Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-04-04
The Surrender of the U. 3. Troops In Texas
Letter from an Army officer

SAN ANTONIO, Texas, March 81, 1861
Ednor STAY: In late issue Of the New York
Times foul and unjust Misrepresentation has
been made In regard to nv conduct In connection
with the transfer Of the public property to the
State Of Texas at this station
am but a subordinate officer, and had nothing
whatever TO do In or with the transaction III aDy
one Is to be censured let Ii fall upon the head Of
those implicated. The matter was controlled nv
the officer commanding the department, ard with
him must rest the responsibility. | claim that
was from the frat opposed to the unwarrantable
seizure of the property, and shared with the rest
OF my brother officers the morti location attending
the Transaction
| am reported by the Times as having resipned
my combustion In the Army and taken service In
Texas Every particle of the report is an oUtra-
geous libel upon me. | am now, and ever have
been, attending TO my legitimate duties and will
continue to do until Otherwise ordered re
report grew out Of the fact that was offered the
appointment Of QuafterInaster. General of this
state. L know my obligations and duties too
with them ltwas a bid which nv sense OF dntv
compelled me to reject, preferring to stand BY nv
trust rather than accept anything that could be
They have raked up old charges from the mus,v
records and dragged me before the public on
iaise Information, charges which YOU know have
long since been honorably adjusted, and which
the entire press Of the country from Maine To NeY
leo, fully endorsed. Even the Times did me
justice, which 1t seldom ever has been known to
do, especially where virginians are concerned
AN hot the only one who has suffered by the
unjust reports Of Infamous letter writers and
scrloblers. observe in an issue Of the National
inteiiigencer at Washington, OF March I'd last an
article which reflects very unjustly and unpener-
ously upon Che conduct Of Major d. n. Vinton
and Capt X. II. r. w h;tely Of the Army. as
connected with the late transfer Of the public
property at this station to the State of Texas
under the orders Of Gen. Twigcs, commanding
this epartnn~nt w bou thO < old - atioaai
lntelligencer cOndescends to notice such viiainous
reports, we must admit we have lost our friends
The writer must have been msinformed or evil
IDENTIFY misapprehended the true position Of these
officers. He will doubtless admit il, on a fair
presentation OF the case. Neither Major Vinton
or Capt Whitley, or believe any other officer,
was party to the understanding which led to the
transfer. They were merely constituted board
by order OF the General to carry out his orders
previously determined upon by that officer
After the transfer had been determined upon II
became necessary to execute II In an orderly man.
ner, so as to protect the officers charged with the
property, and prevent any imposition upon the
Government, and to secure safe and speedy
removal OF the troops from the country
These officers were designated for the reason
they were the hest in rank at this station and
constituted board for these several objects alone
have reason to know that the gentlemen re-
ierred to Were from the first opposed and Violently
opposed TO the entire Transaction They are both
true and faithful officers and have the reputatio ON
OF being two AZ honorable and trustworthy pen.
tlemen as can be found In the ARMY
Yours truly, A. w. REYNOLDS, u. SA.