Unknown to S. CooPER, Richmond, June 17, 1863

General S. CooPER, Richmond: GENERAL: I have the honor to forward herewith Major-General Taylor’s report of the operations of his forces in Northern Louisiana, from the 3d to the 8th of June. I respectfully call the attention of the War Department to the ability and energy displayed by that gallant officer in the discharge of his duties as district commander. Major-General Walker’s division, Tappan’s brigade, together with Colonel [Isaac F.] Harrison’s and Colonel [Frank A.] Bartlett’s commands of cavalry, are still in the country opposite Vicksburg. MajorGeneral Taylor, with his forces in Lower Louisiana, is personally superintending the operations on this side of the Mississippi for the relief of Port Hudson. He has been instructed to throw provisions into Port Hudson and Vicksburg whenever it is possible to do so. Under my instruction, he has placed himself in communication with General Johnston, and he will use every effort to co-operate with him in his operations for the defense and relief of Vicksburg and Port Hudson. E. KIRBY SMITH, LTieutenant-General, Commanding. HpDQRS. DISTRICT OF TEXAS, NEW MEXICO, AND ARIZONA, Houston, Tex., June 17, 1863. Brigadier-General BEE, Commanding Western Sub-District: Sir: [am instructed by Major-General Magruder to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 12th of June, 1863, and in reply 72 W. FLA., 8. ALA., 8. MISS., L. A., TEX., N. MEX. (Cuar. XXXVIIL to state that you will come no farther east, but will remain at King’s ranch, unless you have advanced beyond that place. If so, and are near Goliad, you will remain at Goliad. The general has sent to you, by express (special messenger), orders on two occasions to remain on the Rio Grande, as he wished you to remain at Fort Brown. He is astonished that neither of these orders has reached you, and regrets it much. I have the honor to inclose a copy of a letter of this date, addressed to Col. P. N. Luckett, supposed to be at or near Columbus, Tex. I also send a copy of an order given Major [John E.] Garey, quartermaster at Alleyton.* You will await further orders at King’s ranch, if you are not at Goliad. The general wishes you to send a courier, acknowledging receipt of this order, directly through to him at Houston. EDMUND P. TURNER, Assistant Adjutant-General. [P. S.J—The general wishes you to state why the orders directing you to remain on the Rio Grande have not been complied with. [Inclosure. ]

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