Six decades in Texas; or, Memoirs of Francis Richard Lubbock, governor of Texas in war time, 1861-63. A personal experience in business, war, and politics

Front matter

i vv.

■gLJJ ail,

Copyright N^_

Chapter One

Early Life in South Carolina — La Fayette's Visit to Beaufort — Training under Irish Schoolmasters — Removal to Savannah and Death of My Father — Return to Charleston, and Clerk Life There — Nullification and Compromise, 1832-33 — Clerking and Cotton Buying in Hamburg 1-19

Chapter Two

Business in New Orleans — The Firm of Ketchum & Lubbock, Druggists — Marriage with a Creole Girl in the Crescent City — Louisiana Sugar Planters and Government Protection — My Wife and I on a Visit to My Mother in July, 1835 — Incidents of Our Return Home — Business Reverses and Recuperation — My Brother Tom a Volunteer in the Texas War — Visit to Texas in 1836 — Tom's Story of Adventure — Favorable Impression of Texas and the Texans 20-40

Chapter Three

Removal to Texas — Settlement in the New Town of Houston — Opening of Congress — The Telegraph Newspaper — Indian Pow-wows — Various Incidents — San Jacinto Ball at the Capitol — Celebration at Liberty — Lost and Benighted on the Prairie — First Purchase of Wild Land — Assistant Clerkship in the House of Representatives — Joining the Masons — Currency Meeting — Appointed Comptroller by President Houston — The Philosophical Society 41-70

Chapter Four

War Meeting in Houston — General Albert Sidney Johnston — General Houston as the Author then Viewed Him — Difficulty with Colonel Ward — Visit to Mrs. Powell's — Presidential Candidates — Anecdote of Rusk — Preachers and Churches — "The Glorious Fourth" at Galveston in 1838 — The Bonnell Expedition — Houston's Administration; Its Work — Lamar President — My Experience as a Granger 71-95^

Chapter Five

Our French Naval Visitors in 1838 — Festivities at Houston and Galveston — The Selection of Austin as the Capital of the Republic — In the Commission Business at Houston — General Houston and Bride Our Guests — The Carvass of 1840-41 in

CONTENTS.

Harris County and ily.Election as Clerk of the District Court — The Canvass for the Presidency of the Republic Between Burnet and Houston and the Election of the Latter — Henry Smith Declining to Be a Candidate for Vice-President, Ed Burleson Becomes the Running Mate of Houston and Is Elected — The Santa Fe Expedition — My Brother Tom a Lieutenant in the Expedition — Lamar's Work in the Cause of Education — Expulsion of the Cherokees from Texas — Collapse of the Public Credit, and the Beginning of Retrenchment 96-106

Chapter Six

Some Notable Alen of the Republic: W. H. Wharton, E. S. C. Robertson, Edward Burleson, R. M. Williamson, Robert Wilson, Richard Ellis, Henry Smith, Emory Raines, Dr. Alexander Ewing, Thomas F. McKinney, Sam ]\I. Williams, and William L. Hunter 107-119

Chapter Seven

Method of Business in the Clerk's Office — ;My Fondness for Horses — Purchase of a Ranch and Stocking It — Removal to My Ranch in 1847 — Our Neighbors — Agricultural Work and Stockraising — A Round-up — Incidents in the Life of a Cowboy — The Laziest Man in Texas — JNIy Negro Stockmen — As a Cattle Baron— The Cattle Trade Then and Now 120-140

Chapter Eight

Honors to President-elect Houston En Route to the Capital — His Inauguration and the Inaugural Ball — Appointments by the President— Comptroller Again — How Austin Then Appeared — Resign the Comptrollership and Return to Houston — The Workings of Retrenchment — The Exchequer System in Finance — The Vasquez Raid — Called Session of Congress at Houston — The WoU Raid — Volunteers — The Somervell Expedition — Dissensions and Disaster at Mier — The Texas Prisoners — Congress at Washington — Depreciation of the Exchequers — Seat of Government Troubles — Complimentary Resolutions to President Houston 141-156

Chapter Nine

Anson Jones President — His Policy Outlined in His Inaugural Address — Discussion of Annexation Between Mr. Donelson and Secretary Allen — The Seat of Government Trouble Again — Houston on Annexation — My Letter to President Jones — Mexico Conditionally Acknowledges Independence of Texas — Various Annexation Meetings — Convention of 1845 — The Republic in Danger — President Jones Vindicates Himself — Annexation Consummated — The Closing Scene and the President's Farewell Address 157-178

CONTENTS.

