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

On the night of the 2d of March, Colonel Ford arrived at Brazos Santiago with a Federal officer from Fort Brown, who expected to meet the steamer Webster from New York that arrived the next day. The officer on board, Major Porter, assistant adjutant-general, being communicated with, it was found that he had come to superintend the embarkation of the Federal troops, by which the hope was inspired that the order of General Twiggs for the surrender of the post and departure of the troops would be complied with. Major Porter and Colonel Ford went to Brownsville the same morning. On March 4th it was reported on the island that there was shooting up at Fort Brown, and as it was supposed it was in honor of President Lincoln's inauguration, a furious excitement arose among the men at the indignity upon Texas soil, which was with difficulty allayed by the officers, and indeed not entirely until Colonel Ford sent a letter that he had secured from his personal friend, Captain Stoneman, stating that the Federal soldiers would leave Texas as soon as transportation was furnished, and that there would be no difficulty if the troops on each side were kept apart so as to prevent a collision.

From that time, this was all that was necessary until the Federals left in vessels from Brownsville. Commissioner Nichols carried back the companies that he had. brought to Brazos Santiago and they were discharged, leaving from 600 to 800 men, who soon afterward took possession of Fort Brown as the headquarters of the district. Detachments were sent to the posts up the river, and all of the valuable property on Brazos island was moved up to Fort Brown. Thus Colonel Ford, assisted by the officers with him, finding an obstacle impeding the immediate accomplishment of his mission, by the generalship of prudence and patience succeeded far better than