Mr. Seward to Mr.
Bigelow
No. 375.]
Department of State, Washington,
January 19, 1866.
Sir: The Marquis de Montholon called here
yesterday, and the first topic of conversation between us naturally was
the hostile expedition across the Rio Grande and the capture of Bagdad,
as reported in the newspapers. To an inquiry as to whether the
department had any official information upon the subject, I replied in
the negative. I added that such information was probably in possession
of the War Department only, and I would at once apply to that department
for it, with a view of communicating the same to you in order that you
might make the explanations which will probably be expected by the
French government. Accordingly, a copy of a letter of this date,
addressed to this department by the Secretary of War, and of the papers
by which it was accompanied, is herewith transmitted. From these it is
apparent that the expedition referred to was not authorized and is not
approved by any officer of this government, military or civil, and that
orders have been given to put a stop to any recruiting in Texas for
similar expeditions.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
John Bigelow, Esq., &c., &c., &c.
[Page 276]
Mr. Stanton to Mr. Seward
War Department, Washington City,
January 19, 1866.
Sir: In compliance with the request
contained in your letter of this date for official information
respecting the reported hostile crossing of the Rio Grande from
Texas and the seizure of the town of Bagdad, I send herewith copies
of telegraphic correspondence on the subject received by this
department.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of
War.
Hon. Secretary of State of the United States.
[Untitled]
Headquarters Armies of the
United States, Charleson, S.
C.,
December 1, 1865.
Major General P. H. Sheridan, New Orleans:
In view of probable action by Congress on Mexican affairs, do all you
can to preserve strict neutrality pending such action.
U.S. GRANT, Lieutenant
General.
[Received in cipher, 3 p. m., 17th.]
Office United States Military
Telegraph, War Department, New
Orleans, La.,
January 16, 1866—3 p.
m.
Lieutenant General U. S. Grant, Washington:
In the New Orleans newspapers of this date it is reported that some
of the colored troops crossed over the Rio Grande to assist in the
capture of Bagdad. I do not believe one word of it. Weitzel has the
most peremptory orders to preserve neutrality, and I look on this
crossing of the Rio Grande as a sensation story. I have no official
information from that quarter.
I have sent orders to Weitzel to break up all filibustering
recruiting parties, if necessary to preserve neutrality.
P. H. SHERIDAN, Major
General.
[In cipher.—Time received, 9.50 p.m.]
Office United States Military
Telegraph, War Department, New
Orleans, La.,
January 17, 1866—6.30 p.
m.
Lieutenant General U. S. Grant., Commanding armies United States:
I have directed General Wright to go at once to the Rio Grande to
examine into the condition of affairs there and break up the
fillibustering parties there, who are giving us much annoyance. I
will probably go there myself in a day or two. Meantime but little
credence should be given to published exaggerations in the
newspapers.
P. H. SHERIDAN, Major General,
&c.
[In cipher.—Time received, 10.40 p. m., January 18.]
[Extract.]
Office United States Military
Telegraph, War Department, New
Orleans, La.,
January 17, 1866—1 p.
m.
Lieutenant General U. S. Grant, Commanding armies United States:
The following official information has just reached me from the Rio
Grande: Bagdad was captured on the morning of the 15th January,
between the hours of 2 and 4 a.m. The attacking force was about
sixty men. They captured the Franco-Mexico garrison, about three
hundred strong, one-half of which joined the liberalists and
garrisoned the place.
The attacking party had all disappeared before daylight.
Neither Escobedo nor any one else had any knowledge of this
transaction, but both Escobedo and Crawford posted to the place at
once, and a quarrel ensued between them, and at the request of the
commander of the post a garrison was sent by General Weitzel to
protect the private property of the place, with instructions to
withdraw should any imperialist
[Page 277]
approach the place. I do not sustain this
action, but I presume there can be no objection on the part of the
imperialists, as I protect them. An investigation is now going on to
ascertain if any of our troops were engaged in this transaction. It
appears that they were all present at tattoo and reveille. If
General Weitzel has not already arrested Crawford on the order
already given, I will arrest him.
* * * * * * * * * *
P. B. SHERIDAN, Major General,
Commanding.