You are requested to make a representation of the facts to be gathered
from these papers to Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys, and to protest against the
reception within the military lines occupied by French troops in Mexico
of any of the property above mentioned, expressing at the same time the
expectation of this government that prompt satisfaction thereof will be
made to the military authorities of the United States in that
vicinity.
You will inform Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys that renewed instructions have been
given to the general commanding the United States military forces in
Texas to
[Page 401]
permit no aggressive
movements of troops under his command within Mexican territory, unless
special instructions to that effect from the War Department should be
rendered necessary by a condition of affairs not now anticipated.
John Bigelow, Esq., &c., &c., &c.
Office U. S. Military Telegraph, War
Department.
The following telegram received in
cipher at Washington 5.30 a. m. June 30, 1865:
New Orleans,
La., June 28,
1865.
General: I have just returned from a
harried trip along the coast of Texas. The following is, to the best
of my knowledge, the condition of affairs there: The Kirby Smith and
Canby surrender was, for the most part, a swindle on the part of
Kirby Smith & Co., as all the Texas troops had disbanded or had
been discharged and gone home before the commissioners were sent to
General Canby. Kirby Smith, Magruder, Shelby, Slaughter, Walker, and
others, of military rank, have gone to Mexico. Everything on wheels,
artillery, horses, mules, &c., have been run over into Mexico.
Large and small bands of rebel soldiers, and some citizens amounting
to about two thousand, have crossed the Rio Grande into Mexico, some
allege with the intention of going to Sonora.
The Lucy Given, a small steamer, was surrendered at Matagorda, but
was carried off and is now anchored at Bagdad, on the Rio
Grande.
There is no doubt in my mind that the representatives of the imperial
government along the Rio Grande have encouraged this wholesale
plunder of property belonging to the United States government, and
that it will only be given up when we go and take it. General Steele
says the French officers are very saucy and insulting to our people
at Brownsville.
Juarez does not appear to have any force of consequence on the Rio
Grande. I cannot hear of any movements. The rebels who have gone to
Mexico have sympathies with the imperialists, and this feeling is
undoubtedly reciprocated.
I will direct General Steele to make a demand on the French
authorities at Matamoras for a return of the property. The Lucy
Given is a tangible case.
A Mexican steamer, loaded with cotton and flying the American flag,
was captured a few days since between Rio Grande City and
Brownsville. After the surrender eight hundred and twenty-six (826)
bales of Confederate States cotton, stored at Rio Grande City, were
crossed into Mexico, and this is only one item.
There is a good deal of irritation between French officials at
Matamoras and our people, and the Maximilian party is getting
nervous. My scouts report from Matamoras that seven thousand (7,000)
troops are marching from the interior to that place; also that Mejia
is working on the rifle-pits around Matamoras. This reported
re-enforcement I give for what it is worth.
P. H. SHERIDAN,
Major General
Commanding.
Lieutenant General U. S. Grant,
Commanding Armies United States, Washington,
D. C.
