The surrender of U. S. Property in Texas.
The Texas papers of the 21st ult. bring the particulars of the recent surrender of the post at San Antonio, by Gen. Twiggs, to the State. Gen. Ben McCulloch, by the authority of the State Convention, went with about 400 Texan troops, to take possession of the Arsenal, &c.; before Col. Carlos A. Waite, who had been deputed, it was supposed, to supercede Gen. Twiggs, could arrive. The letter says: ‘ San Antonio was in a state of intense excitement for some days previous to the entrance of the Rangers. Gen. Twiggs received the Secretary of War's order on the 15th.-- Col. Waite was expected to arrive the next day. It was generally thought he would refuse to carry out Gen. Twiggs' agreement, and would resist by force, with the 120 U. S. troops of the S. A. Arsenal. It was determined not to give him a chance. On Friday evening, the San Antonio K. G. C.'s, 200 in number — a well armed and equipped body — marched out to meet the coming troops under McCulloch, from the Salado, four miles off. At 2 o'clock on Saturday, 200 of them — picked men — entered San Antonio on horseback as an advanced guard. Later, 500 more marched in. Guards were at once stationed around the Arsenal, over the artillery park and all the Government buildings. After the city companies took possession of the Alamo, Gen. Twiggs, accompanied by Major Nichols, met Gen. McCulloch in the main Plaza. The horsemen paraded around them, and there was a burst of cheers as the three officers met. A demand was made for the surrender of the Federal property, and the immediate evacuation of the place by the United States soldiers, without their arms — The reply was, that every soldier would be shot down ere submitting to that disgrace. It was feared that a bloody strife would ensue. At half-past 12 o'clock, however, terms were agreed upon. The soldiers leave town immediately, taking their side-arms and a sufficient supply of stores to enable them to leave. the State. They are getting ready to leave. They will camp at the San Pedro Springs, awaiting the arrival of Col. Waite. All bids fair for the restoration of quiet, unless Col. Waite should object to the terms agreed upon by Gen. Twiggs, and attempt to retake this position — which is not considered probable. The stores, houses and shops are closed; the streets are almost deserted, except by the Rangers and the K. G. C's. The Alamo and Military Plaza present a very martial appearance. The Government property is now in charge of the citizen soldiers of the place.--The volunteers are all well armed. They are plainly dressed, some in kersey — a fine looking body of men, with a determined air. ’ Another letter says: ‘ Col. Lee, U. S. A., has just arrived, but too late to effect anything, even if disposed to offer resistance. The Rangers will return to their camp on the Salado, and will at once march to take possession of the other United States forts and garrisons on the frontier. It is thought they will be surrendered without resistance, so large will be the force brought against them. The Lone Star flag once more floats from the Alamo. ’ The following is the order issued by Gen. Twiggs, after the surrender:Headquarters, Department of Texas,
San Antonio, Feb. 13, 1861.
[General Orders, No. 5.] ‘
The State of Texas having demanded, through its Commissioners, the delivery of the military posts and public property within the limits of this command, and the commanding General desiring to avoid even the possibility of a collision between the Federal and State troops, the posts will be evacuated by their garrisons, and these will take up, as soon as the necessary preparations can be made, the line of march out of Texas, by way of the coast — marching out with their arms, (the light batteries with their guns,) clothing, camp and garrison equipage, quartermaster's stores, subsistence, medical, hospital stores, and such means of transportation of every kind as may be necessary for an efficient and orderly movement of the troops, prepared for attack or defence against aggressions from any source. ’
The troops will carry with them provisions as far as the coast.
By order of
Brevet Maj. Gen. Twiggs.
Brevet Maj. Gen. Twiggs.
