Head Quarters Brownsville, Dec 7^th 1863.

Brig Gen C. P. Stone

            Chief of Staff

                        Capt Langley 1^st Texas Cavalry who was ordered to report to Brig Gen. Hamilton at New Orleans during the absence of the Commanding Gen has informed me that Gen Hamilton has authority to recruit and enlist a mounted body-guard for a Governor's guard, and that he (Langley) is to proceed in it and command it. I have ordered that the plan be not commenced or proceeded with until some written authority from Maj Gen Banks can be shown to that effect. After a consultation with Col. Davis on the subject I find that he entirely agrees with me, that if a hundred men were now recruited for such an object, it would operate to stop general recruiting service at once. The matter occasions him considerable anxiety for he understands that men naturally seek a position of ease and comfort and comparative relaxation in preference to one of restraint and rough service. The effort to recruit 100 men for such service would check the regular enlistment of a much larger number. I hope the commanding Gen will not grant permission for it at present. The 1^st Texas Cavalry is getting about 7 recruits a day, and I have given Col Davis the charge of all the recruiting done here. I regret to say that no carbine ammunition has yet arrived at Brazos and there is not a cartridge here I ordered the ordnance officer to require a duplicate supply from New Orleans about three weeks ago but none of that [faded] the supply which we brought & which was carried back has come. If any is now ordered by you on discovery that some has been shipped to us please notify the Ordnance Officer that we have both patterns of Sharp's carbines—old and new. A schooner is wrecked and has gone to pieces on the bar containing among other things the equipment and arms belonging to Davis Regiment which was carried back on the Belvidere. The new cavalry equipment which was carried back is now beginning to arrive, and poor Davis is in depair at the discovery that the saddles are citizens patterns, which he says are unsuitable. Could not 300 sets of McClellan's or Jennison's patterns be at once [faded]? I hope I shall not trouble you so often with letters so complaining as this, but really this Regiment and its noble commander have my sympathy. The fates appear to have pursued them closely with very bad luck.

 

I have the honor to Remain

 (signed)           N.J.T. Dana

Maj Gen

 

[overleaf]

 

Head Qrs Brownsville

            Dec 7^th 1863

To

Brig. Gen. C. P. Stone

            Chief of Staff

SOURCES