Kirby Smith's made the surrender official in the Trans-Mississippi. Stand Watie's Cherokees were still in the field in the Indian Territory and the
CSS Shenandoah was still active in the Pacific, but they were isolated units. Smith and his officers must have been astounded at how quickly their control unraveled. On May 4, MG J. B. Magruder wrote the following after receiving word of disaster in the east.
HDQRS. DIST. OF TEXAS, NEW MEXICO, AND ARIZONA,
Houston, May 4, 1865.
To the People and Army of Texas:
CITIZENS AND SOLDIERS: The news which reaches us from the East, though wanting confirmation, and in my opinion entirely untrue, is such as to make even more sacred than ever the obligation which is on every soldier and every citizen to perform his whole duty.
Citizens, encourage by Your patriotic example Your noble Texan soldiers in performing their duty! Soldiers, stand by Your venerated and illustrious President in his misfortunes, and above all present to Your foe a united, firm, and defiant front, and to the world the spectacle of an army of citizen soldiers determined under any circumstances to be true to their duty, to be faithful to their beloved Confederacy, and ready at any moment to put down depredators on their innocent fellow-citizens and traitors to their country who seek by every means to undermine Your fidelity!
The path of duty and the path of interest is here, as it is everywhere, the same. Let all good soldiers exercise over their weaker comrades the moral influence which the good and noble always possess.
Soldiers, give to Your officers not only Your official obedience, but Your cordial, moral support.
We have immense power in our hands. Let us wield it as both honor and interest dictate, thus commanding the respect of our enemies, securing our own rights, and preserving public order and decorum. Come what may, we will thus be true to our colors and to the interests of the great State of Texas. We are not whipped, and no matter what events may transpire elsewhere, recollect that we never will be whipped.
J. BANKHEAD MAGRUDER,
Major-General, Commanding.
Less than two weeks later Magruder's tune had changed. Even though the Confederate officers weren't willing to accept the inevitable, the soldiers knew and they voted with their feet.
HOUSTON, May 16, 1865.
General E. KIRBY SMITH,
Commanding Trans-Mississippi Department, Shreveport:
GENERAL: On the night of the 14th instant, from most reliable information that can be obtained, some 400 of the troops attempted to desert the post of Galveston with arms in their hands. Colonel Smith, by prompt action, supported by Colonel Timmons' and Colonel Hobby's regiments, arrested their advance and restored quiet. I learn from Major-General Maxey, that, notwithstanding all his efforts, he cannot produce such a state of feeling in his division as will justify him in depending upon their resisting. I have seen letters from intelligent officers in Walker's infantry division who state that those troops will fight no longer. I have sent for General Walker and he will be here to-day; will add what he may say after I see him. The officers and men insist upon dividing the property before the surrender, and I think it ought to be done as I have telegraphed you. I have exerted myself more than I ever did to in still a spirit of resistance into the men, but in vain. I but make myself antagonistic to the army and an object of their displeasure. Nothing more can be done except to satisfy the soldiers, to induce them to preserve their organization, and to send them in regiments, &c., to their homes, with as little damage to the community as possible. For God's sake act or let me act.
J. B. MAGRUDER,
Major-General, Commanding.
P. S. -I entirely concur in the foregoing. I will say in addition that my observation convinces me that the troops of this district cannot be relied upon. They consider the contest a hopeless one, and will lay down their arms at the first appearance of the enemy. This is the unanimous opinion of the brigade and regimental commanders of Forney's division whom I have this day consulted. The cavalry are still firm and quiet, but only waiting for what they consider the inevitable result, viz, surrender.
Respectfully, &c.,
J. G. WALKER,
Major-General, Commanding Division of Cavalry
Forum Host
(I always think that the closer one looks at "the beginning" and "the end," the murkier the situation appears, almost until one must conclude that it never began and never ended...)
Bringing the