151
WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1858
Papers, Texas State Library). On March 3, 1855, he was appointed captain in the Second United States Cavalry, which was commanded by Albert Sidney Johnston. President Pierce had made the appointment upon the highest recommendations from Texas. On October 12, 1855, this cavalry regiment moved from Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, to Texas. On March 15, 1856, a court-martial convened at Fort Mason, Texas, to try Captain Travis on the general charge of conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman, under three specifications. The only one of the three charges worthy of notice was: That Captain Travis "did unscrupulously and dishonorably create and circulate false and slanderous imputations against a fellow- officer." It seems that Travis had beaten this officer at a game of cards and had won a considerable sum of money, a gambling debt that the young captain was not able to collect. Exasperated in his efforts to collect this debt, Travis confidentially told his troubles to three of his friends, and through them the story leaked out. The court-martial found Travis guilty of '.'circulating" the charge against his fellow-officer, but struck out the words "did unscrupulously and dis- honestly create" and "did thereby endeavor to injure the reputation of the said officer." And the only proof of Travis's having circulated the story against his fellow-officer was the fact that he had told three of his friends of the circumstances and had asked their advice as to the best manner of collecting the "debt of honor." Travis was dismissed from service on May 1, 1856. The whole testimony was examined by a joint committee of the legis- lature of Texas, Hon. Edward R. Hood being chairman on the part of the Senate, and Judge Charles S. West, on the part of the House. This com- mittee vindicated Travis, and submitted a resolution, unanimously passed by both houses, on August 28, 1856, asking the President to set aside the verdict, and order a new trial. But for unknown reasons the request for a new trial was denied. It was not long aft~r this trial that Charles Travis was stricken with consumption. He went again to live with his sister on her farm in Washington Cou"nty, and he died there. It is said that Charles Travis, like his father, was a handsome man of kindly, pleasant manners that made him a favorite everywhere. See John Henry Brown, History of Texas, I, 585; Francis B. Heitman, Directory of the United States Army, I, 967; Membe,·s of the Legislature of the State of Texas from 1846 to 1939, p. 20. AN AMENDMENT OFFERED FOR THE PAYMENT OF A DEBT OWED TO THE CITIZENS OF TEXAS, JUNE 8, 1858 1 Mr. Houston. I have an amendment to offer: That $20,000 be appropriated to pay for timber used by the troops of the United States in constructing forts and for other purposes. [After some dialogue, the amendment was declared out of order.] 1 Congressional Globe, Part 3, 1857-1858, p. 2804. This question was one · item of the Army Appropriation Bill.
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