Unknown to Epmunnd P. Turner, June 24, 1863

‘ Houston, June 24, 1863. Capt. EpmuNnD P. TuRNER, Assistant Adjutant-General, Houston, Tex.: CAPTAIN: In compliance with Special Orders, No. 164 (Paragraph XII), Headquarters District of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, Houston, June 18, 1863, 1 have the honor to report the following as the present condition of the gunboat fleet: There are no gunboats on the station at Galveston; the Bayou City and Diana both at Harrisburg, awaiting orders, and ready to steam up at a moments notice. The Bayou City has no armament. I trust orders may issue to provide her with guns at the earliest moment. The Diana has two brass 24-pounder howitzers, 50 rounds ammunition, in charge of Lieutenant [H.] Connor, and detachment of 20 men of Company B, Cook’s regiment artillery. The Uncle Ben is engaged in removing obstructions at the mouth of -the Sabine River. She is armed with two 12-pounder iron guns, 70 rounds ammunition ; one 12-pounder mountain howitzer, 43 rounds ammunition, in charge of Captain [K. D.] Keith, Company B, Spaight’s battalion. The J. H. Bell, at Sabine Pass, has one 24-pounder iron gun, tain [I*. H.] Odlum, Company F, Cook’s regiment artillery. These men are well drilled and disciplined. There is not sufficient space on the deck of the Uncle Ben to maneuver the two 12-pounder iron guns to advantage. I would respectfully request that, if possible, another gun be substituted; also, if practicable, long-range guns may be ordered to the J. H. Bell and Bayou City. The efficiency of all the boats would be greatly increased if it is possible to furnish them guns of heavier metal and longer range than those they now have in position. The steamboats John F. Carr and Mary Hill are being fitted up at Lynchburg for service in Matagorda Bay. They will be ready in a few days. 82 W. FLA., 8. ALA., 8. MISS., L. A., TEX., N. MEX. [Cwar. XXXVIIL {Indorsement. ] Why are both the gunboats, Bayou City and Diana, at Harrisburg? What number of men, what ammunition, and what small-arms are on board, or attached to each of the gunboats? There are no long-range or heavier guns to be spared for these boats, except the Nicholl guns, which may be used for this purpose on the gunboats in Galveston Bay. Major Mason will cause this to be done without delay; suitable detachments detailed. I will see that they are well drilled at these Nicholl guns, and will report upon the same as soon as they are so drilled, reporting, in the meantime, his progress in carrying out this order. J. BANKHEAD MAGRUDER, Major-General, Commanding. Abstract from morning report of the cavalry and mounted infantry, Col. John L. Logan, C. S. Army, commanding, for June 25, 1863; headquarters, near Clinton, La. * . ~ Present for 3 i & A duty. es re oar le z Ba $ ine BR ‘ Oo 2 Command. y a g 2 Qa E – & gz s gipyec SBA Es & © & oo eo } he Bd 4

Hpagrs. Dist. oF TEXAS, NEW MEXICO, AND ARIZONA,