The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 66, July 1962 - April, 1963 Page: 259

Notes and Documents

to congress. This came by the Watchman. The Julius Caesar is the
boat at the mouth. The Bulletin no doubt hits upon the truth
but it certainly evinces no friendship to our cause and only evinces
his deep malignity towards Genl. Jackson. So soon as news of im-
portance reaches this point and can be conveyed you shall have
it at the army.
Since I came into office my constant desire has been to know the
quantity of supplies on hand and it seems impossible to ascertain
them at any time until they were exhausted. Why is not the state
of the army known, the force of every corps and the state of every
Department. It is impossible to meet the wants of the army unless
things are anticipated and at a time when nothing else but drills
and discipline are attended to in the army we ought to be advised
some weeks if not months beforehand what is wanted. Our supplies
must be derived from abroad, for they are not in the country. The
Brasos is exhausted of supplies. Cavalry is not in the country.
Keep your force embodied and do not detach them. I desire
that all the means within your power should be used and economised
to the best advantage.
I wish to know the actual situation of the army and to know
what can be done for it in future
What is the state of the ordinance, the Quarter Master Dept?
In short what is every Dept. and what will remedy the evil? or
evils that may exist? These are things that I must know. How many
carriages have you and what number of Teams can you start? What
number of horses for cavalry, and what number are needed? You
must pin some data, and not say of any particular Department "we
want so and so." On Brasos there is no corn nor can breadstuffs
be obtained, only from the US. With a view to this object I wrote
from Colorado on my way to the army the loth of Jany and a
requisition was immediately forwarded to our agent at New Orleans.
And again on my return I sent Colonel Thurston25 for the express
purpose of purchasing supplies in which he has not succeeded by
last advices. Since then I sent a special agent to Orleans, but our
agents are not discharging their duty. I have procured about 150 or
75 bushels of corn at the mouth of Brasos and so soon as practicable
I will sent it round to the army. It is impossible to get teams to
do hauling at this time.
The army claims and shall receive every attention possible, you
may be assured.
Since this letter was commenced, Maj. Patton has arrived from
Washington and confirms the last news relative to an arrangement
having been entered into between Genl. Jackson and Genl. Santa
Anna. It is said the line will be the Rio Grande-But of course
25Algernon Sidney Thurston was commisary general for the republic.

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