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

large hostile forces in such immediate proximity to this post increases our embarrassment in this respect tenfold, as they seize, confiscate, and consume nearly everything.

The quartermaster and commissary of subsistence has used every exertion to procure forage and subsistence; but to obtain more than enough for a few days at a time has been impossible. There is no certainly at any time that a sufficient supply will be on hand for the ensuing issue. To-day we have not a single barrel of flour on hand and not more than a few days' forage, nor can I now see any probability of obtaining more. I have therefore directed him to make a requisition on San Antonio for such stores. These difficulties further embarrass us by paralyzing the efforts of such friendly merchants as are disposed to aid and assist us, much of their means and nearly the whole of their usual facilities being for the time completely deranged. The want of money has, too, been most discouraging and nearly fatal to our interest, the credit of the Government being wholly gone; and, although now supplied with Confederate notes for the quartermaster and commissary departments they are almost wholly useless, as but few are willing to take them, and those who do invariably charge from 25 to 30 per cent higher prices for what we purchase than would be the case had we gold and silver; besides, no other currency is at all available in Mexico, from whence we must procure the principal articles needed. Many things needed by us might possibly be procured were we supplied with specie, but those who possess them will not incur the risks attendant upon their delivery when they know we have only paper to give in exchange. These facts, I find from the correspondence of Lieutenant-Colonel Buchel, have been so forcibly urged upon the attention of the commanding general, that it would seem to be almost useless to reiterate them; but I feel so deeply impressed with the certainty that, should an enemy land, these circumstances will so militate against us as to almost compel a withdrawal to the interior.

The hope of a final adjustment of the difficulties in and about Matamoras seems now as distant as ever. For several days they have had but little, or no firing, but to-day, I understand, Carvajal has received re-enforcements and a new supply of ammunition. We shall therefore for the next days be annoyed by their fusillade, which will as heretofore, result only in noise and smoke.

The desertions from the command have been repeatedly reported by Lieutenant-Colonel Buchel, and since my arrival several have occurred. The condition of the troops is such, that I must candidly confess I am not greatly surprised at their yielding to the inducements offered by the parties on the other side of the river. The most of them are but scantily clothed, and have received no pay; they know the state of the Government's credit quite as well as I do myself, and also the difficulties attendant upon procuring supplies. They are fully aware of the inadequacy of the force now here to resist a force such as the enemy are likely to land with, of the unpopularity of the Rio Grande service, and of the difficulty heretofore experienced in raising additional troops. You cannot therefore, considering all these circumstances, avoid the conclusion at which I have arrived, that cause enough exists to discourage and dishearten them.

Permit me again to urge upon you the absolute necessity of sending forward as rapidly as possible additional infantry companies. We now have here three infantry and three artillery companies, but one of which (Captain Kampmann's) is filled to the minimum established by law, and I see no probability of their being filled up unless recruits can be sent down from the interior.