Chapter Ten

Texas in the Union — Henderson Governor — The Mexican War — Texans at IMonterey — General Henderson and His Brigade — Ben McCulloch and Buena Vista — Hays and Walker with Scott — Peace and Territorial Expansion — Democratic Party Organization — The Glor'ous Fourth at Austin in 1846 — Educational Interests in Houston — Henderson's Welcome Home — His Character 179-189

Chapter Eleven

Wood's Administration — Federal Usurpation at Santa Fe — The Public Debt — Governor Bell — Settlement of the Santa Fe Question — Seat of Government Election — Texas Newspapers — Scaling the Public Debt — Whig Convention in 1852 — Election of Pease as Governor over Ochiltree — Education, Railroads, Public Buildings — Settlement of the Public Debt — The Know-Nothing Party — The Organized Democracy in 1856 — Know-Nothing Convention at Austin — Houston the Know-Nothing Leader in Texas — The National Canvass, and Personal Incidents 190-208

Chapter Twelve

Waco Convention and Its Nominees, Runnels and Lubbock vs. Houston and Grimes — Candidates for Congress — Canvass for the State Ticket — Reagan and Evans Difficulty — Various Incidents — Complete Democratic Victory 209-222

Chapter Thirteen

The vSeventh Legislature — Election of United States Senators — The Inauguration and Addresses of Runnels and Lubbock — The Message — P^stablishment of the University of Texas — Joint Resolutions — Frontier Protection — Debates and Debaters — Resolutions in Memoriam — Stockdale and Bob Taylor Incident — State Convention of 1858 — Democratic Mourners' Bench and Repentant Sinners 223-235

Chapter Fourteen

The Ranch Again — My Preparations for Raising Asiatic Poultry — The Various Breeds Kept Separate — Some Pleasure, but No Profit to Me in the Business — Government Importation of Camels in 1856-57 — A Private Cargo at Galveston — A Year's Experience with This Lot of Camels on My Ranch — Items of Camel Life — Mrs. Looscan's Recollections of the Camels 236-242

Chapter Fifteen

State Convention at Houston in 1859 — The Platform — Its Expansion Plank — Tabling of African Slave-Trade Resolutions — The Nominees— Congressional Conventions and Candidates — Runnels and Lubbock vs. Houston and Clark — Campaign Inci-

CONTENTS.

dents — Election of United States Senator — Houston Governor — Financial Stress — Frontier Troubles — State Convention at Galveston — Resolutions — The Delegates to Charleston 243-266

Chapter Sixteen

National Democratic Convention at Charleston — Disagreement as to Platform and Withdrawal of Southern Delegates — The Convention Fails to Make Nominations and Adjourns to Reassemble at Baltimore — Withdrawing Delegates Meet and Organize at Richmond — Douglas Faction Reassemble at Baltimore — Irregular Proceedings — Withdrawal of Northern Delegates — Douglas Nominated for President — Adjournment — The Withdrawing Delegates Meet in Convention at Baltimore on the Adjournment of the Douglas Convention and Adopt for a Platform the Majority Report Made at Charleston — Breckenridge Nominated for President by Delegates Representing a Majority of the States — Yancey's Speech — Adjournment 267-294

Chapter Seventeen

Anti-Democratic Politics — Constitutional Union Convention — Bell Nominated — Platform- — Houston Announces as the People's Candidate for President — Lincoln and the Republican Party — The Feeling in Texas Over Lincoln's Election — The Secession Convention — Texas Joins the Confederate States — The Committee on Public Safety — Failure of All Peace Overtures from the South— War Begins 295-313

Chapter Eighteen

Union Element in Texas — Frank Terry, Tom Lubbock, and Tom Goree at the Front — Compliments for Gallantry at Manassas — Military Operations in the State — Shelling at Galveston — Protest of Foreign Consuls to Captain Alden — My Candidacy for Governor — Dallas Convention — Terry Rangers — Trip to Richmond and First Impressions of President Davis — On My Way Home I Saw Tom for the Last Time 314-328

Chapter Nineteen

Lubbock's Administration — Inauguration and Address — Some Appointees — Message Extracts — Personnel of the Ninth Legislature — Historic Buildings — General Hebert and Coast Operations — My "Burning" Letter — My Veto Message — Texan Forces in the Field and Noted Texas Rangers 329-356

CHAPTER TW^ENTY.

