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

much of your valuable time. As an engineer, I can but too well appreciate the defenseless state of the sea-coast, see plainly what is needed generally, but of course can only deplore my inability to remedy the evil. I much fear that I have brought my little military reputation to an early grave. At all events, I will endeavor to justify the confidence of the President in charging me with this difficult command, and trust to your knowledge of the correctness of my motives and your friendship for me to set me right in all matters where I may seem to transcend the authority usually vested in commanders of departments.

Very respectfully and truly, yours,

P.O. HEBERT.

MILITARY DEPARTMENT OF TEXAS, Galveston, Tex., November 4, 1861.

Colonel J.C. MOORE, Commanding Military District of Galveston, Tex.:

SIR: Commander Hunter, C.S.Navy, was ordered to report to the general commanding the Department of Texas. He has been placed on special duty, and assigned to the immediate command of the naval defenses of the port of Galveston and the vessels in the employ of the Government. Commander Hunter, as any other subordinate officer, is subject to the orders of military superiors in this military district. The right of the general commanding, when present in person, to communicate directly with the blockading squadron on the coast it is taken for granted that Colonel Moore did not intend to question.

By order of Brigadier General P.O. Hebert, commanding Military Department of Texas:

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

GENERAL ORDERS, HDQRS.MIL. DEP'T OF TEXAS, No.11. Galveston, Tex., November 6,1861.

From and after this date no authority shall be given to raise troops for a less period than the war. Enlistments shall be made for the war, unless sooner discharged.

By command of Brigadier General P.O. Hebert, commanding Military Department of Texas:

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

RINGGOLD BARRACKS, TEX., November 7,1861.

Colonel JOHN S. FORD, Commanding Second Regiment Mounted Rifles, Fort Brown, Tex.:

SIR: On the 29th ultimo we received information that the detachment of Captain Benavides' company had been withdrawn from Carizzo, and that a party of Mexicans from the other side of the Rio Grande had threatened to attack the place. Immediately I started for that point, and arrived there on the following day, but too late to prevent the stealing of several horses from the rancho. They confined their depredations to stock alone, avoiding the rancho and persons therein. The party engaged in this affair were inhabitants of this State, but, when Texas seceded, they refused to bear allegiance to the Confederacy, and openly declared their intention of supporting no government except.