OPERATIONS IN TEX., N. MEX., AND ARIZ. [CHAP.XI.
[Inclosure.]
List of ammunition on hand at Fort Washington, Pass Cavallo, Tex., December 5, 1861.
Fifty-four rounds spherical case shot, for 24-pounder; 24-rounds shell, for 24-pounder; 156 rounds round shot, for 24-pounder; 64 rounds grape shot, for 24-pounder; 24-rounds canister shot, for 24-pounder; 150 pounds cannon powder, for 24-pounder; 10 kegs cartridges, for 24-pounder (18 in each keg); 8,860 B and B. cartridge; 2,500 rifle cartridges; 4 24-pounder side guns; 2 12-pounder siege guns; 1 6-pounder field guns, no fixed ammunition or equipments and badly mounted; 98 rifle muskets; 33 common muskets; 36 cavalry musketoons, equipment complete. The above is a correct statement of arms and ammunition at this post.
D.D. SHEA, Captain, C.S. Provisional Army, Commanding Post.
HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DISTRICT OF GALVESTON, Galveston, Tex., December 6, 1861
Captain E.B.H. SCHNEIDER, Commanding at South Battery;
SIR: It is evident, from the movements of the enemy, that they are preparing for an attack on this place. Should a night attack be attempted, it will most likely be made on Fort Point, Pelican Spit, and South Battery. You will therefore take such precautions as to prevent surprise, by doubling your guards and throwing out pickets in various directions to the water's edge. It is confidently expected that you will successfully defend yourself against any attack by boats. But should numbers overwhelm you, you will destroy your guns by spiking, or otherwise blow up your ammunition, set fire to your buildings, and retreat in an orderly manner towards the headquarters of Nichols' regiment on the strand. Additional vedettes are thrown out to protect the telegraph line-to keep it intact. Should appearances indicate attack, you will immediately telegraph to me at the office of E.B.Nichols & Co., where my quarters are established.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
E.B. NICHOLS, Colonel, Commanding District.
HDQRS. THIRD REG'T TEXAS INFANTRY, PROV. ARMY Fort Brown, Tex., December 7, 1861
Major SAMUEL BOYER DAVIS, Asst. Adjt. General Dep't of Texas, Galveston, Tex.:
SIR: Inclosed you will find a copy of a communication received this morning from Captain John A. Settle, assistant commissary of subsistence and acting assistant quartermaster, Provisional Army, C.S.
I have personally investigated the circumstances attending the subject-matter of his communication and I feel compelled to report our situation as a truly deplorable one. Flour and corn cannot be had at all on this side of the Rio Grande. All that we can get comes from the other side (Mexico) and under the most favorable condition of circumstances the supply is limited and precarious. Both of these articles have to be brought from the interior of Mexico and from great distances. During the present disturbed state of the country the risk of
