[
268]
By this act
Twiggs deprived his Government of the most effective portion of its Regular Army, in strict accordance with the plans of his employers.
Davis and
Floyd.
When the. Government was informed of his actual treason, an order was issued,
directing him to be “dismissed from the Army of the United States, for treachery to the flag of his country.”
1 Earlier than this, “Charity Lodge” of the “Knights of Feb Malta,” in New Orleans, who had heard of his infamy, expelled him from their order
by unanimous vote.
On the 4th of March the Secession Convention of
Louisiana, that had assembled that day, resolved to unite with the citizens of New Orleans in honoring
Twiggs with a public reception.
That honor was conferred eight days after he was dismissed from the service of his country for a high crime.
On the 18th,
Twiggs issued a
general order, in which he announced the fact of the surrender of his forces, and directed the garrisons of all the posts, after they should be handed over to agents of the insurgents, to make their way to the sea-coast as speedily as possible, where,
according to the terms made with the
Commissioners, they would be allowed to leave the
State, taking with them their arms, clothing, and necessary stores.
With this order went out a circular from the
Commissioners, in the name of the
State of Texas, whose authority they had usurped, in which they solemnly agreed that the troops should have every assistance, in the way of transportation and otherwise, for leaving the
State, for, they said, “they are our friends, who have hitherto afforded us all the protection in their power; and it is our duty to see that no insult or indignity is offered them.”
It is apparent that at that very time the conspirators had determined to cast every obstacle in the way of the betrayed men on their way to the coast, and their departure from it, with the hope of persuading a portion of them to join the insurgents.
In this they were mistaken.
In all the vicissitudes to which
