Today in History:

18 Series II Volume I- Serial 114 - Prisoners of War

Page 18 PRISONERS OF WAR, ETC.

I wish to take from this post with the artillery two companies of infantry, and desire to re-enforce this garrison by every man that can be obtained from above. Funds to defray expenses of transportation will be furnished on arrival.

I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

F. J. PORTER,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

[Sub-inclosure, Numbers 1.]

FORT BROWN, TEX., March 4, 1861.

Major C. C. SIBLEY,

Third Infantry, Commanding Fort McIntosh, Tex.

SIR: Under the impression that you with the garrison of Fort McIntosh may be marching in this direction or intending to march, and have received no orders from department headquarters to move toward San Antonio, in the name and by authority of the general-in-chief I call upon you to hasten to this post. Funds to defray expenses of transportation will be supplied on arrival. If you have knowledge of the advance in this direction of the troops from above, I desire you to communicate and hasten their march. Provisions are not abundant here, so you must husband your supply.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

F. J. PORTER,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

[Sub-inclosure Numbers 2.]

FORT BROWN, TEX., March 4, 1861.

Major W. H. FRENCH,

Commanding Battalion First Artillery, en route to Fort Brown, Tex.

SIR: I have caused to be sent to your aid several wagons pertaining to this command, and by authority of the general-in-chief urge you to hasten to this post. On arrival, you will be furnished with orders for the future. If Captain Bowman's company be in your rear and en route, needing aid to bring him here with expedition, I desire you to press on to him any of this transportation which can be spared.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

F. J. PORTER,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

[Inclosure Numbers 2.]

FORT BROWN, TEX., March 4, 1861.

COMMANDING OFFICER, Fort Brown, Tex.

SIR: I have the honor to deliver for your immediate action, and for transfer to the senior with the detachment to embark on the steamer Daniel Webster, now at Brazos Santiago, the orders for the removal of the artillery from Texas, which orders indicate infantry may embark on the same vessel. By the authority and in the name of the general-in-chief I call upon you to hold in readiness to embark with the artillery the two companies of the Third Infantry now at hand. If possible to take it another company will be ordered on board. The security of this post, until all the troops moving here shall be ready to embark, will alone, under existing circumstances, cause this infantry, or a portion of it, to be left here. For reasons of which the demand will indicate


Page 18 PRISONERS OF WAR, ETC.