now at the Brazos some 1,200 wagons, with harness. With the prospect before us, I have deemed it expedient to have most of them set up, and, even before the instructions to terminate the armistice reached General Taylor, had, with his approbation, sent instructions below to increase our train to 1,000 wagons, having at that time about 300. I had also instructed Colonel Hunt to forward all the mules he had on hand, while Captain Crosman, Captain Hill, and Lieutenant Chase, at Matamoras, were all directed to push the matter with all possible zeal. My reports from below inform me that due progress is making in the work. Lieutenant Chase, who is at point where purchases can be made to the most advantage, was directed to call on the alcaldes for lots of 500; and the first lot was fast coming, by the last report. The 2,000 we may want there can probably be had without much difficulty. Just before I left that place, in August, I had brought in by these means about 600 mules. They were all tame; that is, had been handled for packing or for harness. The owners of course prefer to sell their wild mules; but we took none at that time, wishing to avoid the trouble of breaking them. The average price of this purchase was about $18. At this time we may probably be obliged to pay a little more for tame mules, as we employ a great many for packing. I have at this time between this and Camargo over 2,000 mules, which bring up by the cargo, (300 lbs.) It is to be delivered safe, the dangers from the enemy only excepted. As I have already reported, nearly 2,000 cargoes have been delivered here in this way since the surrender, and more than 2,000 are now drawn for the same purpose. In making the movement now in contemplation on Victoria, we shall avail ourselves of the same means-much to the relief of our wagon train. There are now in store here more than 400 cargoes of flour, in order for packing. That number will accompany us on mules; thus saving some sixty wagons, which can be left on this route. As we move down, our wagons can be increased from Mata moras. Your suggestion as to Victoria has already been acted on. Directions have been sent below to have the inlets of the coast examined, with a view to supply the column there by a shorter roûte than by Matamoras. I am much obliged to you for your memorandum, and will have a copy of it made for Captain Sibley, who will go down with me. We have lacked forges, but a supply is now at Camargo, I hear. Indeed, at present the department has an abundant supply of every thing, so far as I am aware, excepting running wagons. Every thing that comes from the north, or New Orleans, is at the depots in ample quantity. The clothing supply, too, is now on the way from Camargo. It is a great relief to my mind to be able to observe this state of things. One cause of complaint, for a time, was the mail arrangement, and . complaints seemed to be narrowed down to that point. Even that, I believe, is now removed. By the directions of General Taylor, post office agents have been placed at each depot, to which all letters are sent, paid and unpaid; the postage being collected and sent back. HENRY WHITING, Colonel and Assistant Quartermaster General. To Major General T. S. JESUP, Quartermaster General, New Orleans. NEW ORLEANS, June 23, 1846. GENERAL: I received this morning from the head quarters army. of occupation an extract from a communication from the commanding general to the adjutant general of the army, dated 17th instant, a copy of which I have the honor to enclose herewith; and it being too late for the mail to-day for me to report in regard to the matters touched upon, I would remark now that I can, I think, show to you that no remissness has taken place on my part. I have done as much as any other man could have done to meet all the wants of the army, so far as I have been made acquainted with them and I had the means. The demands on me for money in many ways are so great, and the probability being that they will continue greater, I am, from necessity, forced to say that I must have more funds than the two hundred thousand dollars, of which I received your advice two or three days ago, (but not received the money,) and the balance on my estimate for June, one hundred and eleven thousand dollars; and I would most respectfully ask for a remittance of three hundred thousand dollars on account of Mexican hostilities. I wrote to you on the 11th of May, in regard to camp and garrison equipage, and subsequently of knapsacks, &c., but I am not advised that any order has been given on the subject. I have had a great many made here, and have supplied about ninety-six companies. I am now having put up for the army of occupation, and will ship in a few days, a supply of camp and garrison equipage, knapsacks, haversacks, and canteens for about three thousand men. This may cramp me some, should volunteers arrive within a few days unprovided. To Major Gen. THOS. S. JESUP, THOS. F. HUNT, Deputy Quartermaster General. Washington city. [Extract from "communication," &c., above referred to.] HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, Matamoras, June, 17, 1846. SIR: I deem it proper to report that no advices have been received from general head-quarters since the 10th instant; "general orders" No. 13, and "special orders" No. 45, both of May 26, being received on that day. Our dates from the north are some days later through the newspapers. No steamboats have been sent out from New Orleans for the navigation of the Rio Grande; and, in the absence of all information on that point, or respecting the views of the government, I am altogether in the dark as to our future operations. I must think that orders have been given, by superior authority, to suspend the forwarding of means of transportation from New Orleans. I cannot otherwise account for the extraordinary delay shown by the quartermaster's department in that city. Even the mails, containing, probably, important