Head Quarters U.S. Forces

Matagorda Peninsula

January 25^th 1864

 

Lieut. Col. W B Scates

            Asst Adjt. Genl

                        13^th Corps

                                                Since my second visit to Indianola, and the information now received, and which takes me by surprise, that I am to fortify and hold myself strictly on the defensive, and that some of my troops will be taken away—I feel more than ever the need of a competent Officer of Engineers. There is not an Officer in this whole Command who knows anything about fortification and keeping Engineer troops properly at their tasks.

 

            The Civil Engineer whom Major "Huston" has here, is entirely incompetent as a Military Engineer to plan fortifications, and workmen on them so as to get a half task out of them.

 

            He is competent as a topographer and draftsman, but is slow, and is reported to me as being too fond of whiskey. I hope a competent Officer will be at once sent.

 

 (Signed)

Very respectfully

N.J.T. Dana

          Maj. Genl.

                                           

Official                                                          

            Hugh G Brown                                               

                        Capt & AAG                                                   

 

[overleaf]

 

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36.       Head Quarters U.S.F.

                        Matagorda Peninsula

                                    January 25^th 1864

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                        Major General comdg.

                        To

                        Lieut Col & AAGenl

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Asks to have a competent Engineer sent at

once, says the one which Major Huston

has here is incompetent as a Military Engineer

but is a very good topographical Engineer.

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SOURCES