row, where he will meet my train and forage. I send you a copy of Major Nichols' letter of March 7. I presume Colonel Waite was not then aware of the orders you had issued by the authority of General Scott. Major Sibley is to come this way, as Major Vinton writes to him. I think all of the troops present should, if possible, embark at Brazos, or at the mouth of the river. Doctor L'Engle will come down to-morrow I suppose. The hospital steward (Bowie) I have not found. I sent him an order to report at this office (through Captain Stoneman). I have heard from neither. On my return I found Captain Stoneman had moved his camp out of town. I suppose he will go to Green Lake if he can get there. Major Sibley may be here in eight days. I shall have no guard after Captain Bowman leaves. If the information I send you induces any change please send me a note by expressman to-night, so as to reach me early to-morrow. I sent an express to Major Sibley yesterday. I shall know what medical officer is coming very soon. The provisions I will not send down until I hear from you. Very truly, yours, E. BACKUS, Lieutenant-Colonel Third Infantry, Commanding. P. S.-I have kept no copy of this. Bowie, the steward, is said to have deserted last night. E. B. HEADQUARTERS, Maj. W. A. NICHOLS, Camp on Green Lake, Tex., April 11, 1861. Assistant Adjutant-General, Hdqrs. San Antonio, Tex. MAJOR: The Empire City will doubtless sail to-morrow morning. Major Sibley still delaying, I have ordered Captain Johnson, Second Cavalry, with the Fort Mason garrison, to report to Major Shepherd. He will do so to-day, and, as the weather is very favorable, the troops will almost certainly embark to-morrow. Captain Johnson will return to camp in case Major Sibley arrives this evening. There will then be left here for the Star of the West, if Captain Johnson's command goes-Major Sibley's three companies, say 200 persons; Captain Granger's and Captain Wallace's companies, 141 persons; noncommissioned staff and band, First Infantry, 17 persons; Captain Jordan's company (D), Eighth Infantry, 45 persons; my company (A), Eighth Infantry, 52; total, 455. This number may be increased ten by the detached men and laundresses on the way. * ** Very respectfully, your obedient servant, LARKIN SMITH, Brevet Major, Commanding. Memorandum of movements in Texas. Lieutenant Collins left Washington March 20 with the original dis patches to Colonel Waite. Arrived at Powder Horn, Tex., at 8 a. m. March 29. Left an hour after for San Antonio, where Colonel Waite was. His dispatches were opened by Captain King, First Infantry, commanding at Indianola, and he then proceeded on to San Antonio. Lieutenant Bell started from Washington March 22. Arrived at Indianola at the same time with Lieutenant Collins, but had no com munication with him. His dispatches, containing the postscript added to the original addressed to Colonel Waite, were opened by Captain King and sent to Maj. Larkin Smith, at Green Lake. Major Smith immediately dispatched an officer with them to intercept Lieutenant Collins on his way to Colonel Waite, at San Antonio, with orders to deliver them in person if he missed Lieutenant Collins. Major Smith, in a letter of March 29 and in a memorandum, gives his reasons why the instructions in the dispatches could not be complied with, and why the embarkation of certain troops in readiness was not stopped: Unless he has organized one within a few days (three) Governor Houston nor any other executive authority has any force in arms in defense of the Federal Government. Should an intrenched camp be established near Indianola the troops yet to arrive, especially those to come from the remote posts, will have their supplies cut off and be subjected to opposition from the whole State. The only fresh water near Indianola is at Green Lake, about twenty miles off. There are no tools, ammunition, or horses with the six companies of cavalry. Colonel Waite has promised to carry out the agreement in good faith. All preparations are made to embark the companies on the steamer. If they should be delayed suspicions would arise among persons attached to the Southern Confederation on the spot; some officers and many men would leave. There was an officer (late of the U. S. Army, now of the Confederate, at Indianola) who had offered advanced rank to United States officers who would leave, and a change of plan would have turned those inclined to waver. It may be remarked that though the loss of such individuals might be small to the Government the disorganizing effect would be dangerous. The following companies of the Second Cavalry and First Infantry, under command of Captain King, First Infantry, left the wharf at Powder Horn at 10 a. in. the 30th March, and at 3 p. m. had nearly embarked on the steamship Coatzcoalcos: Cavalry, six companies, dismounted; infantry, three companies-King's, Caldwell's, and Carpenter's; in all, about 610 officers and men. The infantry companies of Captains Caldwell and Carpenter are to be landed at Key West. The steamships (transports) Empire City and Star of the West were off the pass. The U. S. steamer Mohawk (convoy) arrived off the pass at Indianola at 12 m. March 29 and took up a position to command the