| Houston, Tex. |
| November 26, 1863 |
| |
| Col. W. R. Bradfute |
| Commanding Indianola, &c. |
| |
| Sir, |
| I have received your
communication announcing the advance of the enemy upon Saluria. |
| As soon as the commanding
general heard of the arrival of the enemy on the Rio Grande, orders
were sent to you for all the transportation to be accumulated in
Matagorda Bay, and when he heard of their arrival at Aransas Bay he
sent two regiments, Pyron's and Woods', to re-enforce you by way of
Matagorda, sending Lieutenant [J. Adair] Murray ahead to provide
transportation. These regiments were directed, in case no
transportation could be had at Matagorda, to proceed by forced
marches to Victoria, to which point Dashiell's battery has also been ordered. |
| A supply of ammunition was
sent by Colonel Pyron, and 20,000 caps by special courier via Texana
and Lavaca. Should Saluria fall. Colonel Pyron will secure all the
rolling-stock of the railroad at Victoria {San
Antonio & Mexican Gulf RR},
and, proceeding down the road as far as it may be safe, even to
Lavaca, if possible, will burn the cross-ties, and, putting the iron
over the fire, bend it, and thus render it useless, reporting to
General Bee if he be present, and falling back toward Columbus in
observation of the enemy if pursued. The security of your retreat
from Saluria depends upon your holding possession of the interior
navigation from toward Corpus [Christi] or
Matagorda Bay
. |
| Should you be threatened by
the light-draught gunboats of the enemy from toward Corpus
[Christi], you will assemble the light-draught steamers which you
have, with artillery and companies of sharpshooters, and place them
at the disposal of Commodore Leon Smith, to attack the enemy's
similar light-draught boats. He is sent down for the purpose of
commanding them and the [John F.] Carr. Major-General Magruder
trusts that you will afford him every facility that he may
require. |
| The commanding general
directs me to inform you that Brigadier-General Bee with his forces
has been ordered to
Victoria
. For fear he may not have received the orders, you will please send
him an order from the general commanding to Larco Creek, west, and
low down on the San Antonio
River, to proceed to your support with the utmost rapidity. |
| From the best information
received at these headquarters, the enemy does not number more than
3,000 men, but should his forces be as large as you have reported,
or should the fort become untenable for any other reason, you will
withdraw your garrison, guns, and stores at the first opportunity,
commencing at early dusk, spiking your heavy cannon, and destroying
what you cannot move, and take post at Victoria, securing the
rolling-stock and destroying the road, and informing General Bee, if
not with you, of the result, requesting him at the same time to join
you there. |
| Should you be forced to fall
back from
Victoria
, retreat toward Columbus, keeping in observation of the enemy. Report fully and frequently
to these headquarters. |
| By order of Major-General Magruder |
| Edmund P. Turner |
| Assistant Adjutant-General |
|