Lieutenant-General Smith to W. R. Scurrry, May 14, 1863

Brig. Gen. W. R. ScurRRY, Commanding Eastern Sub-District of Texas, Houston:

GENERAL: At the last information received from General Taylor, he was prepared to evacuate Natchitoches. General Banks, with a column estimated at 28,000, was pressing up the valley of the Red River. General Taylor has but a handful of men under his command. The re-enforcements expected from Arkansas cannot arrive in time to effect a junction with General Taylor at Shreveport, and, in all probability, the valley of the Red River up to Jefferson will fall into the hands of the enemy.

The enemy are acting in a most ruthless manner; their avowed dletermination is to prevent the raising of crops in the valley of the Rwd should be made to suffer for their temerity in venturing so far from their base. Should they reach this section, Western Texas will be endangered. All the infantry force ordered to Niblett’s Bluff, with all the disposable force throughout the district of Texas, should be concentrated at Nacogdoches, or at some point in that vicinity, where supplies can be collected for their subsistence and where they threaten Banks’ communication. The people of Western Texas should be organized into minute companies; the danger is great and near at hand, and no effort should be spared in your district to meet the emergency. If Major-General Magruder has returned, it will be well for him to use his influence and popularity in stirring up the people throughout the State, and he had better take command of the force, if he can organize one, which concentrates at Nacogdoches.

By command of Lieutenant-General Smith :