The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-08-01
General Twlggs' Sword Returned by
General Butler

IL WASHINGTON, July 20, l862.--General
Butler has sent to President Lincoln the
following characteristic letter, giving the
history of the seizure of the swords of the
traitor Twiggs:
HEADSUARTsRs DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF.
NEW ORLEANS. La, July !, 1862.
To the President:
SIR have the honor to send you, with
this note, three swords, with their euuip-
ments, formerly belonging to David i.
Twiggs, late Brevet Major General in the
army OF the United States. They are all
presentation swords, one given him BY res
olution of Congress, which bears the follow.
ing legend:
Presented by the President of the United
to Brigadier General David E. Twiggs, in tes.
tlmony Of the high sense entertained by Con.
gress OF his gallantry and good conduct in
storming Monterey.
Resolution approved March 2, 1s47.
Another was presented by the State of
Georgia, and bears the following legend and
inscription {:
The State of Georgia to Major General Da.
vid E. Twiggs, United States Army, as trib.
ute to bis gallantry in Mexico. lS47, Palo Alto,
Resaca de la Palma, Monterey, Vera Cruz,
Cerre Gordo, Chepultepec, Molino del Rey,
Mexico.
The third was presented by his native
city, Augusta, Georgia, and has the follow.
ing legend:
TExAs-8TH AND 9TH OF MAY, lS46.
MONTEREY, VERA CRUZ, CERRo GORDo.
To General David E. Twiggs. from the city Of
Augusta. Georgia.
General Twiggs left these swords with
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:
1 leave my swords to Miss - and box of
silver. EDIT WIGGS
New Orleans, April Is, 1862.
This paper was claimed as deed of Gift
of these very valuable weapons bv the
young woman named; but as she had neg
lected to inform her father of this singular
donation causo fugoe-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 his fellow citizens, and of the gratitude
OF State and the nation-voIuntariEv be.
queathed for safe keeping to a woman. as g
more proper custodian than himself, BIZ that
same General, when, flying at the approach
OF the armies OF that country which be had
renounced and betrayed, at last find de-
pository with anegro, fol-, the sake ofenslav~
ing whose race the double crime of treach-
cry and rebellion has been consummatcd.
Now that the weapon given by the Uni.
ted States is returned to the Executive. and
the Others placed at his disposal, night 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 il so many
examples, OF Which General TWiggs Is a
shining one, that some token Of respect for
those qualities, bestowed iU this saanner,
might not be Inappropriate
The sword from the State Of Georgia
might be deposited tn the library ct West
Point, with an appropriate insert ption, as
perpetual memento TO the youth there how
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.
That given by the city Of Augusta might
be deposited la the Patent Ofhce, as W arn
ing against the folly and useleaSness Of such
an invention as secession
Pardon the freedom Of these Suggestions,
ana oeiieve me, most respectfully, your ob2,.
dent servant,
BENJ. f. BUTLEB