public property under the command of the officer in San Antonio to be delivered over to the undersigned, the troops to retain their side arms, camp and garrison equipage, and the facilities for transportation to the coast, to be delivered on their arrival at the coast. This morning we effected an arrangement with General Twiggs by which it is agreed that all forts in Texas shall forthwith be delivered up, the troops to march from Texas by way of the coast, the cavalry and infantry to retain their arms, the artillery companies being allowed to retain two batteries of light artillery of four guns each, the neces sary means of transportation and subsistence to be allowed the troops on their march toward the coast, all public property to be delivered up. We might possibly have retained the guns at Fort Duncan by a display of force, which display of force would have cost the State eight times the value of the batteries of light artillery. Your instructions, however, counseled avoiding collision with the Federal troops if it could be avoided, General Twiggs having repeatedly asserted in the presence of the military commission and ourselves that he would die before he would permit his men to be disgraced by a surrender of their arms; that the men under his command had never been dishonored or disgraced, and they never should, if he could help it. By this arrangement at least $1,300,000 of property will belong to the State, the greater portion of which would be otherwise destroyed or squandered. By this arrangement we are freed, without bloodshed or trouble, from the presence of the Federal troops. They cannot go to New Mexico or Kansas to fix freesoilism on the one, or to be the nucleus of a Northern army on the other, to menace our frontier in the future. The labor performed by the undersigned in the business undertaken by them has been neither light nor pleasant. We have adhered to the letter and the spirit of our instructions, and exercised our discretion only when it became absolutely necessary. We had some anxious hours resting upon us from the time the volunteer force commenced closing around the city until after the surrender of the posts held by the U. S. troops. Our force must have been, at 8 a. m., not less than 1,100 men under arms; and a more respectable looking or orderly body of men than the volunteer force it would not be easy to find. We have taken measures to secure the public property, and have authorized Maj. Sackfield Maclin, paymaster, U. S. Army, and who, as you will perceive by the army list, stands high upon the same, to act as adjutant and inspector general and chief of ordnance, combining the business of three departments in one. This economizes expense and gives the State for the present the services of a man competent to the duties assigned him, capable of preventing the confusion and consequent loss that would fall upon the State by the appointment of an incompetent person. Major Maclin is a true Southern man; he resigns his commission in the Federal Army, giving up an income from that Government of nearly $4,000 per annum. We address him as colonel, for the purpose of giving him an honorable stand in his expectations or claims upon the Southern Confederacy in some future military appointment. His appointment by the undersigned lasts until set aside by you or the convention's order. Please let us know whether you approve of this action. Captain Reynolds has been acting as assistant quartermaster at San Antonio. He will resign his commission as captain in the U. S. Army. We have, for the same reasons set forth in Major Maclin's case, 3 R R-SER II, VOL I appointed him chief quartermaster, and have combined with the former duties the labor of the commissary department, which has heretofore had a first and second assistant commissary. We have likewise consolidated with his duties the office of military storekeeper, narrowing down the expense as much as possible. A building rented by the United States Government as a commissary department, soldiers' quarters, general staff, &c., we have determined to release the State from any liability for, as the commissary stores can be stored in the Alamo buildings; said buildings rent for $6,000 a year. In furnishing the U. S. troops transportation facilities, the officers representing the State will be busily employed for some time. When we can obtain a breathing spell we will go into further details. We will select agents to give receipts and hold the public property left at the posts until otherwise directed. We remain, respectfully, &c., THOMAS J. DEVINE, P. N. LUCKETT, Commissioners on behalf of the Committee of Public Safety. HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE DIVISION, STATE FORCES, Hon. J. C. ROBERTSON, San Antonio, Tex., [February 18, 1861]. Chairman of Committee of Public Safety. SIR: On the receipt of the order of the commissioners calling on me to raise men for the purpose of