entrance. Maj. Larkin Smith remained encamped at Green Lake March 30, the only company left there. Colonel Waite writes at San Antonio, March 27: In case difficulty between the General Government and the seceding States should result in hostilities there is reason to apprehend that an attempt may be made to prevent the embarkation of the troops and to detain them as prisoners of war. This can only be effected by their seizing and removing all lighters, preventing transports of light draft entering the bay at Indianola, and by cutting off our supplies of provisions, &c. This is the colonel's reason for concentrating the troops at Green Lake. Colonel Waite reports that, besides the troops above enumerated, two companies Eighth Infantry and four companies Third Infantry were on their way to Green Lake, "and that probably before the end of the month (March) four additional companies will arrive at San Antonio on their way to Green Lake.* The remainder of the com *There were thirty-three companies in Texas. Seven companies would reach Green Lake by the 15th or 20th of April, as above.-[Inserted in red ink by General Townsend.] panies in this department will reach Green Lake by the 15th or 20th April, except seven companies of the Eighth Infantry stationed at Forts Bliss, Quitman, Davis, and Stockton, which cannot be at the coast and ready to embark before the first week in May." Lieutenant Bell states that the vessel laden with oil for the lighthouses on the coast of Texas which was seized some time ago by the Texas authorities had been released and allowed to depart. CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. THE STATE OF TEXAS, County of Travis: By virtue of the authority vested in the committee of public safety, as will appear by the accompanying resolutions, adopted by the convention of the people of the State of Texas, by their delegates in convention assembled, at the city of Austin, on the 28th day of January, 1861, you, Thomas J. Devine, Samuel A. Maverick, P. N. Luckett and J. H. Rogers, are hereby appointed commissioners to visit MajorGeneral Twiggs, commanding the Eighth Division, stationed at San Antonio, and confer with him, and in the name and by the authority of the people of Texas, in convention assembled, to demand, receive, and receipt for all military, medical, commissary, and ordnance stores, arms, munitions of war, and public moneys, &c., under his control, within the limits of the State of Texas, exercising all due discretion for the securing and safe-keeping of the same, to be held by you without loss or injury, subject to the orders of the committee of public safety, and in obedience to the provisions of such rules as the convention may prescribe. Witness my hand and the order of the committee of safety. Done at the city of Austin, this 5th day of February, 1861. Attest: JOHN C. ROBERTSON, Chairman of Committee of Public Safety. THOMAS S. LUBBOCK. [Inclosures.] Resolved by the people of the State of Texas by delegates in convention assembled, That should the standing committee of public safety deem it essential to the public safety to appoint commissioners, officers, or persons, in reference to taking possession of any of the Federal property within the limits of this State, they shall have power to appoint such and assign to them their duties, and give them instructions under which they shall act; but this power shall only extend to such cases in which the committee may deem prompt action and secrecy absolutely necessary. That a copy of this resolution, signed by the president of this convention, and the appointment and instructions signed by the Hon. J. C. Robertson, chairman of said committee, shall be full authority to the person or persons acting under the same, and a full justification for all acts done in pursuance thereof. Done by the people of Texas, in convention assembled, by their delegates, at the city of Austin, this 2d February, A. D. 1861. Attest: JOHN A. GREEN. O. M. ROBERTS, President of the Convention. Resolved, That Samuel A. Maverick, Thomas J. Devine, Philip N. Luckett, and James H. Rogers be appointed commissioners to confer with General D. E. Twiggs with regard to the public arms, stores, munitions of war, &c., under his control, and belonging to the United States, with power to demand in the name of the people of the State of Texas, and that said commissioners be clothed with full power to carry into effect the powers herein delegated, and retain possession of said arms, munitions, stores, &c., subject to the order of the convention of the people of the State of Texas, and report their acts and doings in the premises to the committee of public safety. I certify the foregoing to be a true copy of the resolution adopted by the committee of public safety on the 4th day of February, 1861. Witness my hand this 4th day of February, A. D. 1861. Attest: JOHN C. ROBERTSON, Chairman of Committee of Public Safety. THOMAS S. LUBBOCK. [BEN. MCCULLOCH:] AUSTIN, TEX., February 3, 1861. The committee do hereby appoint you, Ben. McCulloch, military officer, and order you to hold yourself in readiness to raise men and munitions of war whenever called on by the commissioners of San Antonio, and to be governed as directed by the secret