despatches from the government, are not expedited. Z. TAYLOR, Brevet Brig. Gen., commanding. The ADJUTANT GENERAL of the Army, Washington, D. C. NEW ORLEANS, July 4, 1846. GENERAL: I had the honor to report to you, on the 11th ultimo, that I had purchased the steamboats Undine, ($13,000,) and Troy, ($6,000,) and I now have the honor to say, that since that time, I have purchased steamboats, as follows: The J. E. Roberts, for $9,000, on the 13th of June; paid for the 26th. The Brownsville, for $9,000, on the 15th of June; paid for the 20th. The steam-schooner (propeller) James Cage, for $18,000, on the 19th of June; paid for June 29. The Hatchee Eagle, on the 1st instant paid for 2d-for $5,000. All, except the last named, have been despatched, viz: the Troy on the 14th ultimo; (she was at Galveston about the 22d, detained on account of bad weather;) J. E. Roberts on the 25th ultimo; the Brownsville on the 25th ultimo; the James Cage on the 1st instant; and the Undine on the 2d instant. The Undine and James Cage I had coppered, and I had a good deal of other work-reducing cabin, making alterations and additions, and other work-to fit them for the run by sea, &c. The Troy, J. E. Roberts, and Brownsville are light draught, and calculated, mostly, for the Rio Grande; and so is the Hatchee Eagle, now in dock to be caulked, and undergoing other repairs, &c. The James Cage is a good sea boat, and will serve very well as a lighter for vessels at sea, and other sea serviee. The Undine is light draught. I have despatched her to Port La Vaca, temporarily for service, should Captain Irwin not be able to get along without her. I adopted this course because I have understood that some 200,000 rations were to be sent from the north to that place; and, not knowing the draught of the vessels that máy have taken them, I was apprehensive that they could not enter Matagorda bay, and consequently would have to be lightered at sea; which, by the way, would be very troublesome and laborious, and would be attended with much risk. The distance from the entrance to Matagorda bay (Pass Caballo) to Port La Vaca, is 25 or 30 miles. I expect, when I am better informed, as I presume I shall be when I hear from Captain Irwin, to have the Undine relieved by another boat-the Hatchee Eagle, perhaps. Besides the above named, I have chartered steamboats, as follows, viz: The Big Hatchee, which departed from Brazos Santiago on the 10th of June. She was at Galveston about the 22d, detained by bad weather. The charter is conditioned that she will answer our purposes; and the test is to be, that she will take 100 tons of freight up the river to Matamoras, provided there be 33 feet water in the river. The compensation is to be $135 per day, and we to find her fuel. No per diem is allowed for going down; but if she enter our service, and serve, she is to be paid $1,000 as reimbursement of of expenses, &c., in going down. The Warren, which departed on the 27th ultimo. Her service commences when she is reported in good order and condition to the quartermaster at Brazos Santiago. She is to get $125 per day, we to find her fuel-chartered for three months. We are to pay $1,000 as reimbursement of expenses in getting her down; no per diem for which is yet allowed. The Exchange departed yesterday. Same terms, &c., as the Warren, except that her charter is for four months. The W. N. Mercer, to leave to-morrow if the weather permit. Agreement the same as for the Warren. I have received advices from Captain Sanders of his having purchased two boats, to be delivered to me here: the Rough and Ready, for $12,000, and the Whiteville, for $5,500. I hope he will make no more engagements, because I think we now have enough. I shall, however, have information from Colonel Whiting by the next arrival from Brazos Santiago, and may be better informed. We had a very severe gale of wind from yesterday afternoon until this morning, and I fear we shall have information of disasters to our steamers and other vessels. THOS. F. HUNT, Deputy Quartermaster General. Major General THOMAS S. JESUP, [Extract.] NEW ORLEANS, July 22, 1846. GENERAL: Three of the steamboats purchased by Captain Sanders have arrived, and been received. One has been paid for, and the other two not. The late owners or their agents are waiting impatiently for their money. THOS. F. HUNT, Deputy Quartermaster General. Major General THOS. S. JESUP, Quartermaster General, Washington city. [Extract.] NEW ORLEANS, July 26, 1846. GENERAL: No exertions have been spared by me to meet all the wants of the service, so far as depends on me, and none shall be spared. I do not apprehend any embarrassment in the quartermaster's department, if we only have the money. Very few wagons can be purchased here; but I understand a large number (some 200 or 300) may be expected from the Ohio, &c. General Wool so informed me. I have received 57 ox wagons and 24 horse wagons. THOS. F. HUNT, Deputy Quartermaster General. Major General THOS. S. JESUP, Quartermaster General, Washington city. [Extract.] NEW ORLEANS, August 23, 1846. GENERAL: In regard to horses and mules, I have to remark that I have shipped of the former for Brazos island upwards of 200, and of the latter very few; and for La Vaca about 100 horses, and something more than 800 mules. In a few days I shall ship horses received from up the river, and also some that I have purchased for Brazos island; and also mules and horses for La Vaca-perhaps in the course of the week from five hundred to a thousand. Major General THOS. S. JESUp, THOS. F. HUNT, Deputy Quartermaster General. Quartermaster General, Washington city. [Extract.] NEW ORLEANS, September 6, 1846. GENERAL: As soon as I possibly can have them prepared, all the reports required by the regulations, now due from me, shall be made out and transmitted; and I would remark that I have discharged with fidelity and unceasing perseverance, and I trust with credit to |