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San Antonio de Bexar, Sept. 18/46

My Dear Bigelow: It is not the receipt of your very acceptable favor of 12th ult. (which did not come to hand until last mail) that alone has stimulated me to the "momentous task" of scribbling you a letter. I already had your name on my "correspondents' list;" and was only waiting until I could tell you something definite as to the week or month, if not the day or hour, of the march of our "Army of Chihuahua." But this I cannot even yet venture to do "upon my own responsibility;" though I am informed that the "General Commanding" has appointed next Tuesday as the most probable time of our departure. Yet I still say, as I have said all along, that, if we get fairly under way ("provided always," we ever do) before the first of October, those charged with preparations and arrangements, will have to "get up earlier, and sit up later" -- work harder, faster,