The Frontier Regiment — ]\Iilitia Organization — Message on

United States Bonds — The Military Board — Letter to Me from

Secretary Benjamin — Exchange of United States Bonds for

Confederate States Bonds — Opinions of Wigfall, Hemphill,

CONTENTS.

Waul, and Reagan — My Keply to Secietary Benjamin — The Board's Circular Address — Arsenal, Cap and Cartridge Factory at Austin — War Legislation — Colonel Baylor, Conquerer of Arizona — President Davis on Retaliation — The Twin Sisters — Attitude of Texas in the War — Mason and Slidell — Confederate Disasters — Coast Army Ordered to Arkansas 357-370

Chapter Twenty-one

Arrival of Col. Tom Lubbock's Remains at Houston — Funeral Obsequies — Dearth of Arms — General McLeod — Memorial Services at Galveston — General Houston — Col. 0. M. Roberts at Camp Lubbock — Austin Ladies Meet and Adopt Resolutions of Sympathy for Their Sisters in New Orleans — Blockaders Off Aransas and Velasco — Galveston Threatened — Flags of Truce — Martial Law — General Hebert Preparing to Evacuate Galveston — Conference of Governors at Llarshall : Its Work and Results 377-395

Chapter Twenty-two

Letter from General Hebert — General Sibley's Expedition to New Mexico — El Paso — March Up the Rio Grande — Battle of Valverde — Official Reports^Socorro and Albuquerque — Occupation of Santa Fe — Battle of Glorieta — Retreat — Peralto — Terrible March Across the Jornada — Return to San Antonio — Sibley's Final Report — Reiley's Mission to Chihuahua 396-409

Chapter Twenty-three

Bombardment of Corpus Christi — General Bee's Report — Ineffectual Shelling at Port Lavaca — Evacuation of Galveston and Its Occupation by the Yankees — Letter from Me to General Hebert on the Situation — Captain Henry S. Lubbock and the Bayou City — Colonel Burrill, General Banks, and Military Governor A. J. Hamilton — Our New Commander and His Plans — Correspondence — Preparations for Recapture of Galveston. . . .410-431

Chapter Twenty- Four

Battle of Galveston — General Magruder Leads the Land Forces in Person and Commodore Smith Commands the Cotton-Clads — A Glorious Victory — Official Reports from Both Sides — The Blockade Raised — General Magruder Congratulated by General Houston and Others — Naval Attack on Galveston — The Alabama — The Hatteras Sunk — Battle Off Sabine Pass and Confederate Victory — Magruder's Reports and Recommendations — Results of the Month's Campaign 432-462

Chapter Twenty-five

Extra Session of the Legislature — My Message in Part — Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation and the Negro Question — The Texas Quota to the War — The Frontier Regiment — Yankee

CONTENTS.

Prisoners — The Support of Families of Texas Soldiers — Domestic Manufactories — Barbarities of the Enemy in Louisiana and President Davis' Policy of Retaliation — Frontier Defense 463-484

Chapter Twenty-six

Inspection of the Fortifications at Galveston — Call for Ten Thousand More Troops — Want of Arms — Fall of Vicksburg — Proclamations to Encourage the People — President Davis' Letter to Gen. Kirby Smith — Death of General Houston — Gen. Kirby Smith on the Situation — Second Conference of Governors at Marshall — Indian Frontier — Dick Dowling's Fight at Sabine Pass 485-509

Chapter Twenty-seven

Consul TheroUj at Galveston^ and Governor Pickens, of South Carolina — Gen. E. Kirby Smith to IMinister Slidell in Paris on French Intervention — Maj. John Tyler's ]\Iemorial to the Governor of Texas — Governor Murrah — My Last Official Message and Address — The Military Situation — Commissioned as Lieutenant-Colonel in the Confederate States Army 510-527

Chapter Twenty-eight

Banks' Expedition to the Rio Grande — Colonels Haynes and Davis and Governor Hamilton — My Assignment to Duty on Magruder's Staff — Our Need of Arms — Confronting the Enemy on Matagorda Bay — Baptism of Fire — No French Intervention, and Change of Base by the Enemy 528-533

Chapter Twenty-nine

Race of Armies for Red River — Field Transportation — Transferred to Gen. Tom Green's Staff — Travel with Servant and Pack Mule to the Front — On Death of General Green Assigned to Duty on General Wharton's Staff — Mansfield — Pleasant Hill — Yankee Retreat — Monett's Ferry — Alexandria — Mansura — Norwood — Horrible Barbarities of the Enemy — End of Campaign — Return Home with General Wharton — Again at the Front in Louisiana 534-547

CHAPTER THIRTY.