securing the property, arms, &c., of the United States at San Antonio, immediately I proceeded to take such steps to collect such a force as would be sufficient to accomplish the purpose. To Texans a moment's notice is sufficient when their State demands their services. On the night of the 15th instant, by 12 o'clock, a force of near 400 men from the adjacent counties had assembled on the Salado. At 3 a. m. 16th we took up the line of march for the city. At 4 o'clock, when near the suburbs, ninety men were ordered to dismount and enter the city on foot, when I posted them in such positions as commanded those occupied by the Federal troops. The main body came in on horseback. At daylight several volunteer companies of San Antonio turned out promptly and co-operated with us to aid the State. Orders were given to the troops under my command not to fire until fired upon. In a very short time it was ascertained that no resistance would be offered. The Federal troops were requested to keep within their quarters until the commissioners should agree upon the terms by which the arms and other property of the Federal Government should be surrendered to the State. This was decided by the commissioners and General Twiggs before 12 in. Wherefore I instantly informed the forces under my command of the fact, and of there being no necessity for their remaining away from their plows and other peaceful avocations. They left immediately for their homes, conscious of having rendered service to their State and giving offense to no one save her enemies. To make distinctions where all acted so nobly would be as unwise as unjust; but I cannot refrain from expressing my thanks to all for their gallant and prompt response to the call of their State and my admiration for their orderly conduct whilst we held the city. Having performed the duty assigned me by the inclosed order,* I now report myself ready to perform such service as shall be assigned me by your committee or the commissioners appointed by you. The commissioners have very kindly relieved me from many duties common to officers commanding, it being my duty only to organize and command such forces as may be necessary to secure and guard the public property in my division in charge of persons appointed by the commissioners to receive the same from the Federal officers. I have this day appointed W. T. Mechling my assistant adjutant-general, with the rank of captain. His Excellency JEFF. DAVIS: BEN. MCCULLOCH, Colonel, Commanding. NEW ORLEANS, February 25, 1861. We have reliable information that the U. S. troops from Texas are to pass through this city. Shall they be allowed to land? A large number of the officers and men can probably be secured for your service. Please advise me on the subject. General Twiggs was ordered to turn over the command to Colonel Waite, a Northern man, but preferred surrendering to Texas. BRAXTON BRAGG, Major-General, Commanding. WAR DEPARTMENT, Montgomery, February 25, 1861. Maj. Gen. BRAXTON BRAGG, Commanding, New Orleans. SIR: Your dispatch of this date to the President has been received, and in reply he instructs me to say that the question submitted for consideration is not altogether free from difficulty. The circumstances of the case are peculiar and exceptional, and must be disposed of in a spirit of liberal courtesy. It seems, therefore, to the President, if there was a formal capitulation by the troops of the United States or an informal understanding with the authorities of Texas upon which they acted, either in the surrender or abandonment of the forts, that they should have peaceful exit through the territories of the Government. This understanding should be carried out in good faith, upon their verbal assurance that their sole object is to reach the territory of the United States, and not to disturb the property or peace of any of the States of this Government through which they may pass, or to possess or occupy any of the forts, arsenals, or other property of this Government within these States. Should this assurance be refused, it will be your duty to arrest their progress, and keep them below Forts Jackson and Saint Philip until further ordered. The President instructs me to add that he has entire confidence in your discretion and prudence, and feels satisfied that, whilst you scrupulously guard the honor and rights of this Government, you will do no act unnecessarily to precipitate a war. Should any of the officers or men desire to enlist in the service of this Government, it would be proper and right, and altogether acceptable, to receive them. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, *See p. 30 for instructions of McCulloch. Hon. JOHN H. REAGAN. SAN ANTONIO, TEX., February 25, 1861. DEAR SIR: Inclosed you will find the order of General Twiggs.