Main/Military Plaza in San Antonio in Bexar County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
General David E. Twiggs
Surrender of Federal Forces by
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 31, 2010
1. General David E. Twiggs Marker
Brought about as Texas moved to expel 2600 Federal troops – a step necessary after secession. Frontier fighter Ben McCulloch with 400 volunteers forced surrender negotiations at headquarters of Gen. Twiggs a block and a half from here, by 4 representatives of the Texas Committee on Public Safety.
Talks began Feb. 8, 1861; were stalled by Feb. 15. That night 90 of McCulloch’s men stole in, fixed guns on Federal sentries and garrison in Alamo Plaza. 300 more Texas troops entered the city. The 160 men of Twigg’s force were disarmed and held in quarters. On Feb. 16, Gen. Twiggs agreed to evacuate his troops with arms and personal gear. Further pressure was used and on Feb. 18 he surrendered over $3,000,000 worth of Federal property; ordnance, wagons, mules, horses, supplies, money and a chain of forts.
Gen. Twiggs, native of Georgia, career soldier, veteran of War of 1812 and Mexican War, was 70 and in poor health. He held sacred his oath as an officer. Since Dec. 27, 1860, he had written 4 times to his superior in Washington General of the Army Winfield Scott, for orders to use in event Texas seceded. He had no reply. Nevertheless, surrender brought him dismissal for treachery – and personal heartbreak.
Erected 1965 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • War of 1812 • War, Mexican-American • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is February 8, 1864.
Location. 29° 25.497′ N, 98° 29.634′ W. Marker is in San Antonio, Texas, in Bexar County. It is in Main/Military Plaza. Marker is at the intersection of Commerce Street and Main Avenue, on the left when traveling west on Commerce Street. Marker is on the wall near the NE corner of the Municipal Plaza Building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 114 W Commerce Street, San Antonio TX 78205, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Woll Invasion (here, next to this marker); T.C. Frost and the Frost Bank (a few steps from this marker); Main Plaza - Plaza de las Islas (a few steps from this marker); Civil War Centennial 1861 - 1961 (a few steps from this marker); Cock Fighting (within shouting distance of this marker); White Elephant (within shouting distance of this marker); Games of Chance (within shouting distance of this marker); The Old Cathedral (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Antonio.
Also see . . .
1. David E. Twiggs. (Submitted on May 2, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 31, 2010
2. General David E. Twiggs Marker
2. David E. Twiggs. (Submitted on May 2, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 31, 2010
3. General David E. Twiggs Marker
Obscured at extreme right edge of photo.
Internet Archive
4. General David E. Twiggs
From Harper's Pictorial History of the Civil War by Alfred H. Guernsey & Henry Mills Alden, 1894.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 2, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,707 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 2, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 4. submitted on November 24, 2020, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.
