The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-08-01

III 10 leisiYid y4aga------gIs HI .gE-s4tiu
rWAsHIseToN, July 20, ,ls62.-General
Butler has sent to President Lincoln the
following characteristic letter, givipr,! Ut the
history Of the seizure Of the swords Of the
traitor Iwiggs -t
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULp.
@s'Ho New ORLEANS. La, July 4, 1862. -
10 the President :giIual sl8 &8nlf gpsGa 100 :
0ft SIR-Ihave the honor to send you, with
this note, three swords, with their equip
ments, formerly belonging to David E.
Twiggs, late Brevet Major General in the
army Of the United States. They are all
/ presentation swords, one given him BY res
olusion Of Congress, which bears the follow.
| ing legend ID 49, .s.e.... &c.. -,
States, agreeable to resolution of Congress,
4 20 Brigadier General David e. Twiggs, in tes.
/ umony Of the high sense entertained by Con-
gress OF MS gallantry and good conduct in
storming Monterey 9 ~ .TtIt. ~ rs
Resolution approved March 2; ls47.
Another was presented by the State of
Georgia, and bears the following legend and
Inscription d" .i'..5af@.' @1o ols1@
The State of Georgia to Major General Da.
vid =. Twiggs, United States Army, as q trib.
ute to his gallantry in Mexico. lS47, Palo Alto,
Resaca de Ia Palma, Monterey, Vera Cruz,
Cerre Gordo, Chepultepec, Molino del Rey,
q The third was presented by his native
city, Augusta, Georgia, and has the follow
ing legend:
TExAs-8TH AND Orb OF MAY, lS46.
MONTEREY, VERA CRUZ, CBRRO G0RDo.
To General David E. Twiggs, from the city of
Augusta, Georgia.
General Twiggs left these swords with a
young woman, on the evening before be fled
from New Orleans, and in bis fight on the
day ofthe approach Of the feet be wrote in
bis carriage, while en- route, this extraor-
binary paper: "-
silver. ED. TWIGGS
New Orleans, April rs, 1862.
This paper was claimed as deed of Gift
OF these very valuable weapons by the
young woman named; but as she had neg.
lected to inform her father of this singular
donation caase tugoe-and as the girls
mother caused them to be given to negro,
to be sent back to General Twiggs' house.
l ventured to interfere with this tesla
mentary disposition. A more lamentable
instance of the degradation to which this
rebellion has reduced its votaries can hard
~ be imagined. Swords given to Gen.
eral for courage and good conduct in the
armies OF the Union, tokens of admiration
by bis fellow citizens, and of the gratitude
OF State and the nation-voluntariIy be,
queathed for safe keeping to woman as
more proper custodian than himself, By that
same General, when, flying at the approach
OF the armies OF that country which be had
renounced and betrayed, at last find de-
posltory with anegro, fol-, the sake ofenslav4
ing whose race the double crime of treach-
cry and rebellion has been consummated.
Now that the weapon given by the Uni.
ted States is returned to the Executive, and
the Others placed at his disposal might I
take leave to suggest proper disposition
of them? Might not the first be presented
to some officer as token of appreciation of
loyalty and devotion to the country? The
qualities of courage and good conduct In the
battle field have never been found wanting
10 our armies; but loyalty and entire devo-
ton TO the country have failed 10 so many
examples, of which General Twiggs is q
shining one, that some token of Prospect for
those qualities, bestowed 10 this manner,
might not be inappropriate.
The sword from the State of Georgia
might be deposited tn the library at West
Point, with an appropriate inscription, as
perpetual memento to the youth there bow
worse than useless are ali education and
military training, even when allied to gals
lantry and courage, if heartfelt patriotism
and undying fealty to tie constitution and
the flag are wanting. s. .
That given by the city of Augusta might
be deposited in the Patent Office, as a warn.
ing against the folly and pselessness of such
an invention as secession
Pardon the freedom of these suggestions,
! and believe me, most respectfully, your cbe-
dent servant, @
BENZ. F. BUTLER