* I send it that you may see what sort of spirit prevails in the army here, from General Twiggs down, with one or two exceptions. They will do nothing to benefit the South. This order itself is an insult to the commissioners and the people of the State; besides, is calculated to make a wrong impression and mislead everybody in regard to the terms of the agreement between the commissioners and General Twiggs, which are: they are simply allowed to leave the State by way of the coast with their arms, two batteries of light artillery being taken as the arms belonging to that branch of the service. Many of the officers, who are Southern men, say they will not serve Mr. Lincoln, yet they will neither resign nor do anything else to assist the section that gave them birth. I hope the Southern Confederacy will aid them as little in future as they are helping her now. What good will their resignations do the South after they have kept their commands embodied and turu them over with arms in their hands to Lincoln, to be placed in some Southern garrison on our coast, or otherwise used to coerce the Southern people? This force ought to be disorganized before it leaves this State. If the Southern Confederacy intends raising a regular army these men ought to be enlisted into her service at once. Let recruiting officers be sent forthwith to this place, Indianola, and Brownsville, or the mouth of the Rio Grande, with the necessary funds to pay the proper bounty, and you may depend upon it Mr. Lincoln will never get many of them to leave this State. * Yours, truly, BEN. MCCULLOCH. EXECUTIVE OFFICE, Baton Rouge, La., March 6, 1861. Messrs. MAVERICK, LUCKETT, and DEVINE, Commissioners on behalf of the Committee of Public Safety of the State of Texas. GENTLEMEN: I have, in compliance with the wishes of the authorities of your State, authorized Maj. Gen. Braxton Bragg, Louisiana army, to extend every facility and courtesy consistent with the safety of our State to the U. S. troops in transit through Louisiana by way of the Mississippi River. I take pleasure in stating to you that MajorGeneral Twiggs, late commanding the Department of Texas, was recently welcomed to New Orleans with civic and military honors worthy of his bravery, his talents, and his long and very distinguished services. I remain, gentlemen, very respectfully, your obedient servant, *No inclosure found. Probably refers to order No. 5, of February 18, at p. 5. MONTGOMERY, March 16, 1861. Col. EARL VAN DORN, Jackson, Miss.: Appointed colonel. You were ordered yesterday to Forts Jackson and Saint Philip. Would prefer your going to Texas and securing the U. S. troops for our Army. Immediate action necessary. Answer. L. P. WALKER, AUSTIN, TEX., March 26, 1861. His Excellency JEFFERSON DAVIS, President, &c. SIR: On yesterday the convention adjourned. On Saturday last, 23d instant, the ordinance of ratification was passed-made a finality, with but one dissenting vote. I would draw your particular attention to the state of the former U. S. Army within this State. An impression had grown up before my arrival that the rank and file of the Army was not desirable by the President of the Confederate States, and nothing has been done to obtain their services in the Army of the Confederate States. I am satisfied from authentic sources that a large majority of the Second Cavalry could be obtained if the proper officer was here. You are aware, and certainly much better informed than I am, of the effect of discipline and the esprit de corps that exists even among the privates of any regular army. In addition to that, I am sure that our State service can afford no inducements, not only on account of the want of permanency, but really the want of respect and antagonism they feel to militia, volunteers, and uneducated officers. In addition, they feel some mortification as to their capitulation and the terms by which they feel they are expelled by State force from our territory. I feel satisfied if Colonel Van Dorn was here holding the command, even though the necessities or requirements of the service might demand his removal within a short period, he could obtain the best men in the U. S. service. I would earnestly urge his being sent here immediately. They are now collecting in large numbers, and recruiting depots established at convenient points, each recruiting officer being of the former U. S. Army, and when obtainable attached to the Second Cavalry. Besides obtaining the flower of the old Army and weakening the power of our enemies, we save an enormous expense and obtain the best body of troops for our service. I hope this will have your most favorable consideration. In addition, there is a vast amount of arms, ammunition, transportation, horses, mules, &c., that require immediate attention. Yours, respectfully, T. N. WAUL. INDIANOLA, TEX., March 26, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER, Secretary of War. SIR: I have the honor to report my arrival at this place, and to inform you that the troops of the United States are yet in camp at Green Lake, |