WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1861
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a major general in the army of the Confederate States, and at that time was the only ranking general of the army. He served at New Orleans in the early part of the war, but on account of his age and infirmities was compelled to retire from active service. After the Mexican War, he had been voted three splendid swords: one by the United States Government "for his magnificent service"; one by the Legislature of Georgia; and one by his native city of Augusta. The sword given him by the United States Congress had a richly hand-carved hilt jeweled with precious stones, while the scabbard was of solid gold. When General B. F. Butler took New Orleans, he found these swords which had been left in the care of a woman of that city for safe keeping. General Butler turned them over to the United States Government, and for many years they were exhibited in the Treasury Department at Washington. In 1889 they were returned to Gen- eral Twiggs' family, after a long-continued effort on their part, to regain possession of them. General Twiggs was twice married. His first wife was Elizabeth Hunter of Virginia; his second was Mrs. Hunt, of New Orleans. General Twiggs died, September 1, 1862, and is buried in the Twiggs old family cemetery, ten miles from the city of Augusta, Georgia. See The National Encycloped·ia of Am.erican Biography, IV, 102. 2 John M. S_mith was a Texas Ranger Captain. See his appointment as a ranger captain, March 17, 1860. MESSAGE TO THE LEGISLATURE OF TEXAS, IN EXTRA SESSION 1 Executive Department, Austin, Texas, January 21, 1861. Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Representatives: You have been convened in extra session, in view of the un- settled condition of our national affairs, the continued invasion of our frontier by Indians, and the embarrassed condition of our Treasury. To these subjects alone your attention wm be invited, and it is hoped that only matters which are incident to these subjects will meet your consideration. The defence or the State being a paramount object, the Exec- utive will first press the necessity of providing for the same upon your consideration. When the Executive came into office, the frontier was entirely unguarded, except by Federal troops. The Indians unrestrained by the presence of rangers, embraced the favorable opportunity, and gained a foothold in the coun- try, and ere their presence was known and means could be adopted to repel them, commenced a series of depredations which struck terror to the settlements. Their savage work was not confined to the frontier alone, but extended to counties within fifty miles of the capital. Although not apprised of this state of things, the Executive had made such provision for the defense of the frontier as
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