OR, Series 1, Vol. 15, Page 143

Hdqrs Sub-Military District of Houston
Beaumont, Tex., September 25, 1862
 
Capt. C. M. Mason
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, &c.
 
Captain,
   I have the honor to report that I received to-day at 7 a.m. An express from Beaumont, bearer of a verbal message, that one gunboat and three or four transports had entered the Sabine; that Major Irvine, commanding at Sabine Pass, applied for assistance from the people of Beaumont and Liberty, and that the messenger from Sabine Pass had heard at 8 or 10 miles from that place a heavy cannonade. Major Irvine has at the fort near Sabine Pass only 30 men, and about 25 mounted men 3½ miles from the fort.
   *****
   Meanwhile, in order to be ready to meet the enemy, should he have attempted a landing or foray up the river, I ordered Wilson's light battery and the available men of Griffin's battalion, garrisoned here (80 men), to start at once by an extra train for Beaumont {on the Texas & New Orleans RR}. They left at 1 p.m. to-day. I sent an express to Colonel Elmore at Hempstead to move with his regiment to Houston {down the Houston & Texas Central RR} by an extra train which I sent to him. I expect them to-night, and should the reports which I await by the Beaumont train at 5 o'clock confirm the news of the presence of the enemy, I shall start with that regiment for Sabine Pass to-night by a train {on the Eastern Texas RR} which I ordered to be kept in readiness. I have also ordered a train to be ready on the Buffalo Bayou, Brazos & Colorado Railroad to start, if necessary, to take a squadron of Debray's regiment at the same time that the rest of the regiment shall move on along the railroad, to take transportation so soon as it can be sent to them. I cannot draw troops from Galveston, which I will not leave unprotected.
   8.30 P. M.  The Orange train {of the Texas & New Orleans RR} has arrived without any further news, except the report of heavy cannonading this morning in the direction of Sabine Pass. Elmore's regiment arrived at 6 p.m., 700 strong. This, the men of Griffin's battalion, and some citizens of Liberty and Beaumont, said to have moved forward, will give me a force of about 900 men, exclusive of Wilson's battery. I start at 12 o'clock to-night with Elmore's regiment.
   ***** Debray's regiment is still near Alleyton {on the Buffalo Bayou, Brazos & Colorado RR} and might be called. I have not ordered it to move.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
X. B. Debray
Colonel, Commanding Sub-Military District of Houston, Tex.

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