J. Bankhead Magruder to W. R. Boaes, September 1, 1863

Brig. Gen. W. R. Boaes, Chief of Staff, &e.:

GENERAL: I have received the orders of Lieutenant-General Smith of the 28th ultimo, informing me of the near approach of the enemy in four columns. I have received also, through Brigadier-General Bee, on the Rio Grande, intelligence of the contemplated invasion of this State by Lavaca to San Antonio and by the Sabine Pass, getting possession of Houston, which is at the ceuter of all the railroads and in the heart of the most valuable portion of this State. No troops other than those which I had already ordered can be spared from this part of the country without exposing the coast and all the coast country and the railroads tothe enemy; but, in obedience to the orders of the lieutenantgeneral, I will run the risk of this great danger, and detach to meet the enemy as many troops as can possibly be spared, concentrating them at Bonham, where I have already ordered all the cavalry and such of

196 W. FLA., S. ALA., 8S. MISS., L. A., TEX., N. MEX. [Cuar. XXXVIIIL

the infantry of the State troops as I can arm. If, however, this movement of the enemy in Northern Texas and Western Louisiana takes all or nearly all the troops from the coast, it must fall into the hands of the enemy, with all the railroads, a great many negroes, vast quantities of cotton and sugar, and will, I fear, be a severe blow to us. Nevertheless, I recognize the necessity of concentrating all of our means to beat the enemy in detail, and will do my best to accomplish it.

You say, ‘” You will move your headquarters to some point near the troops.” They are at present at Houston, the center of all the railroads leading to my troops; for three weeks past they have been with the troops at Galveston, and for some three weeks before that they were within 7 miles of the terminus of the Central Railroad, at Piedmont Springs, some 100 miles nearer Brigadier-General Bankhead. If the lieutenant-general will designate, and I hereby request him to do so, what point I shall occupy as my headquarters, I will select it with pleasure.

I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,