H. P..bee to Joseph E. Johnston, August 24, 1863

[General JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON :]

My DEAR GENERAL: I have questioned three or four of the people who came over in the last flag-of-truce boat from New Orleans. They left that city on the 15th instant, and concur in the belief that the troops now assembled there, to the number of 20,000 to 35,000, are destined for an attack upon Mobile. I cannot learn that any other preparation is going on besides the assembling of the troops. No activity is reported in the navy. Grant was in Vicksburg on the 14th, for on that day he wrote me an autograph letter about Johnny Maurey. These people say he was believed to be at Pensacola incog. They report no troops on Ship Island excepting the small force which may be in the fort.

This morning I learn that a captain of a schooner which ran into Pascagoula on the 21st reports four regiments on Ship Island, and they state that they expect orders daily to march against Mobile. The strongest evidence that there is preparation to attack Mobile was in the memorandum I sent you, which was found on the person of a spy, Asa Weed, killed near Covington early in this month. I think it advisable to increase my force about Pascagoula, but have not the troops to spare; therefore, if you will send down at once one of the brigades now awaiting my call, I think it will be well to do so; they will probably be wanted here before very long, and the bay shore will be a healthful station for them and a cheerful variety.

It seems to me important that no more Alabama troops be sent here if others can be found equally available. The weak-kneed influence is now working in the two regiments which now make my garrison, and in the past two or three nights more than twenty desertions have occurred, due, I believe, to the despondency of their friends at home. I fear that the dark aspect of affairs at Oharleston, which our newspapers so industriously circulate, will not make my garrison more confident. There were one or two battalions or regiments of heavy artillery at Vicksburg and Suyder’s Bluff. Please let me have them here if exchanged in time; they were Louisianians, and doubtless have mostly gone home, but there are some splendid artillerists among them, and the year of alertness and frequent practice at Vicksburg made them very dexterous in sinking ships.

General, I believe we can and ought to hold Mobile. You know the enemy will land either at Pascagoula, 40 miles, or Portersville, 27 miles. A succoring force might come along the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, and operate against their line of communication from Citronelle, 30 miles above here. No other route seems practicable because of the want of supplies. The region west of the Mobile and Ohio road is a sandy, pine wilderness, almost adesert. The Mobile and Ohio road would enable us to have supplies of forage and subsistence at Citronelle or other suitable

oints. i Should an attempt be made to move from Pensacola toward Pollard, and from there to the Alabama River, the enemy will have a still longer. line to guard—80 miles. But hecan from Pensacola occupy points along the east shore of the bay, and I do not know how I can prevent him from doing so.

Leadbetter is going to thicken the parapets of the redoubts. The Yankees attach very great importance to the reservoir. We are entirely independent of it; it is within our lines, however.

Should it be necessary to send an officer here senior to me in rank, all ask is, be sure he isa gentleman. My preferences incline to Breckinridge, and I believe his Kentucky troops will endure a siege better than any Western troops except the Missourians or Texans.

I prefer decidedly to work out my own salvation—to win my own success at the hazard of my fall—but should the interests of the country require a man of higher rank to come here, do not hesitate to send him. If he is a gentleman, [ will serve under him as zealously as if I was working for my own glory and renown. I do not underrate an honest

180 W. FLA., 8. ALA., S. MISS., L. A., TEX., N. MEX. [Cuar. XXXVIIL

fane gained in this war, but 1 would not have credit won at the expense of any risk to our cause.

L desire very much to have the 20-pounder Parrott guns you spoke of. You thought you could spare me three of them.

General Rains has gone away with his gimeracks ; he was not at all practical; everything I received from him was vague and visionary. He was here about a week and did not commence work. The President ordered him to Charleston.

The subinarine boat sent to Charleston found that there was not water enough under the Ironsides for her to pass below her keel ; therefore, they decided to attix a spike to the bow of the boat, to drive the spike into the lronsides, then to back out, and by a string to explode the torpedo which was to be attached to the spike.* HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, Fort Brown, Tex., August 24, 1863.

Sir: Ll have the honor tu acknowledge receipt of your communication of the 14th.

All the powder has already been shipped to the interior. It goes as the property of the owners, and they will present the necessary papers at Houston to enable them to get their pay in cotton. Iam also sending to Alleyton all the public property here, and there will be but little remaining in a few days. The two 24-pounders are still here, and very much in my way. I desire to use them if the enemy comes, but will probably lose them should he come in force, as there is no transportation that could then be relied on.

I find it impossible to retain the troups at this place; the sickness increases, and they must go to sanitary camps. The presence of troops is required along the whole line of the Rio Grande to prevent smuggling of cotton, as there is a good deal of it being attempted.

There are no rumors of speedy invasion at this place. Some deserters from the Federal navy say that they intend to attack Galveston on the Ist of September. I shall be informed of a contemplated attack here, as the commercial intercourse between New Orleans and Matamoras 18 principally in the hands of our friends.

The gunboats of the enemy are still off the mouth; the commanding officer remarked that he ould remain until the 10th of next month.

I am anxiously expecting some news of the French, and should I ascertain that they will not arrive here until after the sickly season, I trust that the commanding general will order ine to return to the interior, and give me a command in the field suited to my rank. I believe I may do some good should the French come to Matamoras, otherwise there is no necessity for my remaining here, as the cotton business is how systematically arranged by Major Russell, and my presence not necessary in Connection with it; my force is too small to make any successtul defense, and I do notaspire to lead a retreat. Will the general write me particularly on this subject

Should the enemy advance by way of Saluria, it will be evident that their intention is to go to San Antonio, succeeding in which, they cut off the trade to the Rio Grande effectually, and the few cavalry which IT could gather together should, in my opinion, be withdrawn from the

* This letter incomplete,

Rio Grande. It would be very beneficial, if we had the troops, to keep a regiment out here to prevent guerrilla excursions from Mexico, but, as indicated in a previous letter, my judgment is that we should concentrate. A comparatively small force of the enemy may come to Brownsville, but they will never attempt to invade us by that route, nor attempt to hold 400 miles of this river, when the same object can be obtained in a march of 130 miles from Lavaca to San Antonio.

I have established the most friendly and useful relations with Governor Ruiz, and if time is allowed by the enemy, I hope to be more successful in obtaining arms than J have heretofore been. The arms sent by Captain Da Ponte, if they escape the dangers of the sea, will get into my hands without difficulty, but with some expense.

With great respect, your obedient servant,