President Davis Appoints Me Aide on His Staff — Affectionate Farewell to My Comrades and Departure for Richmond — Crossing the Mississippi at Night — Arrival at the Confederate Capital — Condition of Affairs There— I Attend the President on His Visit to Hood's Army — Associates at Richmond — Hard Times — The Conference at Fortress Monroe — Terms, Unconditional Surrender — Confederate Government Defiant — Admiral Semmes — The Ominous Pause 548-562

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE.

Evacuation of Richmond — Confederate Government at Danville — Lee's Surrender — President Davis and Staff at Greensboro — Halt at Charlotte — Sherman-Johnston Negotiations — Departure Southward of the Presidential Party and Escort — Last Cabinet Meeting — Last Council of War — Dissolution of the Government at Washington, Ga. — Mrs. Davis — The President and Party Captured — Indignities — My Letter Home Written from Macon — Augusta — Reagan, Stephens, and Wheeler — Fortress Monroe and Fort Delaware 563-577

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO.

Life in Prison — General Schoepff — My Bare Quarters — Hard Fare — No Books but the Bible and Prayer Book — No Letters Allowed to Go Out or Come In — A Ruse — News — Release — Washington City — Interview with Secretary Stanton and President Johnson — Return to Texas via Cairo and New Orleans — Welcome Home — The Situation in Texas 578-594

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE.

Beginning Life Anew — Settlement of Debts — Removal to Galveston — Beef Packery — Heavy Losses — Business Tour to Europe — With Ex-President Davis in Britain and France — Return Home 595-603

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR.

Reconstruction — Restoration of White Supremacy — Tax Collector — Ex-President Davis in Texas— His Welcome at Dallas — A Candidate Again — Troubles in Van Zandt County — Democratic Ticket in 1878 — Elected State Treasurer 604-616

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE.

Removal to Austin — The State Treasury — Roberts, Sayers, and the Public Schools — Dr. Cooper — The University of Texas — Agricultural and Mechanical College — Ireland — Fence-Cutting — Ross — Prohibition — Parsons' Brigade — Elkhorn Reunion — Railroad Commission — Hogg — San Antonio Convention — Wortham Treasurer — My Retirement — Ireland and the Granite Capitol — Davis Memorial Services 617-629

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX.

Family Matters — My Present Wife, Sarah Elizabeth Black Lubbock — Her Carolina Family — Our Visit to South Carolina — Hospitable Reception — A Pleasant Sojourn — Atlanta — Southern Prosperity 630-637

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN.

Penitentiary Board and Board of Pardons — Hogg's Re-election — His Impress on Texas Legislation — Sherman and Burnet Monument — Confederate Reunion and Winnie Davis — Culberson — Chilton — Primary Election — Omaha Excursion — Galveston Convention — Platform on Expansion — Sayers' Administration — Executive Appointments — ^A Year's Work — My Adieu 038-643

Appendix

Texas Poets' Tribute 645-649

Speech on Jeff Davis 650-667

Military Board 667-670

Manufacture of Goods at State Penitentiary in 1801-2-3 071-073

Interesting Historical Document 673-676

THE MEMOIRS

OF

FRANCIS RICHARD LUBBOCK.

CHAPTEE ONE.

Early Life in South Carolina^La Fayette's Visit to Beaufort — Training Under Irish Schoolmasters — Removal to Savannah and Death of My Father — Return to Charleston, and Clerk Life there — Nullification and Compromise, 1832-33 — Clerking and Cotton Buying in Hamburg.

My bark has a long time breasted the restless sea of life, and now that it is approaching the port I feel that my voyage has not been profitless. While I may have accomplished but little for the general good in proportion to my desires, I have been an active worker, endeavoring to serve my country faithfully. I may even venture to say, that according to my means and ability I have contributed liberally to the comfort and well-being of my fellovvmen. I might have done the work more wisely, more as the Judge of all the world would approve, but not more zealously, if I had only put as much thought on the Christian religion as I have recently.

