It the militia and arms are taken from these border counties, they must suffer, for it is clearly demonstrated that the frontier regiment is not affording sufficient protection.

Would it not be well to order the State troops from several of those counties now suffering to aid and expelling the Indians, and would it not be well to call out the militia in those counties that have been exempted, and compel them to do duty on the frontier? for they were exempted for that purpose, and they ought to be made to act, and that speedily. They are also very much in need of ammunition.

The foregoing facts we most respectfully submit to your kind consideration.

Most respectfully, your friends and servants,

R. M. GANO,

Brigadier-General, Commanding Cavalry, C. S. Army.

NATHANIEL TERRY,

Brigadier-General, Twentieth Brigade, Texas State Troops.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF TEXAS, &C.,

No. 216.
Near Millican, August 12, 1863.

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XX. Colonel W. R. Bradfute, commanding coast, is hereby relieved from command, and will report in arrest to these headquarters without delay.

XXI. Colonel A. M. Hobby, commanding Corpus Christi, will take command of the coast from Matagorda to Penasco, inclusive.

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By command of Major-General Magruder:

EDMUND P. TURNER,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

MOBILE, ALA.,

August 13, 1863.

General S. COOPER:

Unusual number of vessels at Ship Island. The following news just received:

Late information from New Orleans, all large men of war left here; supposed to be for Mobile. General rumor, Mobile soon to be attacked. Landing to be made on Mississippi coast.

Troops landing on Ship Island. Commodore Farraugut gone to New York.

DABNEY H. MAURY,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF,
Mobile, Ala., August 13, 1863.

General S. COOPER,

Adjutant and Inspector General, Richmond, Va.:

GENERAL: In reply to the letter of the Secretary of War of the 7th [1st] instant, I have the honor to transmit the accompanying reports,