WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1844
256
Red River County, where he practised law and became one of the most popular orators of the state. During the 1850's he moved to Clinton, DeWitt County, and there built up a · good law practice. When the Civil War broke out, he enlisted in the Confederate army and was elected Lieutenant Colonel. He joined Sibley's Brigade and went to New Mexico and Arizona, where he participated in the battles of Peralto, Valverde, and Glorietta. Upon his return to Texas he was immediately appointed to the command of the Eastern Military sub-district. In 1863 he was commissioned Brigadier General and assigned to duty under General Dick Taylor in Louisiana, and there he was killed at the battle of Saline (also called Jenkins' Ferry), on April 30, 1864. See Oran M. Roberts, Texas, in C. A. Evans, Confeclerate Military History, XI, 256-257; I<'ulmore, The History and Geogra1>hy of Texas as Tolcl in County Names, 254; Homer S. Thrall, A Picto1·ia.l H.istory of Texas, 615; Sid Johnson, Texans Who Wo1·c the Gmy, 245 Victor M. Rose, So·m.e Historical Facts in Regard to the Settlement of Victoria, Texas, etc., 195; E. W. Winkler (ed.), Sec.ret Journals of the Senate, Republic of Texas, 1836-1845, p. 202. To WASHINGTON D. M1LLER 1 Executive Department, Washington, February 14h, 1844. (Secret) To Washington D. Miller,2 Esquire: Sir,-A special secret mission having been by law instituted, for the purpose of more efficiently prosecuting negotiations be- tween the Governments of Texas and the United States, for the annexation of the former to the latter state; and it being found necessary, for the more speedy and convenient action of this Government in the Premises, that a Secretary to said special mission should be appointed: Therefore, reposing special trust and full confidence in your patriotism, integrity, and capacity, I have, and do by these pres- ents authorize and appoint you Secretary as aforesaid, for the purposes aforesaid: Hereby giving and investing you with all the rights and privileges thereunto pertaining, under the laws of nations and this Republic. Given under my hand and private seal, at this place, and on the day and year above mentioned. Sam Houston 11tfiller Papers; also Executive Record Book, No. 40, p. 340, Texas State Library. ~Washington D. Miller. See Volume II, 389.
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