Saml. Boyer Davis to J. B. Likens, November 9, 1861

Maj. J. B. LIKENS, Commanding Battalion, Sabine Pass, Tex. :

SIR: The commanding general has directed me to instruct you to be – extremely vigilant at Sabine Pass, in order to foil any attempt on the.

* Probably those of October 24, p. 128. í pas

SEA TOT e AI E P EUN SM “4x diu:

part of the enemy to surprise your post, with a view of destroying the guns now on their way to this plaee. On yesterday morning, between

the hours of 2 and 3 o’clock, they were successful in surprising and capturing the erew of the schooner Royal Yacht, then in Bolivar Channel. . Special Orders, No. 105, instructs you to make a daily report to this office of all information obtained through your scouts or otherwise, the dispatches being carried by your scouts to the point where they will meet the scouts from Bolivar Point. You willindorse on the envelope : “To be forwarded instantly on its receipt, day or night,” and be particular in your instructions to the bearer of dispatches, in case your information should be of moment to the commanding general. Your scout- ing parties should be of sufficient strength to scout during the whole

night, and be strung along the beach from Sabine to the point where you_will meet the scouts from this end.

You will inform this office of your success in filling your battalion, and state how many companies you have now mustered into the service, and the progress of those in process of formation.

I inclose a paragraph from one of our papers, containing the particulars of the surprise on board the Yacht. I have the honor. to be,

very respectfully, your obedient servant,