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

transportation is so great that it is with the utmost difficulty the common carriers can be prevailed upon to incur, it nor will they do so at all for paper money nor upon credit. They must be paid cash in specie. The quartermaster and commissary departments are wholly out of the articles mentioned; besides, many other small things necessary to the health, comfort, and subsistence of the troops, which can only be had for cash, and at best in but small quantities. There are now in the command to be provided for about 700 men and over 400 horses, and other troops expected every hour. The quartermaster and commissary departments are without a dollar and without credit. The officer in charge of these departments is not even authorized to draw a draft by means of which money can be obtained, nor can money be borrowed. Representations of the most urgent character have repeatedly been made, both orally and by letter, of the great necessity existing that this post should be supplied with funds sufficient to meet the requirements of the troops, and of the utter impossibility of accomplishing anything without them. Still we are unsupplied.

The credit of the Government here is almost wholly lost. The statement that money is soon expected elicits a smile of incredulity, if not a sneer of contempt.

The enemy has already made his appearance, as there is a steamer of war lying off Brazos Santiago (she arrived on the afternoon of the 5th instant), and others daily expected. I may be required to move the whole command at any moment to meet the enemy, if a landing cannot be prevented. Under these circumstances, and feeling deeply impressed by the necessities of the case, I have taken the responsibility of ordering Captain John A. Settle, assistant commissary of subsistence and acting assistant quartermaster, Provisional Army, C.S., to draw a draft for $10,000 on the assistant treasurer at New Orleans, or upon any other Government agent at that place holding public funds, and negotiate the same forthwith, if possible. I have therefore to request that the commanding general will give the requisite orders to the chiefs of the departments, in order that the draft may be properly met. I have no hesitation in stating that, if protested, not another dollar or one pound of any article can hereafter be procured here without the money is paid in hand; hence the necessity for immediate action.

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

A.BUCHEL, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding.

SPECIAL ORDERS,} HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF TEXAS, Numbers 227. } Galveston, Tex., December 7, 1861.

I. Colonel John C. Moore, of Moore's regiment, is relieved from the command of the Military District of Galveston, and will join his regiment.

II. Colonel E.B. Nichols, of Nichols' regiment,is assigned to the command of the Military District of Galveston.

By order of Brigadier General P.O. Hebert:

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

FORT WASHINGTON, Near Saluria, Tex., December 9, 1861

MAJOR: I have the honor to state that on the 7th instant, about 1 p.m., a vessel (sloop-of-war rig) hove in sight. She sailed to the west