Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1861-03-16
From the Galveston News. Feb. 81.
Important from Texas.

Gen. Twiggs for the delivery of the forts in
his charge. He agreed to deliver them. In
the meantime, the government at Washington
publishes order, striking in disgrace from
the roll of the army the name of this veteran
officer and, at the same time, appointing Capt
Hill to the command in Texus, who refuses to
deliver up the various military posts
The steamship Gen. Rusk, Capt. Smith,
arrived to-day, p, M, bringing part of the
artillery and stores at Brazos. Gen. Nichols
came back on her to obtain reinforcements.
The Rusk, with the schooner Shark, arri
we'd off Brazos Santiago Island, Thursday
morning, 2lst instant, about ten o'clock.
The trip was made withoutaccdent or trouble.
The steamship Arizona was inside the bay
a pilot came off and informed the commander
that Lieut.. Thompson, u. S. A., with eigh-
teen or twenty men was on the Island with
three pieces of artillery-a long "a FOUNDER,
~ pound howitzer, and brass piece
loaded and pointed so as to command the ap-
proach to the landing; and that he would re-
slSt any attempt of the volunteers to land
Col. Ford, Gen. Nichols and Mr. Ii Waller
and Gen. Mcleod went ashore, leaving in
structious that if certain flag was hosted
on the Arizona, the Rusk was at once to en-.
ter the bay and come up to Brazos Island
wharf
In about an hour, the signal was given from
the Arizona; the Rusk, which had not an
chorcd and kept steam up about mile and
half from the Island, proceeded on her way
entered the Bay, and slowly approached the
wharf. The volunteers Immediately landed
marched up, and drew up into line Lieut.
Thompson received the new corners courtc.
ously. The United States flag was saluted
by the latter with the battery found in posi-
tion. AS the last gun was fred the United
States flag was hauled down, amid deep ST.
lence-Licut Thompson being cvdcnty much
moved He simply babe the officers farewell
and mt once left the Island with his men,
The Lone Star flag arose as rapidly to the flag
stall s summit, and WAS greeted with cheer
upon cheer by the battalion until the close of
the Texas national salute of % guns. The
troops took possession of the roomy barracks,
and then went to work discharging their
stores, bagging, .equipage, etc, from the
Rusk.
In the afternoon, Col Ford Cen Nichols
and Mr.. Waller proceeded to Brownsville
about 2S miles up the river, by land, we be-
icvc-with the intention of having an inter
view with Capt. Hill, who commands the
United States troops at Fort Brown about
200 men.
On Friday, the battalion went to work
with will to place the park of artillery, car.
rlages, shot, etc, on the steat9er and the
sIoop y battery of field artillery had been
removed by Capt Hills orders few days be-
fore The battalion arrived just in time to
prevent other orders, he had given being car
RED out, to destroy the gun carriages, muni-
tlons and other artillery stores and equipagc,
which abOunded at Brazos st. Iago. 4 par
tY OF 5O men were on their way from Fort
Brown, to carry out this project, when met
by Lieut.. Thompson and his party or their
way to Fcrt Brown
The Rusk, we learn, brings up four twenty
four long guns, two forty two brass howitzers,
and twomortars, with equipments complete,
and 600 cannon ball, shells, etc. The Shark,
which will be up in dry or two, has five of
the twenty-Four Founders and two forty.two
howitZers, with carriages, munitions. etc.
Six of the twenty four Founders, two mortars
and fall supply Of shot, powder, etc., were
left with the battalion.
On Saturday evening Gen. Mcleod return
ed to the Island from Brownsville, and in.
formed the battalion that there was a proba-
bility of the U. S. troops at Fort Brown
coming down to attack them. The men re.
ccived the information calmly, and with ain
evlient determination to resist any such at
tempt to the last extremity. Guns were
placed at the outposts; extra guards posted
at every available point and all slept on their
arl"S ready for Instant service. TO the Gal.
weston Artillery was conceded the post of hon.
or. The Fort Bend Rifles were detailed as
pickcts. The same routine of duty was per-
formed on Sunday, 24th
On Monday, the engineers, Mcysrs Lau-
ton and Clapp, made survey of the position,
with view to the making of entrenchments,
which were to he Mt once erected. On Sun
day, General Nichols and Col Ford returned ;
and on Monday at one p nj, the Rusk left
for homc-it being understood that Gen
Nichols was going for rcinforcemcnts
We have not yet seen Gen. Nichols, but we
learn that Capt. Hill received him, as Com
missioner on the part of the State, most un-
courteously- -denouncing him and his men as
" traitors" threatening 70 have him arrest
ed as one; further avowing his intention to
have the General arrested by civil officer !;
saying he would send for the two hundred
men at Ringgold Barracks Cat Rio Grande
city) and march down and take back the Is
land and the Federal property Gen Nichols
was calm but firm throughout the interview
One of the officers of the expedition
writes us
We know nothing yet of what has oc
Cured at San Antonio between General
Twiggs and the State forces but the officers
\ at Fort Brown-those who are chatty-say
| that Captain Hill will not obey anv order Cen