Head Quarters U.S. Forces

Matagorda Peninsula

January 26^th 1864

 

Lieut. Col. W. B. Scates

            Asst Adjt. Genl

                        New Orleans—I have ordered Captain Lappin A.Q.M. to report to Col Holabird at New Orleans. I cant employ such incompetent men here, he is not competent even to be a Brigade Qr. Mr.—I regret very much that Captain Constable is ordered away. whatever disagreeable qualities he may have he is an efficient live Quartermaster. It is absolutely necessary that I should have three, efficient Quartermasters at once. Also I am greatly in need of an Engr. Officer as I have reported before. Mr. Baker is not competent, and I shall probably soon send him away from here. I will send you herewith, a plan of the only fortification he has built here, as he says under the instructions of Major Huston. General Washburn ought to have stopped him from building so utterly absurd and ridiculous a work. it alone demonstrates his utter ignorance of fortifications

 

(Signed)          Very respectfully

Your Obt. Servt

N.J.T. Dana

Maj Genl

 

Official                                          

            Hugh G Brown                                                        

                        Capt & AAG                                                   

                                                                                                            

 

[overleaf]

 

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37. Hd. Qrs. U.S. Forces Texas

            Matagorda Peninsula

                        January 26^th 1864

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            Major Genl. Commdg.

            To

            Lieut. Col. & A.A.Genl.

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States that he has ordered Capt. Lappin to

report to Col. Holabird at New Orleans

Regrets that Captain has been ordered away

from this place &c.

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SOURCES