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JOHN P. SHERBURNE AND H. CLAY WOOD.
[To accompany bill H. R. No. 564.]

JULY 10, 1862.-Ordered to be printed.

Mr. DUNN, from the Committee on Military Affairs, made the following

REPORT.

The Committee on Military Affairs, to whom were referred the memorial of Captain John P. Sherburne, of the 1st United States infantry, and also the memorial of Captain H. Clay Wood, of the 11th United States infantry, respectfully report:

That, although these are separate memorials, yet as the claims for relief rest substantially upon the same facts, the committee have thought proper to consider the cases together, and so report them to the House.

They present, first, the memorial of Captain Sherburne and the accompanying papers:

To the honorable the Senate and House of Representatives in Congress assembled:

The memorial of Captain John P. Sherburne, of the 1st infantry (regulars) United States army, respectfully represents :

1st. That he was stationed in Texas, at Camp Cooper, in February, 1861, at the time General Twiggs surrendered that department to the rebel forces. That the post was evacuated in conformity with the department order No. 5, of February 18, 1861, and Post Order No. 13, of February 20, 1861, copies of which accompany this. That owing to the very limited means of transportation, such as could be had being used in removing government property, he was compelled to abandon most all of his private property, and it was consequently lost. This property consisted of household furniture and effects, carriage, saddle, bridle, harness, library, &c. A schedule of this property lost is filed herewith, amounting in the aggregate to one thousand and ninety-seven dollars.

Your memorialist therefore prays that Congress will pass an act for his benefit, indemnifying him for this loss. And, as in duty bound, will ever pray.

JOHN P. SHERBURNE,

Captain 1st Infantry.

Special Orders No. 5.]

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF TEXAS,

San Antonio, February 18, 1861.

The State of Texas having demanded, through its commissioners, the delivery of its military posts and public property within the limits of this command, and the commanding general desiring to avoid even the possibility of a collision between the federal and State troops, the post will be evacuated by their garrisons, and these will take up. as soon as the necessary preparations can be made, the line of march out of Texas, by the way of the coast, marching out with their arms, (the light batteries with their guns,) clothing, camp and garrison equipage, quartermaster's stores, subsistence, medical, hospital stores, and such means of transportation of every kind, as may be necessary for an efficient and orderly movement of the troops, prepared for attack or defence against aggression from any source. The troops will carry with them provisions as far as the coast. By order of Brevet Major General Twiggs.

W. A. NICHOLS, Assistant Adjutant General.

I certify that the above is a true copy.

JOHN P. SHERBURNE,
Captain 1st Infantry.

Orders No. 13.]

HEADQUARTERS CAMP COOPER, TEXAS,
February 20, 1861.

According to the terms of agreement settled upon between the commanding officer of this camp and the State authorities of the State of Texas, the camp will be evacuated to-morrow, and the command will take up the line of march for San Antonio.

The command will move with the necessary transportation-their usual equipments of arms and horses-and sufficient commissary and medical stores and company property for the march to San Antonio. All other public property of every description will be abandoned and left in camp without being injured, to be taken possession of by the authorities of the State of Texas.

By command of Captain S. D. Carpenter.

WALTER JONES,

First Lieutenant First Infantry, Post Adjutant.

I certify that the above is a true copy.

JOHN

P. SHERBURNE,

Captain First Infantry.

A correct schedule of property abandoned and lost by Captain John P. Sherburne, First Infantry, United States army, in consequence of the surrender of the department of Texas.

Furniture, bedding, mess furniture, and clothing left at

Camp Stockton, Texas...

$100 00

Furniture, bedding, mess furniture, and clothing left at
Camp Cooper, Texas..

375 00

Carpeting and matting left at Camp Cooper...
Ambulance, harness, saddle, bridle, &c., left at coast...
Mess furniture, cooking utensils, and bedding left at the
coast...

102 00

400 00

70 00

Library left at Camp Cooper, Texas · ·

50 00

1,097 00

JOHN P. SHERBURNE,

Captain First Infantry, United States Army.

They present, secondly, the memorial of Captain H. Clay Wood, with the accompanying papers:

To the honorable the Senate and House of Representatives in Congress assembled:

The memorial of Captain H. Clay Wood, of the 11th United States infantry, respectfully represents: That he was stationed in Texas, in May, 1861, on duty at Fort Cobb, when the General Order No. 5, of General Twiggs, commanding that department, was issued for the evacuation of the military posts in Texas by the federal troops, and the surrender of them to the State or rebel authorities; that in pursuance of such order, Post Order No. 87 was issued at Fort Cobb for the evacuation of that post, and the abandonment of all private and company property; that in consequence of these orders, and the absence of any means of transportation, your memorialist was obliged to abandon all of his household effects, two boxes of clothing, lady's wearing apparel, saddle and horse equipments, library, and many other articles mentioned in the schedule accompanying this memorial, amounting in value to the aggregate sum of fifteen hundred dollars.

