Josiah Gorgas to E. Kirby Smith, July 22, 1863

Lieut. Gen. E. KIRBY SMITH, Commanding Trans-Mississippt Department :

GENERAL: It has been concluded to send one of the vessels of the War Department direct from Bermuda to Texas, with arms for the Trans-Mississippi generally, and especially for the Department of Texas.

Mr. Mohl, who brought to me General Magruder’s letter recommend- ing purchase of steamer and arms in Europe, with your indorsement approving the project, returns to the headquarters of Geneval Magruder, with instructions in relation to the repletion of the steamer and cargo on the coast of Texas.

Unless some unforeseen contingency intervenes, you may rely on the reception of from 8,000 to 12,000 stand of arms on the coast of Texas during the next three months, a portion of them, I trust, within six weeks. It may not be improper to add that steps had been taken previous to the reception of the letter; instructions had been sent to our agents in Europe to arrange for the shipment of a cargo of arms direct into Texas. These instructious remain in force.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,