SPECIAL ORDERS,
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF TEXAS, &c., Numbers 336.
Houston, December 11, 1863.

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XXVI. The following will be the organization of the brigade commanded by Colonel James Duff, Thirty- third Texas Cavalry:*

Colonel Duff's regiment, Thirty- third Texas Cavalry.

Colonel Hobby's regiment, Eighth Texas Infantry.

Captain Creuzbaur's light battery to be temporarily substituted by Dashiell's battery.

Captain Greer's battery light artillery.

Six companies State troops, as follows:

Captain Weston's company, Captain Borden's company, Captain Rielly's company, Captain Patton's (two) companies infantry.

The brigade commanded by Colonel Buchel will be [attached] to the above, which, with the artillery attached, will constitute the First Division, and will be under the command of Brigadier- General Bee.

The command of Colonel Bates, and the State troops now at Velasco and en route for that place, will be added, should Velasco be evacuated. Luckett's and Debray's brigades together will constitute the Second Division, and will be under the command of Brigadier General J. E. Slaughter.

The rest of the troops will be organizxed into brigades according to convenience and localities.

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XXVIII. Colonel Debray will march with his regiment, and order Gould's regiment and the artillery of his brigade to march by forced marches to Columbia. He will leave his wagons and subsist on the country, so as to move fast. He will send the substance of this to Colonel Buchel, and, if he can communicate with Moseley's or Hughes battery, he will turn it also to Columbia. These officers herein named will be governed by these instructions.

XXIX. Colonel Brown will return, and dispute the passage of the enemy at Bernard River by placing his command between the river and Velasco. If he cannot prevent his crossing, fighting him to Velasco, re- enforcements will be sent him day after to- morrow, and more afterward.

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XL. Commodore Smith will proceed forthwith to Galveston, and take command of all the naval forces in the vicinity of that point.

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XLII. * * * Brigadier- General Slaughter will cause the works at Virginia Point to be put in order for the defense of the place with the utmost rapidity.

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By command of Major- General Magruder:

EDMUND P. TURNER,
Assistant Adjutant- General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF,

Mobile, Ala., December 12, 1863.

Colonel B. S. EWELL,

Assistant Adjutant- General, Meridian, Miss.:

COLONEL: Please ask General Johnston to send me all the heavy artillerists from the Vicksburg and Port Hudson armies as fast as they

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*But see General Orders, Numbers 217, of December 15, p. 509.

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