instructions given said commissioners concerning said command; and you will station yourself at the residence of Henry E. McCulloch and await the communications of said commissioners or the committee of public safety. J. C. ROBERTSON, Chairman Committee of Public Safety. COMMITTEE ROOM, Austin, February 6, 1861. Messrs. SAMUEL A. MAVERICK, THOMAS J. DEVINE, PHILIP N. LUCKETT and JAMES H. ROGERS. GENTLEMEN: The resolution of the committee of public safety, by which you were appointed, gives the outline of your authority and duty. You are sensible that the trust reposed is of the highest responsibility and involves the most delicate and important duties. In the discharge of that trust you will be governed by the following instructions: First. You will repair immediately to San Antonio, the headquarters of General Twiggs, in command of this department. You will ascertain from him his sentiments in regard to the existing state of affairs and the position he intends to occupy in reference to the withdrawal of Texas from the Federal Union. If he informs you that he intends to remain in the service of the Federal Government and execute its orders against Texas no further friendly conference with him will be desirable, and you will be governed in your conduct as hereinafter instructed. But if, on the other hand, he should express a determination not to remain in the service of the Federal Government after the 4th of March next, then Second. You will learn from him the terms and conditions upon which he will render up to the people of Texas the arms and public property under his control in Texas; or, if he should suggest to you a plan for the peaceable accomplishment of that object you are directed to adopt and observe such suggestion, if deemed by you practicable, and act in accordance with it. If, however, he should decline suggesting any plan of action you will then- Third. Demand of him, in the name and by the authority of the sovereign people of the State of Texas, a surrender of all the arms of every description, including quartermaster's, commissary, ordnance, and medical stores, and military stores of every description, and money and everything else under his control, belonging to the Federal Government. Fourth. Should a display of force become necessary in order to make the demand, you will direct Col. Ben. McCulloch to call out and take the command of such force of the volunteer and minute men of the State as will be necessary for that purpose, and then repeat the demand; and then, if the demand should be complied with, you will take charge of everything turned over to you, taking a complete inventory and executing all necessary receipts. You will do everything in your power to avoid any collision with the Federal troops and to effect the peaceable accomplishment of your mission, and for this purpose he shall obey your instructions. Fifth. If General Twiggs should indicate a desire not to turn over to you such military stores, arms, and other public property until after the 2d of March next, but a readiness to do so then, you will then enter into an arrangement to the effect that everything under his command shall remain in statu quo until that period; that no movement, change of position, or concentration of the troops under his command will be allowed; that none of the arms, ordnance, commissary, or military stores or other property shall be removed or disposed of. If he refuses to make such arrangements you will see that no such movement, change, concentration, or removal shall take place, and you are authorized to use every means to prevent the same. Sixth. If after conferring with General Twiggs you should be of opinion that military force is necessary you will immediately proceed to assemble the same and communicate by express to this committee. Should the property be turned over to you, you will employ all the necessary clerks and other persons to take charge of the same. You will raise a military force of volunteers or minute men to guard the same safely while it shall be controlled by you. You are instructed to take the most special care that nothing shall be wasted or destroyed, but that everything be faithfully guarded and held for the use of the State and to be accounted for. Whatever military force that shall be raised must be kept in strict subordination, and no violation of person or property of any person must, under any circumstances, be allowed. If after your arrival at San Antonio circumstances shall occur which are not covered by the foregoing instructions you will immediately report to the committee for further orders, unless they be so urgent as not to admit of delay, in which event you must use your discretion, but immediately report your course of action. You will take all pains to ascertain the tone and temper of the officers and men of the Federal Army, and may give them the assurance of the influence of Texas in securing to them the same or higher grades in the service of the Southern Confederacy as those now held by them, if they are inclined to accept the same. Take every pains to conciliate them and attach them in sentiment to the cause of Texas and the South. You will avoid every appearance of making a proposal to General Twiggs or any other |