E. K. Kirby Smith to J. B. Magruder, September 7, 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 4th instant.

My letter in reply to your communication of the 1st instant answers most of the points in yours of the 4th. The State troops organizing in the Northern Sub-District, with a small force of more reliable troops, must suffice for the protection of that district. Griffin’s battalion, Gould’s regiment, and the battery referred to by you might well be ordered to Bonham, but do not further weaken the force to be relied on for the defense of the Sabine and coast. Pyron’s regiment, under the orders from these headquarters, will return to Louisiana when reorganized. I shall not require it to be dismounted, but discipline and example both demand the return of that regiment. They may not remain with Major-General Taylor, but their return is necessary to the maintenance of subordination in his army.

I agree with you in your views of the relative importance of the different sections of your district. I place probably a higher importance than you do on the holding of the Rio Grande. It is our base of supplies. Yet, as great a disaster as its loss would be to us, I see no adequate means of defending it should the enemy organize any large expedition by water for its occupation.

Should an invasion of Texas from New Orleans be contemplated this winter, an expedition may be sent toeither Point Isabel or Lavaca, with the Rio Grande or San Antonio for their objective points, or a column may invade the State by Brashear City and Niblett’s Bluff, having Houston and the railroad system of Texas for its objective points. General Taylor’s disposition of his troops looks to a concentration in the Valley of the Red River, which is the natural and an easy line of operations for an invading column from Lower Louisiana.

Should the enemy take the route by the coast and Niblett’s Bluff, which is destitute of supplies and almost impassable for wagons in winter, General Taylor will be in position on their flank to strike a decisive blow and aid you in the defense which is offered to them in front.

Your assurances as to the speedy reception of arms within the dis- trict are truly encouraging. Their arrival is a vital necessity,and would encourage the people more than any other fact that could be presented to them. We have the men, if we only had the arms, to defend the department.

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