Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1844-05-23
c0NFIDEN NTIAL.
ADJUTANT GENERALS OFFICE, J
Washington, April 81, 1914. !

Washington, April 27, 1874.
SIR: On your arrival at Natchitoches
you will consider yourself not merely as
the immediate commanser of the LIST
military department, but also as tho
commander OF corps Of observation, to
be reinforced by orders from this place,
if deemed necessary.
ln the first instance, that corps viii!
consist of the seven companies Of the
I'd Dragons long in garrison at Fort
Jesup, together with eight companies Of
the Sd infantry and eight Of the 4lh re-
Gently ordered thiher.
With view 10 the convenience oftho
rec eipt of supplies by water, the 4th in
iantry (and the Sd also, at your dscre-
iion) may, for the present, be held EN- 4
camped near Natchitoches. 1t is sup
posed that healthy position may be
found in the pine woods in the neigh
borhood Of iha, city if not, health being
ofthe higher Importance, both regiments
Of foot may be cncamped on the ridge
near Fort Jesup.
Your head quarters may be establish
ed at either place, or you will shift from
one TO the other as may be found neccs-
sary.
The three corps will be held in read-
ness for service AT any moment.
Cavalry arms and horse equipments
have been ordered from Baton Rouge
for the seven companies of Dragons.
Measures will also be taken to cause
them 10 be remountcd as soon as an ap-
propriation shall be made for that object.
In the mean time, they will be rendered
effective on foot.
/ You will continue 10 receive instruc-
tons direct from this place. Your Or
dlnary military communications will be
made as indicated in the third para
graph Of the orders of the War Depart
ment, dated the 10th instant but in
other matters confded to your judgment
and discretion, (and the confidence is
greai) your correspondence will be di-
rect to the Adjulant General, for the
information Of the General in Chief
aud the higher authorities.
You will take prompt measures, in
the first instance, by a confidential Off
Ger, and subsequently, by The ordinary
mail or special express, as you may
deem necessary, TO put yourself in COIN
municatlon with the President Of Texas,
in order to inform him Of your present
position and force, and TO learn and 10
transmit to this office Gall confiden,ially)
whether any and what external dangers
may threaten that government or lis
people. Should such danger he found
to exist, and appear TO be imminent, you
will collect and march the forces above
indicated to the Sabine river, but not
proceed beyond the frontier without fur
iher instructions, Keeping in readiness,
in the case supposed, all necessary
means OF transportation, as well as am
pie stores Of subsistence and ammuni-
ton.
BY these instructions il is not meant
tn impress upon your mind the belief
that the Government apprehend hostility
with any foreign Power. They arc
given to you for the purpose of cnioin-
ing circumspcction and attention 10 tho
condition Of your force. | repeat tho
injunction of confidence, and the full
reliance reposed in your judgment aud
prudence by the Government.
| write under the instructions Of tho
War Department, IN consultation with
the General-,n-ChIeG
/ | am, sir, very respectfully,
your obcdcnt servant,
Il. JONES, Adjutant General.
Brcvci Brig Gen. ". TAYLOR,
Com & lst Mil. Dep Fort Jcsup, La.