Head Quarters U.S. Forces

Matagorda Peninsula

January 28^th 1864

 

Lieut. Col.

            W. B. Scates

            Adjt. Genl. 13^th Corps.

                                    The reconnoissance made by my order, under direction of Brig. Genl. Ransom who marched from here on the 21^st inst, was entirely successful.

 

                        He returned three days ago, without loss or accident, except the sad death of Capt. Charles March, and the wounding of Private Hield of the 13^th Maine, both by an accidental shot fired by one of the sailors from a gunboat.

 

                        The enemy were closely reconnoitered at Caney Creek, sixty miles from here, and discovered in some force, his pickets were driven in and although none were captured, they were compelled to abandon their horses, and hide in some swamps, and their horses were captured.

 

Genl. Ransom saw 3,000 Cavalry, 1,000 Infantry, and some artillery, drawn up in the open ground just outside the works, preparing to repel his expected attack.

One deserter came in from them night before last, and reports 30,000 men up there. this is, of course, false. 

 

Three deserters came into our lines at Indianola last night having left Matagorda the night before. They report ten regiments, and two batteries of field pieces at Caney, and Magruders main force just behind the San Benard, just in rear of the force at Caney.

 

They report the Steamboats Carr, Cora, Lucy Gwin, and Lizzie Lake, and the schooners, Annie Dale, and George Bankhart, as above the reef in Matagorda Bay, and that the reef is impassible, the channel having been filled up.

 

The two first named steamboats are cotton clads, the other two ply with stores or supplies, between Caney and Matagorda. The two schoolers are armed, one with a 12 pound, the other with a 6 pounder.

 

                        The armament of the Carr has lately been changed, and she now has a 30 pound Parrott taken from the gunboat Westfield.

 

Our reconnoissance up the Peninsula was considered so threatening, that this was taken from her, and mounted in one of the works at Caney, together with another of the same kind, but it has since been returned to her.

 

The Cora has a 24 pd. howitzer. Oh! for some cavalry! If I only had even two good regiments of cavalry, I could do good service. Believe me, chances are being thrown away which are seriously to be regretted.

 

Do send me cavalry, as much as you can, but if no / more can be had, send me two good regiments and I can use them profitably, well, gloriously. I hope I shall know soon what regiments, if any, are to be withdrawn from here.

 

I dare not stir now under the information of your last letter. Dont postpone sending my Engineer Officer and ordnance officer, also the Quarter masters.         

 

With much respect

 (Signed)                                  N.J.T. Dana

      Maj. Genl.

 

Official                                              

            Hugh G Brown                                                                             

                        Capt. and Asst. Adjt. Genl.

 

[overleaf]

 

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Head Qs. U.S. Forces Tex. 50.

Pass Cavallo Jan. 28^th 1864

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Dana Maj. Genl.

To

Scates Lt. Col.

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Makes statements concerning the reconnoisance

made under the direction of Genl. Ransom

up the Peninsula. States that the enemy was

closely reconnoitered, that Genl Ransom saw

3,000 Cav 1,000 Infantry and some Artillery

drawn up in the open ground near the works

at Caney Creek. Speaks of the death of Capt

Charles March and the wounding of Pri. Hield

13^th Me.—Mentions several Rebel boats as

being above the reefs in Matagorda Bay.

States that three deserters came in to Indianola

and reported Magruder in force but a short

distance from the troops at Caney &c. Calls

Col. Scates' attention to his application for

an engineer to be sent immediately.

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