Letter

E. K. Kirby Smith to J. B. Magruder, June 23, 1863

Author

E. K. Kirby Smith

Recipient

J. B. Magruder

Date

June 23, 1863

Type

Letter

HEADQUARTERS TRANS-MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT,

Shreveport, La., June 23, 1863.

Maj. Gen. J. B. MAGRUDER, Commanding District of Texas, &c., Houston, Tex.:

GENERAL: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th instant.

It is very important to the interests of the Government, and especially to the interests of this department, that the cargo of the Sea Queen be secured, if it consists of munitions of war. You will, therefore, impress a sufficient quantity of cotton to secure her cargo, if you ascertain it consists of munitions of war, and have it transported to the Rio Grande as soon as practicable.

In all cases where the exigencies of the service make it necessary in your district to resort to impressment, you will make impressments in accordance with the act, without first referring the matter to these headquarters.

I have the honor to be, general, your obedient servant,

E. K. KIRBY SMITH,
Lieutenant-General, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS WESTERN SuUB-DISTRICT OF TEXAS,

Editor's Notes

From: Operations in West Florida, Southern Alabama, Southern Mississippi, Louisiana, 1862–63, Pt. 1. Location: Shreveport, La.. Summary: Lieutenant-General E. K. Kirby Smith instructs Major General J. B. Magruder to secure and transport the Sea Queen's cargo of munitions by impressing cotton as collateral without prior approval.

Topics

1863 Civil War Field Reports Military Correspondence Military Operations

Sources

The War of the Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 26, Part 1 View original source ↗