Col. O. M. Roberts, Confederate Military History, a library of Confederate States Military History: Volume 11.1, Texas
Clement Anselm Evans, Ed.

[81] in the quartermaster's department, placing him as a volunteer aide on my staff. I trusted to his charge all the steamers on the Sabine river and in the bayous emptying into Galveston bay, and at the same time directed that those on the Sabine should be fitted out forthwith. Learning subsequently that the enemy had landed at Galveston a considerable force (strength unknown), I direct. ed Capt. Leon Smith, without delaying preparations on the Sabine, to fit up as gunboats the steamers Bayou City and Neptune, and to employ two others as tenders for the purpose of supplying the larger vessels with wood. At the same time I received information that other Federal troops were on the way to Galveston. I therefore directed that the work on the last-mentioned steamer should be carried on night and day, and that captains and crews should be forthwith provided for them.

Fearing that the enemy might land troops at Galveston and fortify himself there, I determined to make the first attack at that point, with the object of destroying, in detail, his land forces as fast as they arrived. Captain Wier, who had first volunteered, was, therefore, with his company ordered from the Sabine on board the Bayou City. Captain Martin, commanding a company of cavalry, having arrived from New Iberia, La., volunteered his services and was likewise assigned to duty on board the same steamer. When the boats designated for the Galveston expedition were nearly ready I called for volunteers from Sibley's brigade, then stationed in the neighborhood under orders for Monroe, La. It is proper to state that I had previously ascertained that the services of these troops at Galveston would not delay a moment their departure for Louisiana, they being unable for want of transportation to move in that direction. This call was for 300 men. It was promptly responded to, Colonels Green and Bagby volunteering to lead the men of their respective regiments. After these officers had volunteered, Col. James Reily, commanding the brigade, also offered to lead the troops from his command, but his-services in that capacity were declined as he was then the brigade commander. About 60 men of Reily's regiment likewise volunteered, but they did not accompany the expedition, having been ordered back to their regiment by Colonel Reily, after having once reported to Colonel Green, who commanded the land force