Your memorialist therefore respectfully asks that Congress will pass an act reimbursing him for this loss, made in the service of his country and in the faithful performance of his duty, and without any negligence or fault on his part. And, as in duty bound, will ever pray. H. CLAY WOOD,

Captain 11th U. S. Infantry, now serving under Gen. Frémont.

N. B.-Copies of General Order No. 5 and Post Order No. 87 are furnished herewith.

Two boxes of clothing

One box three feet square contained a lady's wardrobe, bed
linen, blankets, and feather pillows, $75; table linen and
towels, $25. This box was closely packed with articles
of value.

One box, large army chest, 3 feet long by 1 each way,
containing gentleman's wardrobe, several of the most
valuable articles being Mexican blankets, $50; Mexican
overalls, $15; sword, sash, belt, full dress hat, and uni-
form epaulets, the box being closely packed.
One saddle and horse equipments

One guitar and books.

Walnut wardrobe

Dining extension table...
Dressing bureau ...

Sink and washstand
Crib and bedstead
Mattress...

...

...

Two crib armed-chairs, $3 75 each
Two rocking chairs, $5 each....

Boxing of furniture..

.....

Twenty-five yards of fine three-ply carpeting, at $1 25.......
Binding for same

One tapestry mat

...

Cask of crockery, two sets balanced ivory-handled knives, britannia tea service, carving knife, fork, rasp, and

waiters

Musquito bar rods and net, pillows and cases

Stove, cooking utensils, extra waffle irons, boilers, shovel,
tongs, and smoothing irons...

Thirty-three yards of muslin, at 20 cts.; 1 Marseilles spread
Five yards of damask, at $2 25; 3 yards, at $1 25; 1 pair
of curtain loops, $1; 8 yards of curtain gimp, at 50 cents
Five gallons of coal oil, at $1
These articles were bought in Cincinnati, and taken as far
as Indianola, Texas, when, for want of transportation,
they were left in care of Lieutenant James P. Major, as-
sistant quartermaster, to await a train, who, proving dis-
loyal, resigned. General Twiggs, being in command of
the whole department, gave up all property both private
and public. These things were given up without being
any benefit to the owners.

Mess arrrangements..

Thirty-six yards ingrain carpeting, at $1

Mattress, $8; comforts, $3; blankets, $5; pillows, $2 50; 2 camp chairs, $3; camp stools, $2 50; water buckets, $1 Sink, bedstead, bureau, chairs, tables, wardrobe, and other household articles

$500 00

60 00

25.00

20.00

15.00

15 00

10.00

12.00

20.00

750

10.00

750

31 25

1.00

5.00

75.00

10.00

35 50

11 60

20 62

5.00

25.00 36 00

25.00

50.00

These articles were bought in San Antonio and other places in Texas to supply deficiencies and left at Fort Cobb, when abandoned by positive orders of the commander. Valuable library of histories, military books, Spanish, German, French, and English lexicons-in all, over 100 vol

umes

One box of clothing...
Abandoned by order at quartermaster's storehouse, Fort
Arbuckle, and fell into the hands of Texas rangers. These
are but the principal articles, a thousand and one things
being unmentioned, of clothing and household.
Ambulance and harness, about...

Total...

$150 00 75 00

242 03

1,500 00

Special Orders No. 5.]

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF TEXAS,
San Antonio, February 18, 1861.

The State of Texas having demanded, through its commissioners, the delivery of its military posts and public property within the limits of this command, and the commanding general desiring to avoid even the possibility of a collision between the federal and State troops, the posts will be evacuated by their garrisons, and these will take up, as soon as the necessary preparations can be made, the line of march out of Texas, by way of the coast, marching out with their arms, (the light batteries with their guns,) clothing, camp, and garrison equipage, quartermaster's stores, subsistence, medical, hospital stores, and such means of transportation of every kind as may be necessary for an efficient and orderly movement of the troops, prepared for attack or defence against aggressions from any source. The troops will carry with them provisions as far as the coast. By order of Brevet Major General Twiggs.

A true copy.

Orders No. 87.]

W. A. NICHOLS, Assistant Adjutant General.

JOHN P. SHERBURNE,
Captain 1st Infantry.

HEADQUARTERS FORT COBB, I. T., May 4, 1861.

The troops of this command will march this evening. All company and private property will be abandoned. The knapsacks will be worn by the troops, and no one will be permitted to take more than is necessary for the road.

By order of Captain Plummer.

H. CLAY WOOD,
Lieutenant and Adjutant.

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