I was born in the town of Beaufort, on the coast of South Carolina, October 16, 1815. My father, Dr. Henry Thomas Willis Lubbock, was the son of Capt. Richard Lubbock. My mother, Susan Ann, was the daughter of Capt. Francis Saltus, all citizens and residents of Beaufort district, South Carolina. Both grandparents were English. My grandfather Saltus was a rich cotton planter. On both sides, maternal and paternal, my family were engaged in marine and mercantile pursuits. Captain Saltus was a shipowner and wharfholder in Charleston, and with his sons carried on an extensive hardware and ship chandlery business in that city. T was quite a favorite of his, and he was so jolly and:good to me that I loved him very dearly. He died in

LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS.

1833, leaving my mother a fine home in Charleston. He came to South Carolina in tlie last decade of the eighteenth century.

Capt. Kichard Lubbock settled in Georgia about the same time. He was an elegant old gentleman, and social in his habits and full of fun and frolic. His death occurred at Hamburg, S. C, I think about 1824. His wife, my grandmother, was Diana Sophie Sandwich, of English descent. She survived my grandfather till the year 1833, bequeathing at her decease a few thousand dollars to my mother's family. The masonic fraternity, of which my grandfather was an honored member, erected to his memory a monument on Shultze's Hill, Hamburg. My mother was a native of South Carolina, but my father was born in Georgia. He finished his literary course at Oxford, England, and then was graduated in medicine at the Medical College of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia. He practiced his profession a short time in Beaufort and vicinity. During this period, in 1811, my parents were married. A daughter was born to them in 1813, and I was the second child, named Francis Eichard, for my two grandfathers. Soon after my birth the family removed to Charleston.

After making Charleston his home my father became interested in steamboating. He commanded the first steamboat, the Commerce, that ever made a through trip from Charleston to Augusta. Henry Shultze (the founder of the town of Hamburg, in South Carolina, immediately opposite Augusta, Ga.), and others were copartners in this enterprise.

At the age of three years I was sent to an infant school adjoining our residence, at the foot of Church street, on South Bay, Charleston. I presume it was to keep me out of mischief, as they said I was very naughty, and my mother, in delicate health, had two other children to claim her attention. Aunt Yates, as I called her, was the teacher who exercised her ingenuity to keep my superabundant energy moving along in the right direction. I remember she would get me to thread needles for her accommodation out of school hours. Our fondness for her kept us around, and lulled the restless demons within us into quietude. Our mothers would get a benefit only occasionally of our exuberant spirits and reckless efforts. I remember a special occasion when my mother must have been terribly shocked by the result

LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS.

of one of jny adventures. We were spending Sunday at my grandfather's city residence, several blocks from ours, at the head of his wharves, knov/n as the Saltus wharves. I had a great fondness for boats, and owned a fine miniature schooner which I often sailed here. My mother, observing that I had lugged my boat with me, forbade me to take her out of the house or go near the wharf, as it was Sunday. Wearying of the confinement, I disobeyed, and taking my little beauty, I repaired to the water side and there began sailing her, the plan being to start my boat from one side of the wharf by getting into a yawl and steering her across the dock to another yawl. Then, resetting the sails, I would turn her back to the point of starting. After making several trips, my boat was about to pass the landing place; to prevent this, I jumped hastily into the yawl, which careened as I leaned forward to seize my boat, and I fell overboard. I was sinking for the third time, when a seaman who had just landed from his vessel, observing me, sprang into the yawl, and seizing me by my leather cap (that fitted very close to my head, and was fastened by a strap under my chin), drew me from the water in an unconscious state. He took me in his arms to my grandfather's house, where I was laid down on the floor. It ,was then discovered whom the stranger had rescued from a watery grave. With much difficulty I was restored to life and consciousness.

It is said that truth is stranger than fiction. The man who saved my life was Capt. William Young, a nephew of my grandfather's. He had just landed one of my grandfather's vessels, which he commanded, and my kinsman had no idea whom he had rescued till he arrived at the house bearing his cousin in his arms, a truant, drowned boy.

For several weeks I was quite sick from the effects of the salt water, and though finally restored to robust health, I was very restless at night, dreaming continually that I was drowning.

Providence seems to have guided me all along the line, giving me this very severe lesson and punishment for disobedience and Sabbath-breaking, one perceptible to a child not yet seven years of age. I have learned since then that a more severe punishment in its results is Sabbath-breaking that gives us pleasure at the time and entirely unattended by outward mishaps for

LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS.

that hardens us in the evil habit with all its serious consequences.

