In San Antonio on Feb. 16, 1861, Federal armies in Confederate Texas were surrendered by Gen. David E. Twiggs. The soldiers were marched to the coast and sent north as soon as ships could be procured. In April, after war began, all Federals still in Texas were made prisoners of war. There was, however, one Federal unit still armed and not in Confederate custody. Marching southward from Forts Bliss, Davis and Quitman in far west Texas were 320 men of the Federal 8th Infantry, under Col. I.V.D. Reeves. On May 9, here near San Lucas Creek, Col. Earl Van Dorn, Confederate commander of Texas, drew up more than 1000 of his men and a 4-gun battery to meet Reeves. The Federals were on Adams Hill, half a mile in front, also drawn up for battle. Van Dorn sent across the half-mile a demand for surrender. This was refused. A second flag of truce with the same demand was also refused. Van Dorn had his way, with his third request: the the Federal commander come over, see the Confederate strength and surrender without useless bloodshed. The move brought an end soon to the Battle of Adams Hill, without the firing of a shot. Reeves' men were made prisoners of war, interned, and later exchanged.
This page last updated: 7/15/2008 |
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Related Themes: Texas C.S.A., Texas Confederate States of America, Confederacy
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