March 31, 1861; The New York Herald
The steamship Daniel Webster, from the Rio Grande via Key West and the Tortugas forts, with United States troops, arrived at this port yesterday. She left Brazos on the 19th, Fort Jefferson on the 24th and Fort Taylor on the 25th of March. She landed two companies of troops at Fort Jefferson, and also two companies at Fort Taylor. The steamer Gen. Rusk also landed two companies at each of these forts on the 24th. Fort Taylor is now on a complete war footing, amply garrisoned and furnished with supplies of all sorts for one year.
When the Daniel Webster left Brazos there were one company of artillery and two of cavalry at Fort Brown, and two companies of infantry were daily expected to arrive. Since the secession of Texas from the Union the military posts in the upper part of the State have been abandoned by the United States troops. All along the frontier the savages had renewed their depredations, killing the settlers, running of stock and committing great havoc. In addition to the attacks of the Indians the Texas were menaced on the Rio Grande by the Mexican robber chief Cortinas. He is reported to have a large force in readiness for a foray upon the Texans as soon as the United States troops are withdrawn. From all the indications, it is likely that before many weeks the Southern republic will find ample employment for a portion of its army in repelling the Camanches and Mexican bandits from the frontier.
The steamships Star of the West and Coatzacoalcos, from New York for Brazos, passed Key West, the former on the 20th and the latter on the 21st inst.
The President and Cabinet were yesterday again engaged in discussing the question of abandoning Fort Sumter. The administration moves very slowly in this disagreeable business. Meantime the Charlestonians are growing dangerously restive. Our correspondent at Charleston telegraphs that if the evacuation does not speedily take place the fort will be attacked and captured.