For this purpose I have requested of the Governors of Louisiana and Mississippi and Tennessee, each a brigade, and of the State of Alabama a battalion, making altogether three brigades and one battalion; the whole, or as many of them as practicable, to he mounted; to repair to this place as soon as may he convenient, by battalions or companies. This force, though not equal in numbers to that which it may he my duty to meet in battle, will enable me at least to secure the confidence of the frontier settlements, and keep them at home to plant their crops; and, moreover, to enable me to inflict summary punishment on such of the enemy by whom they are now menaced, as may teach them to respect us, and in future to pay more regard than they seem now disposed to pay to our rights and treaties. I shall, in the course of a few days, address to each one of the commanders of the armies in Texas, a note, calling their attention to their duties, and apprizing them of the course which I shall pursue towards them, in obedience to the orders of the President of the United States, should they approach our boundary, or suffer the Indians near them to commence hostilities. I have notified the Governors of the States, to whom I have applied for force, that, "should the war in Texas he brought to a close without the apprehended Indian hostilities," the volunteers will, in that case, "he discharged forthwith." I have the honor to he,
Very respectfully, Edmund P. Gaines, Major General Commanding.
The Hon. Lewis Cass, Secretary of War, Washington City.
P.S. I enclose a copy of my letters to the Governors of the
States above named.
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