Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1884-09-05
General Twigg's Swords.

At the Bureau Of Engraving and Print
| ing in Washington the visitor is shown
as one the objects Of interest, wooden
case containing three swords sheathed
! in scabbards OF rare and costly work
nanship. A single glance is sufficient
to convince him that they are in all
respects a superior article, but he opens
| his eyes to their full extent when the
guide assures him in an o1acular tone
| that those swords cost $35, 900. The most
elaborate Of the three bears the following
inscr iption: E. .s,,.r i. ~.
Presented by the president of the
United States, agreeable to o resolution
ofcongress, to Brigadier General David
u. Twiggs, in testimony OF the high
sense entertained by congress of his gal
lantry and good conduct at the storming
OF Monterey, May and 8, 1916 Res
olution approved March 2, 1867.
1t is evident that Congress in those
days had an appreciation Of soldierly
valor, IS appropriated $40, 900 for this
sword presented to General Iwigs. It
beautifully ornamented with precious
stones, and various devices, suggestive
OF military exploits Engraved upon it
is representation of the battle of Mon
terey. Another of the swords bears an
inscription showing that it was present
ed to General Twigs by his fellow citi-
zens Of Aug lsta, Ga, where he lived.
This one is said to have cost $4,000.
S,I 4rrk II 4> ~
Twiggs from the State OF Georgia., it's
value being fixed at the more moderate
sum of $4,000. It has engraved upon it
the names Of Monterey, Palo, Alto,
Cerro Gordo, and other battles in Mexi-
co in which General Twigs was engaged.
1t is we'll known how Twiggs lost the
good name he gained by fighting for
the flag in MEXICO. Just prior to the late
war he was in command of the depart
ment of Texas, with his headquarters at
San Antonio. With the first rumblings
Of the approaching conflict he made
haste to cast his fortunes with the re-
bel]ious States. Nearly two months
before the war was actually begun by
the attack on Fort Sumter he turned
over to the rebel authorities Of Texas
all the arms, ammunition and govern
ment property under his control. and
surrendered his soldiers as prisoners of
war. The records of the army show
that for this traitorous action he was
dismissed the service on March 1, 1861.
Twiggs was then an old man-nearly
seventy. He was too intirm for active
field service, and he did nothing there
after to make him conspicuous. In
deed the great destroyer was upon his
track, and left him but little time to
''set his house in order" He returned
to his old home in Augusta and died
broken hearted, it is said, Sept. /, 1862.
His swords, mementos, and his former
glory were deposited for safe keep
ing in the vaults of a bank in New
Orleans. They fell into the hands
of General Butler when he captured
that city, and were by him ''confscated"
and sent to President Lincoln in 1862.
They We're turned over to the Treasury
Department for safe keeping. Their
custodian became connected with the
Bureau of Engraving and Printing,
which is branch of the treasury.
When the bureau was removed to the
new building, near the Smithsonian, he
took the swords with him, and there
they remain, even unto this day. 4 few
years ago the heirs of General Twiggs
filed with the Government claim for
the swords, placing their value at $685.
900. They want either the swords or
the money---the latter preferred, as
they probably would not bring by AUG
tion q quarter of that sum.
A striking illustration of the freaks
wrought by the 'fwhirl1gig Of time is
found in the fact that General Butler
is the attorney for the claimants. He
has been trying for years to secure a
restoration Of the swords OF their value
in currency of the realm, but has not
yet succeeded. lChicago InterOcean.