Head Quarters Troops in Texas

San Antonio May 27^th 1861

 

Col John S Ford

Comdg Troops on the Rio Grande

                                   

Colonel

               Copies of your communications to the Govenor, and your letters to me were duly received. I am very much pleased with all you have done on your line. I herewith enclose you a coppy of General Orders No 8, from these H^d Qrs wherein you will see the disposition of your Regiment and your assignment to command. you will percieve that your command extends from Fort Bliss to Fort Inge, and, until the Regiment of Infantry is completely organized, as far as Brazos Santiago. The Battery will be sent to Fort Inge, as soon as it can be got in readiness. you had better send Artillery horses now with you to Inge as they are better adapted to that service than any of these I could have selected here from the Calvery horse. Please order all Calvery horses and equipments turned over by the U. S. Troops on the Rio Grande to San Antonio. Please also designate some officer of experience and discretion to receipt for all the property turned over by the State to the Confederate States at Fort Brown and Brazos Santiago, and direct him to make a complete return of the same to the Chief of the Staff Maj Mackin C.S.A. Please do the same at each one of the Posts of your command. Within a short distance of El Paso or Fort Bliss there are several hundred U. S. Troops. I have, therefore ordered your Companies there. There are five / or six peices of Artillery at Fort Davis, Quitman and Bliss, which I have ordered to Ft Bliss. it may be practicable to capture the U.S. Troops. You will percieve that you are authorized to concentrate the Troops on your line of defence. If the U. S. Troops could be easily taken, if they heard of your design they would get out of your reach by falling back into New Mexico, too far to be persued. It is possible for them to retake Ft Bliss, and all the public property before our Troops can reach them.

 

I was very much pleased to know that you were cultivating friendly relations with our neighbours over the river. I think it is our policy to do so especially at this time. In regard to Corinas you will have a force soon that will enable you to crush him and his followers, without trouble. I do not feel much apprehention from such a source, when we have as many young men now in arms and eager for a fight I hardly anticipate any trouble at Brazos Santiago now. It is too near the Yellow fever season for our enemies of the North to venture any more in that quarter, they will not do so until fall (you will not discourage your command, of course, by giving expression to the opinion) You will select your point for H^d Qr^s I suggest Fort Clark as the most central point on your line, and most convenient to these H^d Qtrs.

 

You will percieve that I have ordered no Company to Fort Quitman, although it is mentioned as one of the posts on your line. when everything is settled at Ft Bliss you / can direct one of the companies there to garrison it. Ft. Clark, Inge and M^cIntosh and Camp Wood are so near Ft Duncan that it is hardly necessary to garrison that Post; it is completely enveloped.

 

I would be pleased if you would inspect your line of defence at once, and make such suggestion as may be necessary. Before leaving Ft Brown please muster into the service of the Confederate States the Infantry Companies at Fort Brown and put the senior officer in command with letters of introduction for his guidance.

 

            Having the highest opinion of your ability and discretion, I turn over the command of the Rio Grande line to you, with perfect confidence that, that section of our Frontier will be well guarded.

 

            With the best wishes for your health and good fortune I am Co^l Very Respectfully Your Obt Svt

                                                                                   

Earl Van Dorn

Col Commanding

SOURCES