Lee, Robert E. (1807-1870) to Capt. Nathan G. Evans, re: army news, debt settlement, a keg of water

San Antonio, Texas, 3 Aug 1857

I little thought Capt Evans when I left you at dinner on the 17th ulto, that you would have gotten rid of me in this way. But here I am & Genl. Twiggs says here I must remain. I have written to Capt. Stoneman to have my valuables gathered up & sent down to me by the return wagons, Capt McLean is to send up, & I wish you to send down my mare. Please put her in charge of the wagon master with particular instructions. I requested the Captain to send you a keg of old whiskey I had secured. I had intended to bring it [inserted: out] some day, & surpize you with it, when yours was exhausted, but send [?] you must take it as it is. It is Counterpart of that I carried up last spring for you. I have never opened it & truly have lost my water keg in which it is contained. Save the keg for me, & don't let Gums, or Sublitte, & that set drink up the good liquor. You see there are to be great changes at Camp [2] Cooper, & our Infy friends are to be taken from us. I am sorry they are to be so far, but it may be a better place than where they are.
There is no news here. Col. Johnston it is supposed to go to Utah. Genl. [William S.] Harney to remain in Kansas. So probably in the Spring if we may all be halling out there after him. Hood has had a successful scout. He came up with a large party of indians near the 2nd Crossing of Devils river, killed 9, wounded 10 or 12, lost 2 of his own men, 2 horses, & had 4 men wounded. He [inserted: is] wounded himself in the hand.
I believe it is somewhere in the vicinity of the battle ground that Capt. Cladwell is to go with his command.
You know I have $15 belonging to McCarty reward from Thompson, the Acct: for which he pawned his (McCarty's) pistol. The Pistol at the time was redeemed by McNutty, who retained it, & while I was down at Fort B___, he disposed of it somehow, said he loaned it to a friend. Major Thomas, to whose command McNutty then belonged, took the matter in hand, but he has since told me that he found the transaction was so mixed up that among them, that he could not p___ bring charges against McNutty & so he let the matter drop. The result is that McCarty has lost his pistol & has $15. I wish you to pay it to him, & make him understand it is the amt. Recovered from Thompson by me, or he will think I have run off with the money. I enclose the money. Will you also pay Eagan the balance of $2.62 for taking care of my mare. I enclose check No 58, dated West Point 1 June 1857, of John Gibbon, to Francis Newlands, on the apt. Treasy of the U.S. New York City, for $17.62 made payable to your order. Please do not forget this. Your Godfather is well & as handsome as well. Tell Gabe I have bequeathed by hens to him. He must make them [inserted: lay] plenty of eggs for you & not let ""?" Compy decapitate them. Remember me kindly to all the officers. Very truly your friend
R. E. Lee
Capt. Evans of Clark