Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1861-06-05
The Late Surrender of United States
Troops in Texas.


The Lavacca, Gulf Key, of the lStf
ultimo, has full and interesting accouu
of the surrender of United States troops ir
Texas, under command of Liutenant Colo
mel Reeve, to the Confederate force under
command of COL Van Dorm, which We copy
as follows:
Our fellow townman, DR.. j. r. Fretwell
volunteer aid in Col. Van Dorn's staff, has
lust arrived from San Antonio, and brings
US the cheering news of the surrender OF
the United States troops-six companies OF
the 9Th infantry-under the command OF
Col. Reeve, on the 9th inst, near the San
Lucas Springs, some % miles west of San
Antonio, and on the Castrovile road.
Col. Reeves command consisted of S66
rank and file, with their appropriate officers,
together with Col. Bumford and several
other officers who were on leave or under
orders to report at other points, and who,
taking advantage of the troops coming down
to San Antonio, sought and obtained the
escort of the same. The surrender was an
unconditional one. The troops will be
kept as close prisoners of war, and will not
be sent out of the country, as the policy OF
the Government at Montgomery, we under
stand, has been changed on this point.
We take this occasion to congratulate
the people of Texas on the fact that there
no longer rests the foot of an enemy on her
soil. The last gun has been surrendered
and the last standard lowered by which her
peace was menaced and her sovereignty dis.
puted and we take this occasion to join
our feeble praises to thoses of our fellow
citizens, in according to the Colonel COM
manding this department the highest need
of honor for the manner in which he made
and carried out his plans, so as to effect his
object without the loss of human blood.
Col Van Dorm left his camp on the Leon
at four o'clock on Thursday morning, the
Stb, and took up a position previously Sc
lected about two miles to the westward on
the road leading to Castroville, where he
formed his command into line of battle
Shortly after daylight the picket and spies
reported Col. Reeve as having left his camp
at two o'clock, a. M, as has been his Gus
tom on his march, and having reached
the high ridge of land near San Lucas
Springs and at the rancho of Mr.. Adams,
where he halted his command, taken posses.
sion Of the large stone house, barricaded
the road with his wagons and placed his
troops in position behind the strong coral
fences of Mr. Adams and in the stone
house apparently to await the assault.
Upon this being announced to the Colonel
commanding the Confederate troops, his
military experience taught him at once that
Col. Reeve would not advance any further,
and without hesitating moment he order
ed forward movement of the whole COM
mand, mounted his horse and galloped for,
ward, followed by his whole staff, nor did
be draw rein until within some eight hun
dred yards of the enemy's camp Here he
calmly viewed their position, never having
been on the ground himself before, but
from the knowledge of others present, he
soon made himself master of all the facts as
to the topography of the surroundings, and
at once determined upon his position, and
gave directions for the forming the line OF
battle. The infantry under the command
of Lieutenant Colonel Duff, were placed on
the right; the battery Of flying artillery
six pieces, 12-pounders-under Captain
Edgar, in the centre, with the cavalry and
mounted troops under Col. H. F. McCul,
loch on the left. The whole command:
numbering some fifteen hundred troops Of
all arms, presented very fine appearance
with banners flying, drums beating, sabres
and bayonets glitteriug iu the meridian san
horses paving and neighing, the field off
fcers flying from one end of the field to an
other, carrying the commands of the chief.
Under flag of truce, borne by Capts.
Wilcox and Majors, demand was made Of
an unconditional surrender of the United
States troops as prisoners of war, and five
minutes given to answer in. Col. Reeve
would not agree to the terms (Which are
very hard for military man) unless Col
Van Dorm would convince him that he had
sufficient force to execute it, BY permitting
an officer of his command whom he would
designate, to see the troops and report tc
him; the prompt answer returned was, that
he should have that opportunity to see the
troops, and the more be saw of them the
less he would like it. The officer designa
ted by Col. Reeve was Lieutenant Bliss, q
young officer of distinguished bravery well
known in the u. S. army, who mounted q
horse and rode down the line of our troops
and was repeatedly cheered. Suffice it tc
say, on his report, Col. Reeve surrendered
with his command, together with all the
public property in his possession, uucon
ditioually as prisoners of war, giving his
word of honor as gentleman and soldier
that he would report himself and command
at Col. Van Dorn's camp on the Leon thai
evening at 6 o'clock.
Instantly the word of command was Civ
en- to countermarch back to camp, where we
arrived about three o'clock, p. m., every ont
elated at the happy termination Of the diff
fculty. At six o'clock p. m COL Reeve:
command arrived in camp, and their grouuc
being designated by the proper officer, they
pitched their tents as orderly, and stacked
their arms with as much precision, as if OF
inspection parade. There was not a wore
said or shout raised to wound their mill
tary pride, but the officers and men were
treated with the greatest courtesy, and th'
warm grip Of friendship was given by many