Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1861-04-19


AFFAIRS IN Texas. The Coaf=GcOGlcos steam
er brought 10 n. Y on the 18th two com
panies of infantry and three of cavalry. The
~ y. Tribune gathers from conversations
with the officers the following statements
| 'The officers are very decided in the opinion
that II the President should send such troops as he
1 could command to Texas, to assist Gov. Houston
IN regaining control of the State, it would not do
/ any good. The desperadoes, who now have the
control, would OverpOwer any force which Houston
could rally % his stlndlrd. reign Of terror ex-
| ls's IN Texas. Northern men dare not avow their
birthplace even, much less their convictions un-
| less they profess the rankest sort Of pro-savery
| principles. Even officers Of the army from the
North have to te very cautious. They do not
know who to ust. Confidence between officers
OF the same regiment is destroyed, great il the
lnhaence Of secession.
From their long residence in Texas, and their
familiarity with the people of that State, the off,
GERS Of the Second cavalry state that it would be
! folly to return tho regiment to Texas The men
were got out Of the State with much difficulty, the
black sheep being weeded out pretty thoroughly
by desertion, but it would not be safe to trust the
remainder in Texas again. Anywhere else they
would be true as steel. OF the officers Of the Sec
ond the men of Northern birth are true and loyal;
but secession has demoralized those of Southern
origin that it would hardly be safe to send them
on duty to the South The designations already
have been so numerous that not a single Second
Lieutenant is left in the regiment. Nor is this
surprising, considering the Influences which have
been at work upon them. In Texas they have for
years been unable to learn anything about the now
dominant party in the country, except through
pro--lavory channels. Newspapers not in the in
tereSt5 Of slavery have been studiously kept from
them by the system of espionage which has pre-
all cd in tha po t .
therefore, that otherwise well Informed gentlemen,
Us these officers are should seriously inquire if il
was true that Mr.. Lincoln really intended to COM
mence crusade against the South, for the aboli-
tiOn of slavery.
The frontier settlements back Of san Antonio
have been entirely broken up since the Withdraw
al OF the trcoDs. Two large companies of Indians
had come in, one from the north of Red River,
and the other from the Rio Grande, numbering a
great many settlers, and driving everything be-
fore them. Some of the frontier towns entire
ly destroyed. business was ruined and traders
were clearing out. There is nothing but destitu-
tion staring the people in the face.
Another officer, who stationed on the Rio
Grande, says that along that frontier the Mexican
population have nearly all crossed over into Mex
leo, and the rancheroS and other property holders,
between the Neuces and the Rio Grande, we're con
eenrrating in the towns at central points to
protect themselves against the raids and depreda-
tons committed by bands of Indians, Mexican5
and lawless whites of the most depraved class,
who, taking advantage Of the defenceless cOndi-
ton Of the frontier, were rObbing and numbering
all before them.
There are now twenty Companies in Tex
as, under command Of Col Waite. The Colonel
is reported to be a man thoroughly trustworthy,
and as warm in his devotion to his country his
predecessor was the opposite. The concurrent
testimony Of all the officers with whom we con-
verse to the condition Of Texas. was that the
people W ould bitterly the day when they
withdrew from the protection of the United
States, and that the time would soon come when
they would curse the name of Judas TSisgs,
whose treachery has robbed them Of the only
decent q OVernment that they have ever had