His teachings may be right or wrong,
His heart was upright, true, and brave,

And worthy of a nobler song,

These blossoms brought from Bunyan's grave.

VI.

HOW TEXAS WAS SURRENDERED.

A MILITARY SKETCH.

In the early part of the year 1861, it so happened that the writer was stationed on the frontiers of Texas. Our post was called Fort D, and was located on the Great Southern Overland Mail Route leading to California. It was about four hundred miles to the north of San Antonio, and nearly one hundred miles to the south of the Mexican town of El Paso. The adjacent country was truly beautiful and picturesque; it was made up of rolling prairies, mountains (which were spurs of the Rocky Chain), cañons, and bold passes. This section could not be surpassed for wild beauty and natural scenery, and the genial atmosphere, which winter and summer was to be found there, added to the healthfulness of the locality. The antelope, with their lithe and graceful muscular action, sported in great numbers continuously in sight of our quarters, and innumerable other species of game were abundant. To the hunter and the lover of nature ours was a happy home, free from the cares and troubles incident to business life in our great towns and cities. The crystal streams of pure mountain spring water, bounding over rocks and through dales to reach a grand outlet, furnished us pure water, and in season they gave us an ample supply of water-fowls so common in the southern and more tropical latitudes. The only drawback to this picture were the Indians, who infested the neighborhood and rendered it dangerous for a person to venture far from the fort without he was mounted on a fleet horse and was well armed. The little cemetery attached to our post contained many a head-board over the remains of some soldier or traveler who

had been inhumanly slain by these Apaches, and each of these unfortunate cases would be deserving of recital had we the time and opportunity, but we must leave them in their final resting-places, rude as they are, and pass on to our proper sketch.

It was the duty of the garrison of the chain of outposts to protect emigrants, travelers, settlers, and to render every assistance to the overland mail. We were frequently called upon for escorts, and now and then detachments had to be sent out to punish the Indians, and force them, at least temporarily, to desist from their nefarious crimes. Our garrison was weak in numbers, still it was self-reliant, and counted itself able to cope with these red men and their allies. We had often met them in battle and skirmishes, and it was rather a pleasure than otherwise for the soldiers to learn they were to start on a scout. Often have I seen those, whose duties compelled them to be left behind, beg for the privilege of accompanying the proposed expedition, and when refused, with tears in their eyes, reluctantly return to their labors. Strange as this fancy may appear, nevertheless it is true that soldiers generally, on the frontiers, love danger, and it may be because it somewhat changes the monotony of their lives. The overland mail coaches continued to run regularly during the winter of 1860-'61, although their route toward the spring was frequently beset by Indians, outlaws, and horse-thieves. The employees on this public highway were mostly Northern and Western men, and to the last I believe them to have proven loyal to their trusts. In our isolated position, the mail was always a constant subject of interest and anxiety. The usual time required to make the journey by one of these coaches, from point to point, was about twenty-two days, and every thing was so systematized, by means of station-houses and fresh relays of animals, that they rarely failed to accomplish the journey in the stated period, unless some unforeseen accident occurred. The conductors, drivers, and passengers traveled heavily armed, and not unfrequently they had to fight their way through, which did not deter others from following their example. Twice each week these coaches arrived at and, without unnecessary delay, took their departure

from our post, and the echo of a peculiar sounding bugle, carried by the driver, announced their coming, in order that we should be on the alert to receive the mail destined for the inhabitants of our fort. The sound of this bugle awoke us frequently at various hours of the night, and it was not only refreshing music, but also exceedingly welcome to men anxious to learn glad tidings from those who were far distant and very dear to them. Hardly would the postmaster open his doors before a crowd would gather around him, each one ready to render him every assistance, so eager were they to gain the latest news, and soon all would be busy scanning papers and letters, and communicating to each other matters of interest and importance. In this manner months and even years had passed with some of us, when suddenly we read and heard that the mail coaches would probably eventually be obliged to cease running, owing to great political and sectional difficulties. The great storm which was to follow was then brewing, and before it was fairly inaugurated our communications by this source were severed, and we were left for our information of the great events transpiring to more indirect and uncertain channels. Texas seceded, by fair means or not, I am unable to say, although I am somewhat skeptical on the subject, judging from the number of votes cast in the county where we were located, the population of which, outside of our Fort Reservation, was so small that we were unable to ascertain where the voters were found, unless the prairie-dogs were original secessionists and were counted. In March of this same year, orders came from the commanding officer of the Department to turn over the various posts in Texas to the State troops sent to relieve them, and strict injunctions were given that the property belonging to the Government, and contained therein, should be delivered to State Commissioners. It was further ordered that nothing should be destroyed, and the officers and soldiers were particularly enjoined to treat these citizens with the greatest consideration and respect, and as far as lay in their power to assist and protect them in their duties. Having accomplished this much of the programme, we were directed to withdraw from our posts in good order, march down the country, and concentrate at a given point,

