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[45] After the usual controversy about the right of Colonel Van Dorn to make such a demand, and the exhibition of overwhelming force by Colonel Van Dorn's troops, which had been hastily collected, including many citizens in volunteer companies enlisted for the occasion, the surrender was effected. There was a point of military honor entertained by all of those Federal officers that induced them to refuse to surrender upon a mere demand, until a military force was exhibited against them.

Colonel Van Dorn, with Major Mechling, continued to aid in the embarkation of the Federal troops on the coast, and other military operations, until he was ordered to Richmond for other service, and Paul O. Hebert was appointed brigadier-general and assigned to the Texas department on the 14th of August, 1861.

In order to show the manner in which these formal surrenders of the Federal troops were accomplished, Colonel Van Dorn's report is inserted: Headquarters Troops in Texas.

San Antonio, Texas, May 10, 1861.
General: I have the honor to report that I met the last column of the United States troops in Texas yesterday, at noon, on the El Paso road, about 13 miles from this city, and that Colonel Reeve, the commanding officer, being satisfied of my greatly superior force, surrendered unconditionally. There were 10 officers and 337 men, including 30 men who were captured some time since in San Antonio by Capt. James Duff, which I have heretofore neglected to report. My command consisted of Colonel McCulloch's cavalry, viz., six companies, Captains Pitts, Tobin, Ashby, Bogges, Fry, and Nelson; a squadron of Colonel Ford's State troops, under Lieutenant-Colonel Baylor's command, viz., Captains Walker and Pyron, a battery of light artillery, Captain Edgar, a section of artillery, Captain Teel; two small detachments of horse under Lieutenants Paul and Dwyer, and an independent detachment of cavalry, Captain Goode. All these troops I placed under the command of Col. H. E. McCulloch. In addition to these there was a battalion of infantry raised for the occasion in San Antonio, under command of Lieut.-Col. James Duff, Captains Maverick, Wilcox,


Atlanta, Ga. 1899.

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