garland's, and Terrell's regiments, and such companies as shall be stationed in that district of country for its defense. His excellency is ever ready to place at the disposal of the Confederate Government all the resources of the State for the preservation of its soil from the polluting tread of a ruthless invader, and his ardent desire to witness the timeous concentration of an adequate force for the protection of the Lower Rio Grande, a region of country now of vital interest, has induced him to communicate to you the views that have been submitted to him.

Should you, general, deem these suggestions inexpedient, I am directed by his excellency to inquire whether, in carrying out your matured plans for the defense of Fort Brown, his co-operation can be rendered available to the furtherance of their success.

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

J.Y. DASHIELL, Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS SIBLEY BRIGADE, San Antonio, Tex., November 16,1861.

General S.COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector-General, C.S.Army:

GENERAL: I have the honor to report that on Monday next, the 18th instant, I shall move with my headquarters to assume in person the command of our forces in the Territory of Arizona, and to conduct the military operations there and in New Mexico.

Before proceeding on this distant field of duty it appears proper that I should briefly communicate to you such facts concerning my official transactions here and touching the present condition of my forces as may be necessary for the information of your office. On my arrival here, about the middle of August last, I confidently expected to be able to raise and organize my brigade within a very brief space of time, and to have been enabled by this date to have it actively employed in the accomplishment of the objects for which it was raised. Many unexpected circumstances, however, have occurred to defeat this expectation. In the first place, I was disappointed in not receiving from the executive of this State as efficient a co-operation as was desirable. This arose from no want of disposition or zeal on the part of Governor Clark to render every facility in his power for the rapid organization of the force called for. It was the consequence simply of the very ineffi-