Brigadier-General to Edmund P. Turner, August 14, 1863

Capt. EDMUND P. TURNER, Assistant Adjutant-General, Houston, Tex.:

CAPTAIN: By the arrival from New Orleans of persons who can be trusted, I am informed that there is no doubt of the invasion of Texas as soon as the sickly season is over, and of the occupation by the naval forces of the enemy of our coast towns, except perhaps Galveston, which will be reduced by a land attack by way of Berwick Bay and the Sabine, destined first for Houston.

As all this seems probable, although not charged with the defense of the coast nor the disposition of the troops, I trust I will not transcend the line of my duty when I respectfully suggest that the troops on the islands near Corpus Christi be withdrawn to the mainland, and the defensive works contemplated thereat be suspended, inasmuch as there will not be time left for their completion.

It seems to me that it will be impossible for the necessarily small force which can be spared to garrison those works to sustain themselves against any serious attack by the enemy. In a word, my belief is that to successfully repel this invasion the troops must be concentrated on a line of defense, and a temporary sacrifice of a portion of the country be made.

It is further my belief, from the information I have, that the effort to cut off the Rio Grande trade will be made not upon this point, but through Lavaca to San Antonio. The country west of the San Antonio River will then necessarily be lost to us for a time. Fortunately, it is but sparsely settled, and only adapted to stock, which can be driven off. In my opinion, defenses should be erected and depots of supplies be established at Beaumont, Liberty, Houston, and Columbus, giving us thereby the line of railroad as a line of defense.

An invasion from Kansas at the same time is not improbable, but this from its nature cannot be more than a series of cavalry raids. Still, a strong force will be required in the northeast to meet it.

If this communication is not warranted by my position toward the major-general commanding, it will, I trust, be attributed to my great desire to successfully repel the invasion of my State, and to no less worthy motive.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,