The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1866-12-26

eayed no symnathy and IN less than year this hardy
people, without money, without arms and munitions OF
war and without SUI plies have reeapturea Matamoro
Canargo Presidio de Rio Grande Lampissas, Monte
I rev, Satlo Monclavo, Durango, Chihuahua and in
fact hold nearly all the country putting the invaders
on the defensive and combining them to the valley Of
Mexico with fair prospect of their speedy exter-
/ minaon.
have always believed that the occupation Of Mexico
was part of the rebellion; and believing that the
contest in country for the Tindcation OF re-
publicansn I did not think that that vindication
would be complete until Macmillan vas compelled TO
leave.
The course taken By nearly every newspaper in the
lately rebeous States sympathy for Macmillan,
and the sentiment of large portion OF the population
WAS likewise; and so determined this on the part
of thousands of adventures that the GordoVa emgrs
ton scheme gotten up, and had think, for its
object the formation af a Macmillan American party,
composed of Confederates entertaining antipathy to-
wards our government Many of these, having
means would have drifted into the army Of Mnximl
ian. had take strong grounds against this emf
grafton, and finally broke it up by refusing to permit
emigrants to embark from the sea ports within the
limits of my command.
The effect of the presence Of troops in TexAs.
and on the Rio Grande, alluded to heretofore. a
the destiny of Imperialism great 1t had notaal
friend amoug the officers men from the highest to
the lowest grade and the effect depressing in the
extreme-so much so that inclined to believe
that had a demand been made for the withdrawal of
the Imperial troops the ground that the invasion
of Mexico part of the rebellion, it would have
been granted and the mseres Of that country for the
last year avoided.
While the Imperial troops held the line of the Rio
Grande the strctest neutrality preserved Since
they have been drawn away the same honorable
trality has been preserved toward the Liberal gov
eminent.
The number Of troops sent to Texas was about
$4,000 Shortly after they had arrived, and become
somewhat settled, orders for the muster-out Of
about Al 900 of this force, and the muster-out
carried on gradually and in accordance with ab
y to bring them back, so that the movement may be
considered equal to a continuous movement Of over
90, 900 the most difficult line OF operations
which We have in the country. | make these remarks
because was under the impression one time that
the quartermaster general did not fully understand
the magnitude of the movement, the natural obsta
ces in the way Of its plishment, and had to
struggle for six months without funds on the plea that
the Brazos railroad constructed without authority
and the public service made to suffer punishment bv
this denial of funds.
believe the quartermaster general Influenced
in this act BY the representations of incompetent in
specors sent out to make reports.
The condition Of civil affairs in Texas was anoma-
ous singular and unsatisfactory | found the proyis-
Ona governor, backed by small portion of the pop
ulation, had for his standard Of loyalty adherence
for the rebellion and glory in its defeat" while his
successor actual governor had for its standard Of
loyalty pride in the rebellion; that it was a right
e0us but a lost cause being overpowered by the Fed
eral forces" Both Of these representatives of the
civil law, entertaining opposite standards for the low
atty Of their subjects requested to support and
did it to the best Of my ability; but las been EN-
I barrassing in the extreme.
: Governor Hamilton, the provisional governor, was
clamorous for more troops, and in several communca
tons to asserted that the civil law could not be
carried out; that freedmen would be killed and Union
men driven from the State without military support
which gave whenever it was possible. Gov Throck
morton. the present governor wants all the troops
moved from the settled portions Of the STATE assert
ing that the civil law all right; that justice would
be done the freedmen, Union men, and soldiers in
the courts But justice is not done. To give you an
instance Of this, two soldiers shot at Brenham
Texas about two months ago; they were unarmed
and offered no proFocaton.
The grand Jury could find true bill against their
woud-be assassns but found bill against Brevet
Major Smith, seventeenth infantry, for burglary be
cause he broke into the house of citizen in his
attempt to arrest these men,
nv own opinion is that the trial of white man for
the murder Of freedman in Texas, would be farce
and in making this statement make it because truth
compels me, and for no other reason.
During the last six months Indian depredatons have
taken place On the remote frontier Their extent is
not defined as yet, but they not very alarming
and think that the governor has to been
influenced by exaggerated reports, gotten up in
instances by frontier people to get market for their
|
to make money.
| have ordered two regiments of cavalry to the
frontier and placed regiment Of infantry Austin
to be moved if necessary.
1t is strange that white killed by Indians
on extensive frontier the greatest excitement will
take place, but over the killing of many freedmen in
the settlements nothing is done | cannot help but
o l afn tb a 6 6 tie
Of Texas.
l viii establish the frontier posts in Texas in the
early spring. 1t was not done heretofore on account
Of having no available regular troops, and to have at
tempted il with volunteer troops, DESTROYS Of returning
to their homes, would have involved an expense which
did net like to put upon the government.
In Louisiana there about as much if not more
anomaly in civil affairs than in Texas
Our depot was ID New Orleans which from its geo
graphical position, became the main depot Of the gulf
States, and in fact the whole Southwest This place
had necessarily been the headquarters Of superior com
manders, and as many Of them appeared have
ability IN civil than in military affairs they left the
suits OF that ability to be settled by myself and the
subordinate officers of my COMMUNICATIONS and
claims, semi-miltary and semciv Of every possible
phase, and SO numerous and complicated that, after
fair examination | think it will require officer and
ten clerks for twelve months to brief and sys-
ematise what is yet left
The settlement Of such Of those claims az have al
ready come up has been dead weight upon the legt
innate military duties Of my command Then there
was the accumulation, at this place. of material Of
war Of every possible character, from steamships
down to pick and spades the disposition Of which
gave great labor; but by keeping steadily to work. and
by the good Judgment Of subordinate commanders
and staff officers Of the different bureaus this depot
i now reduced to the present wants Of the service.
At the time Of my arrival in New Orleans, before
alluded to, the civil affairs much mixed up. Gov
j. Madison Wells was legitimately holding the posi-
ton Of governor but election was to occur in
the summe: or fall and although from the anecedents
Of the governor who supported the Federal authority,
had reason to expect good Judgment, STILL either on
account of the approaching election, lin which he
candidate for reGlection because he thought it
best, he was filing number Of vacancies in Offices
throughout the State by returned Confederates did
not know this, as it was none Of business, until
learned It by the constant appeals made to me by
who we're turned out to give place to newcomers
whom they did not think deserving and only speak
Of it now because it led afterward to bitterness and
shedding Of blood, in which the military were to some
extent involved
The governor reelected and the legislature met;
but it was found that the governor had will and
the legislature had another. Each hated the other,
and trouble was sure to come. Not only the le-
gislaure in antagonism with the governor but ALL or
IF