where we were to await negotiations between the State and the General Government. Notwithstanding some misgivings. of the wisdom of this policy, we consoled ourselves with the maxim that "it is the solemn duty of a soldier to obey legitimate orders and not to question their propriety," leaving the consequences and their responsibility to rest where they rightly belonged. Before evacuating the post, the flagstaff was cut down, as it was determined by our officers that no other than the national flag should ever be given to the breeze from its halyards. The few, numerically small companies destined to accompany us, and who were obliged to march from adjacent territories, having arrived, and every thing being in readiness, we started in April on our march toward the sea-coast. In this little command, consisting of about three hundred men and ten officers, there was visible a certain degree of sadness, for it was impossible not to feel that this was the first move on our part in some great and hidden mystery. At a most critical period in our country's history, we had been without truthful and reliable intelligence that would enlighten us for several weeks, and trusting in the honor and integrity of our superior officers, from day to day we traveled onward, hoping ere long, and as we approached the bounds of civilization, to be better informed in regard to passing events. Nothing of moment transpired while on our route until we reached Fort C- -, where, to our astonishment and dismay, we found artillery in position, barricades thrown across the main road, and the fort filled with armed State troops, ready to impede our further progress. Explanations were asked and given, to the effect that it was reported we were marching down the country with several thousand Indian allies to capture the forts and towns lying on our road.

Finding these rumors to have been unfounded, the commander of the fort offered apologies for his action, supplied us with provisions, and we proceeded on our journey. Now, for the first time, we began to surmise that either treachery or deceit was at work; still, not wishing to complicate in any way affairs of State, we kept our own counsel and refrained from acts of violence. The truth was that matters had reached

such a pass that there was little else for us to do, and come what might we must brave the storm.

On reaching the town of C, twenty miles distant from San Antonio, we became convinced, from the actions of the inhabitants and from the remarks which were let fall by them, that we were looked upon as a common enemy, and must meet our fate like men and soldiers. Every precaution was taken to prevent a surprise, and we began now to act on the defensive. That evening we went into camp as usual, threw out a strong picket line, and gave the impression that we intended to remain for the night where we were encamped, but at midnight orders were given to repack our baggage, stores, &c., and to move as soon as possible. Leaving the camp fires burning brightly, we resumed the march, and by daylight we had reached a commanding position on an elevation, nine miles from San Antonio, and where was located a stone house. Here we began to ascertain the truth, for in the farm-house we discovered and captured a number of persons, including ladies, who had come out from San Antonio for the express purpose of seeing us captured, as they said, by Gen. Earl Van Dorn and his army of Texans.

Here our commanding officer arranged his small force as best he could, and had hardly completed this work before a flag of truce, consisting of two officers and an orderly, came riding up to our picket line and desired to see our commander. Having gained admission into our camp, they informed us that they were sent by Gen. Van Dorn, who, with several thousand organized troops and several pieces of artillery, was advancing to capture us if we should resist, and that they were directed to demand our surrender to the Southern Confederacy. They further stated that our commanding general had left Texas to join their armies, and that they had captured the steamer sent to transport us out of the country, and now held as prisoners of war many of our soldiers.

The Southern Confederacy not one of us had ever heard of before, neither were these words to be found on any of our charts or maps. The whole affair appeared like a strange dream, and yet it was, to us, an unfortunate reality. These men then had declared war on us without ever intimating their