nt of his territory than to the smallness
of his force. His staff surpassed in numbers that of Von Moltke during
the war with France; and, to supply the demands of bureaux and staff,
constant details from the infantry were called for, to the great
discontent of the officers in the field. Hydrocephalus at Shreveport
produced atrophy elsewhere. Extensive works for defense were constructed
there, and heavy guns mounted; and, as it was known that I objected to
fortifications beyond mere water batteries, for reasons already stated,
the chief engineer of the "department" was sent to Fort De Russy to
build an iron-casemated battery and other works. We shall see what
became of De Russy.

In the winter there joined me from Arkansas a brigade of Texas infantry,
numbering seven hundred muskets. The men had been recently dismounted,
and were much discontented thereat. Prince Charles Polignac, a French
gentleman of ancient lineage, and a brigadier in the Confederate army,
reported for duty about the same time, and was assigned to command this
brigade. The Texans swore that a Frenchman, whose very name they could
not pronounce, should never command them, and mutiny was threatened. I
went to their camp, assembled the officers, and pointed out the
consequences of disobedience, for which I should hold them accountable;
but promised that if they remained dissatisfied with their new commander
_after an action_, I would then remove him. Order was restored, but it
was up-hill work for General Polignac for some time, notwithstanding his
patience and good temper. The incongruity of the relation struck me, and
I thought of sending my monte-dealing Texas colonel to Paris, to command
a brigade of the Imperial Guard.

In the first weeks of 1864 the enemy sent a gunboat expedition up the
Washita, and Polignac's brigade, with a battery, was moved to Trinity
to meet it. The gunboats were driven off, and Polignac, by his coolness
under fire, gained the confidence of his men, as he soon gained their
affections by his care and attention. They got on famously, and he made
capital soldiers out of them. General Polignac returned to Europe in
1865, and as he had shown great gallantry and talent for war while
serving with me, I hoped that he might come to the front during the
struggle with Germany; but he belonged to that race of historic gentry
whose ancestors rallied to the white plume of Henry at Ivry, and
followed the charge of Conde at Rocroy. Had he