Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-05-24
XIolal 0ais.r il Texas.
iurrrr.rIso Irrrra ylon MAJOR srnAo'


MTERKsrSo LKTrER FROM MAJOR sPRAouE.
The Albany Arsus publishes the following
letter, received oy gentleman 10 that city from |
Major Sprague, who was recently taken prisoner |
by the traitorous Texans;
San ANTONIO, Texas,
Wednesday, April "a, 1861
Dean Sin. Since my last letter events have
eliminated here 30 rapidly II 10 impossible for
me TO narrate them In detail To myself, the
most important event Ia my arrest as q prisoner
OF war. The decided measures adopted In
Washington towards the Confederate States
alarmed the authorities In Montgomery. when
orders were transmitted to arrest and dlsarm
the United States troops en- route out OF Texas
under the agreement made by Gen. Taiggs,
aud to arrest the United States officers on duty
In San Antonio, "as prisoners Of war" The
sacred engagement made by Texas, that the en-
| tire command serving In that State should pass
out unmolested, has been disregarded, and
Texas, through her recently acknowledged gov
eminent, has participated In this most graceless
act. Fifteen officers have been arrested and
marched through the streets of San Antonio,
surrounded by o guard Of Texas volunteers
Most of these officers have served from five to
ten year1 protecting the frontier. When COM
ing into the sececed States, In February last, on
my way to New Mexico, l had serious appre-
tensions OF the present result and endeavored,
by timely application to the proper authorities.
to avoid IL, but was unsuccessful. and here am,
ga prisoner OF war;" IL taken In conflict, or
. In any honorable mode of warfare. would not
grumble; but to be crushed In this manner, a
victim to the treachery of others, Ia more than
man can bear. have served for twenty-two
years under our flag, and seen 1t 60 up and
~ III 0 ria nd tim nd hay
witnessed its blessings, With proud heart, In
all parts of our country. TO this Union AN
l devoted, and though for time my sword may
rest in It's scabbard, yet my tongue, heart, intel
lect and pen, shall be devoted TO an eternal war
fare against those who, with vindicIive spleen,
! and pretended wrongs, would destroy this Gov
! erDment, und er which we have lived and pros-
pered so many years.
Political parties and questions are now at an
, end, the negro has gone under, neck and heels
and II becomes every man who cherlshes his
! home to STAND by the Union. We have paroles
: offered, obligating US not to bear arms during
! what they, the enemy, call the war, unless ex-
4 changed, or to remain close prisoners OF war
All Communication with the States by mail OF
otberwse is cut of, and the entire country is
, under the control Of ranging volunteers The
i officers and men, though removed from all con-
the agents of the Confederate States 10 join
their cause. with the prospect of increased rank
and pay, have remained true to their coors, in
the firm conviction In the ability and patriotism
OF the people TO redress our wrongs. Shall we
remain here as prisoners, or take parole and
trust to luck? That is the question. | give
! you few Of the heavy items received by the
' last mail from New Orleans, which are certain.
ly not encouraging to prisoners Of war In for
egn land, viz President Lincoln has fed from
Washington; General Scott resigned and Joined
the Confederate States; Tennessee, Maryland
aud Virginia out Of the Union; the Seventh
New York Regiment cut up en- route through
Baltimore for Washingtoni fifty thousand men
: from the South surrounding Washington, aud
the women aud cnlldren notified tn leave; Cos
= port Navy Yard taken by Virginia after sharF
confict-forty Union men killed How true the
foregoing Is we are yet to learn; doubtful If VIC
ever know the truth, II depending upon the news
papers received here. Il Is thus the citizens Of
this section are taught to believe that the Gov.
ernment Of the United States is at an end
send this by friend, who will put 1t u the first
reliable post.ofice probably st. Louis
Another item has just come to hand through
: the stage way bill from Indianola, Oh the coast
: one hundred and fifty miles distant. The StaI
ofths West, awaiting the arrival Of the United
States troops to embark to New York, has beer
stolen by the Secessionists, and the troops IN
der Major Sibley, while on board lighters Of
the bar, have been surrounded by two armed
steamers from New Orleans, containing 81,
: hundred men, With artillery, and made prison
: lers Of war. The officers and men, IL is said
have taken paroles. Here again the attemp
was made TO seduce them from their c1lors b.
rank and pay, but without success. IL Is thu
events accumulate around us, sad and disastrous
# indeed. but our faith is firm. We may be dis
!, couraged, treated with indignity, our Govern
~ ment derided, even our allegiance, under thes,
disasters, ridiculed, still there Is an uuwaverinl
9 fidelity TO our Union, among the officers ant
Il soldiers Of the Army in this quarter, which
cannot be questioned nor surpassed IL look
rather dark at present, but daylight Is breaking
n even in this remote and foreign lard neve
thought the time would come when would be
!, stranger among my own counrymen. ! iea
: : there is Q worm planted within our bosoms tha
e = will never die. As ever, truly yours,
y J. T. SPRAGUE.