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

posts northwest, west, and south of San Antonio, including the posts at Victoria and Saluria.

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By order of Brigadier General P.O. Hebert:

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

HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DEPARTMENT OF TEXAS, Galveston, Tex., December 3, 1861

Colonel H.E. McCULLOCH, Commanding First Reg't Texas Mounted Rifles:

SIR; I have been directed by the commanding general to furnish you with the following memorandum of troops to be called into service, if possible, for the defense of the Department of Texas, with their respective rendezvous.

First, Sabine Pass, one battalion, to consist of one company of artillery, one mounted, and three infantry companies; second, Galveston Island, Bolivar Point, and Virginia Point, not less than 4,000 men, to consist of eight companies mounted, one regiment of artillery, the balance infantry; third, at or near Harrisburg, 2,000 men, of which one regiment should be mounted; fourth, at Spring Creek, near Hempstead, 2,000; fifth, at Victoria, 2,000; sixth, on coast from San Louis to head of Matagorda Bay four mounted companies, six infantry; seventh, on Rio Grande, not less than 3,000, of which one regiment should be mounted; eighth, at Pass Cavallo, three companies; Aranzas, two or more companies.

The relative number rendezvous, or stations of these troops may be changed as circumstances may require, and will be provided for by the proper departments upon the above basis until further orders.

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

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

HDQRS. THIRD REG'T TEXAS INFANTRY, PROV. ARMY, Fort Brown, Tex., December 5, 1861.

Major SAMUEL BOYER DAVIS, Asst. Adjt. General , Dep't of Texas, Galveston, Tex.:

SIR: It is with great that I have to notify the commanding general of the lamentable condition of the forces at this post. There are but two companies of infantry here. One (Captain Parker's) is composed wholly of Mexicans, and like all their countrymen are susceptible to bribes and corruption, and cannot be depended upon. No less than 14 men from this company alone have deserted and passed over the river into Mexico, taking part in the difficulties now unhappily existing in Tamaulipas. The other company (Captain Buquor's) and Captain Marmion's artillery company are composed partly of Mexicans, but chiefly of foreigners, who are old soldiers and deserters from the old Federal Army. With few exceptions they are a class of men in whom no dependence whatever can be placed. A few dollars and a little whisky is quite sufficient to corrupt and entice them away. Five of these men (belonging to Captain Marmion's, artillery company) have