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want of protection against the depredations of those Indians. In fact few, if any, depredations have been committed since the successful campaign against Victoria's Band, that can with certainty be traced to Indians and in case they should again make their appearance, in this section of the country, which is hardly probable, the citizens are sufficiently numerous and strong enough to quickly destroy or drive them out of the state.

  This post, it is presumed, is at present occupied mainly for the reason that it affords shelter for troops and here they will necessarily have to remain at least until assignment can be made for their location elsewhere.  Still it is evident that the transportation for supplies for so large a garrison, as is now held here, has become a useless and unprofitable expenditure of public money, and also it is true that Concho like other posts surrounded by a numerous population affords means which go to the support of some worthy people, yet it is a fact that it mainly contributes to the profit of a multitude of disreputable persons who pandering to the worst propensities of the soldiers, vulturelike prey upon their earnings almost as a sole means of existence.

  If this post is occupied for any great length of time extensive repairs will necessarily be required.   The money which would be thus expended would, I think, be put to much better use in making the troops comfortable at points where their services are more needed.   If however it has been decided to retain Concho with its present permanent garrison for another year I recommend, after full consideration of the subject that the sub-posts at Grierson's spring and Head of North Concho be retained and occupied at present until say June 1st inst. and that without delay a suitable point near the line of the railroad be selected and occupied by 2 companies (1 of Cavalry and one of Infantry) that when those 2 companies are sufficiently well established that those at the old sub-posts be withdrawn to Concho and the new Sub-post be then increased