J. Bankhead Magruder to Major-General TAYLOR, September 10, 1863

Beaumont, Tex.. September 10, 1863. Major-General TAYLOR, Commanding Dist. of Western Louisiana, Alexandria :

GENERAL: Ihave the honor to state that the enemy appeared on the morning of the 8th instant off Sabine Pass, with twenty-two vessels and a force supposed to be at least 15,000, commanded by Major-General Franklin, and several vessels, coming inside the bar, engaged the battery at the Pass.

He was repulsed with the loss of two steamers, the Clifton and Sachem, and thirteen guns, together with about 350 prisoners. He has disappeared, and it is supposed has gone to the Calcasieu.

If this be so, and there is every reason to believe that it is, from the testimony of prisoners, as well as evidence which has fallen into our hands, it is evident to my mind that your forces should be brought forward to Niblett’s Bluff. Ihave, therefore, to request that you concentrate your forces as rapidly as possible at Niblett’s Bluff. With the assistance which I may be able to lend, by our combined efforts we may crush the enemy at a blow, but unless this be done the enemy will ascend the Calcasieu, the communication between us will be broken, and Lower Louisiana lost; and the State of Texas may be a prey to the enemy, who will in all probability push forward, and may succeed in getting possession of Houston, and thus reducing Galveston. I have written to Brigadier-General Mouton, supposed to be at Vermillionville, requesting him to concentrate his brigade at Niblett’s Bluff, in order that we may co-operate.

The prisoners state that the object of this expedition is to cut off your retreat by getting possession of Niblett’s Bluff and throwing forces across to Alexandria.

I think that a concentration of your forces at Niblett’s Bluff, with such troops as I can furnish, will defeat his plans.

very respectfully, your obedient servant,