Stephen D. Yancey to Hamilton P. Bee, September 1, 1863

Brig. Gen. H. P. BEE, Commanding Western Sub-District :

GENERAL: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your several communications dated from 14th to 24th August, inclusive, all of which have received the earnest consideration of the major-general commanding, who has instructed me to reply as follows: He fully appreciates your patriotism and the valuable services you have rendered our cause, and desires to assure you of his entire confidence in your judgment and discretion. In regard to your letters relative to the contemplated invasion of Texas, I am directed to inform you that Niblett’s Bluff, Orange, Beaumont, Liberty, Houston, and Columbus have already been made depots of supplies; some of them are already fortified and being fortified.

Troops are in the Northern Sub-District, marching under General Bankhead to the relief of General Steele, and more have been ordered to that quarter.

General H. E. McCulloch has been placed in command of the Northern Sub-District by Lieutenant-General Smith.

The forts at Aransas have been ordered to be discontinued, and the hills there must be made to assume the appearance of a strong fort, and there must be some guns as well as troops kept there until the enemy will probably arrive, say November or December, when the islands can be evacuated, if necessary. Saluria must be defended; otherwise Galveston will be turned and the troops caught. The troops at Brownsville will be safe for a long time after the enemy land at Corpus Christi or Lavaca, as he will require time to move, and can be watched.

You will see by this, general, that the major-general commanding has not failed to give these important matters his attention. As regards our foreign relations, he leaves the course to be pursued by you in your intercourse with the French entirely to the discretion and wisdom which have heretofore characterized your conduct both toward that nation and the Mexicans. I am also directed to state to you, general, what will doubtless be a pleasant fact, that Brig. Gen. J. E. Slaughter, recently on duty in Mobile, has been ordered to the Rio Grande, and as soou after his arrival as you have made him thoroughly acquainted with the situation and the duties incumbent on the commanding general of that frontier, and inform the general of that fact, he will relieve you, and order you to some point (such as you may designate) more contiguous to the bulk of your command.

The important points of your communication have been communicated to the lieutenant-general commanding.

In conclusion, the general begs that you will accept his sincere thanks for the energy and fidelity with which you have performed your duty.

very respectfully, your obedient servant,