2d Session. No. 140. JOHN P. SHERBURNE AND H. CLAY WOOD. 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, 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. I certify that the above is a true copy. W. A. NICHOLS, Assistant Adjutant General. JOHN P. SHERBURNE, Orders No. 13.] HEADQUARTERS CAMP COOPER, TEXAS, 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 375 00 Carpeting and matting left at Camp Cooper. 102 00 Ambulance, harness, saddle, bridle, &c., left at coast... - coast... Library left at Camp Cooper, Texas · 400 00 70 00 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. One box three feet square contained a lady's wardrobe, bed One box, large army chest, 3 feet long by 1 each way, .... One guitar and books. Mattress..... ... Twenty-five yards of fine three-ply carpeting, at $1 25......... 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, Thirty-three yards of muslin, at 20 cts.; 1 Marseilles spread of curtain loops, $1; 8 yards of curtain gimp, at 50 cents Thirty-six yards ingrain carpeting, at $1 $500 00 60.00 25.00 20.00 15.00 15.00 10.00 12.00 20.00 750 10.00 7.50 31 25 1.00 5.00 75.00 10.00 35 50 11 60 20 62 5800 Mess arrrangements..... 25.00 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. 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 One box of clothing Total. $150 00 75 00 242 03 1,500 00 Special Orders No. 5.] HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF TEXAS, 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, 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. |