Chihuahua Dec 18^th 1861

 

To The Comdg Officer

Fort Davis Texas

                                   

Dear Sir

                      Mr Groves an intelligent gentleman arrived here yesterday from California by way of Guaymas in Sonora and says there is no truth whatever in the report that Federal Troops have landed there to invade Texas by way of Arizona he further states that 5000 men could not be raised in Cal to operate against the Southern Confederacy without drafting and he thinks the Federal Govt would hardly resort to that means to raise men. There was a requisition made on Cal for 5000 men volunteers to be placed in the south of the state when it was reported that Gen Van Dorn intended marching on Cal from Arizona there are a few troops now stationed at San Bernadino but none preparing to march out of the state therefore you need have no fears of an enemy from that quarter this information you can rely upon as Mr Groves is a true and loyal citizen to / the South. He is mining on the Pacific slope of the Sierra Madre and had been in Cal on business relative to the mine. Mr Groves agrees with me in the opinion that it is not a practable idea to operate against Texas with troops from Cal as the land trail is too great consequently too great the expense attending it and the result attained would not commensurate with the cost Should however any thing occur that would lead to a supposition that troops were moving against Texas I will immediately advise you of it You will please inform all the parties of this that is all that would be interested in it

                                                                       

I remain yours most Respectfully

Geo S Macmanus

SOURCES