Edmund P. Turner to Hamilton P. Bee, June 4, 1863

Brig. Gen. H. P. BEE, Commanding Western Sub-Distrigt :

Sir: I am instructed by Major-General Magruder to direct that you cause Colonel See Buchel’s regiment and Colonel [P. C.] Woods’ regiment to be halted and placed in camp near King’s ranch. Colonel Buchel will be placed in charge of this camp, and will be directed to so conduct it that these regiments will be well disciplined and in good order for field service. This camp will obtain supplies of beef from the adjacent country.

The general desires you to make arrangements at once for flour and other necessary articles to be supplied to those troops through Messrs. Stillman, Kennedy & King, at Brownsville, if this has not already been done by them, with a view of supplying the troops on the march.

This is an eligible position for these two regiments, for the reason that they can be returned to Brownsville, or any point on the Rio Grande at which they may be needed, on short notice. The general instructs me to say that should these regiments be needed in the Eastern Sub-District, they can be transported by the inland navigation to Matagorda from Corpus Christi, unless the enemy cut our communication on the bay between these two places. The fact that the enemy has crossed the Mississippi precludes the probability of these regiments being needed in this sub-district, to be thrown across to Louisiana, for some time.

The general directs that you order Col. P. N. Luckett, commanding Third Texas Infantry, to proceed with his regiment to Navasota, Tex., nud report to Acting Brig. Gen. 8S. P. Bankhead, at Bonham, for the purpose of assisting in repelling an invasion of the enemy, now anticipated, into the wheat-growing country in north and northeastern part of the State.

In regard to yourself, the general desires you to remain on the Rio

See Series I, Vol, XV, pp. 396-400.

Grande, and attend to the matters suggested in your communication of the 22d ultimo. I am, general,

very respectfully, your obedient servant,