It was next decided to send me off to a boarding school. I suppose, as I was considered man enough to launch my boat in a harbor of the broad Atlantic, it was a very proper decision on the part of my parents, though I was of such a tender age. I was placed under the tuition of an Irish schoolmaster, Patrick Brett, and boarded with his family at Edgefield. He subsequently removed to Beaufort, taking me with him.

I have sometimes said that all I knew in school books was beaten into me by an Irish schoolmaster. Most certainly I made rapid progress in my studies under his tuition; for he was a most excellent instructor, and a man of fine presence, though a severe master. He believed in flogging, and being a man of strong passions, sometimes appeared cruel. His wife, a lovely woman, was very kind and helpful to the children.

Irritated one day by the loss of his favorite whip, which I was instrumental with some other boys in having destroyed, Brett said after finding out the guilty ones that he would flog us all. But later he promised to let me off if I would buy him another whip like the one destroyed. Though I bought the whip, giving $1.25 out of my pocket money, I was flogged unmercifully, like the other older participants in the mischief. This flagrant bad faith on the part of the teacher shocked the moral sense of the whole school and caused considerable indignation.

As soon as my father heard of the affair he came to Beaufort, giving Mr. Brett a piece of his mind while in hot temper; not that anybody ever thought of objecting to flogging — that was good for such boys as they sent off to boarding school; but it must be done fairly and squarely. He took me away from this school and placed me with Mrs. Agnew, a first-class lady of a cultured family, to attend Beaufort College. Eev. Mr. Campbell was principal, with authority to flog me when I needed it.

At this school I began Latin, which was continued through my school days; but not an intelligent word of it would linger in my memory. By my experience, however, as a clerk of the court, a "venire," "habeas corpus," "amicus curiae," and so forth, were made familiar to me at that time. But I suppose it served its purpose, trained my mind a little, and kept me out

LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS.

of mischief while I was at it. I got up a little enthusiasm in my studies at Brett's, there being nothing else to occupy my mind. But at Mrs. Agnew's I sought other sources of activity.

I was not a studious boy, nor was I a cherry-tree George Washington boy either; so becoming disgusted with my books, I determined to go on a pleasure trip. I walked fourteen miles, crossing Port PoA^al ferry. Arriving at my grandfathers plantation, I said to him that hearing he was ill I came out to see him. He patted me on the head, and complimented me for being a brave and good boy. He was, however, much annoyed, because he was just leaving for his summer residence. He was of course entirely Avell, and had not been sick. He started with his good grandson, regretting that I would lose a few days from school, the very thing I visited him for. My behavior was very ugly and unjustiliable, and this time I was checked up. He had proceeded but a short distance when Dr. Fuller in his carriage, going to Beaufort, met us. My dear old grandfather, after explaining my goodness in coming to see him, and his dislike to my losing a day from school, requested him to deliver me at Beaufort^ which was done. Next morning I reported, and received a sound thrashing for absenting myself without leave. They did not spend sentiment, but thrashed a boy in those days — probably too often. But I sometimes think a great deal more thrashing now would be beneficial in some schools.

In 1824, while I was in Beaufort, about nine years of age. General La Fayette visited the United States. He made the voyage from Charleston to Augusta on my father's elegant steamboat, the Henry Sehultze. My father himself commanded her on that trip. He was an aid to the Governor of the State, James Hamilton, subsequently a great friend to Texas. On that occasion General La Fayette presented him with a fine gold snufE box, now in the possession of my niece, Adele Lockart Sayers, of Gonzales. In consequence of the steamer's running aground when near the town, she was detained till after night. A procession was formed to receive our distinguished guest. I was in the line, carrying a sperm candle in each hand. That night, at the ball at ]\frs. Elliott's, I had the honor of being presented to the illustrious general, and complimented by him for my manliness and patriotism.

LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS.

A startling accident occurred that evening amidst our pleasure. Captain Agnew, adjutant of the regiment acting as the escort, was riding very rapidly on his spirited horse, with orders concerning the reception. In turning a corner of one of the streets he collided with a heavy gig driven by a boy, and containing two ladies going to the ball. They also were driving rapidly. One of the shafts with a sharp point entered the lower part of the neck of Agnew's horse, and also made a fearful wound in the thigh of the rider. He and his horse were borne off bleeding. Careful nursing and attention for many months finally restored the captain to perfect health. He lived with his mother, the lady with whom I boarded. The horse, too, after a time was all right. He was from that night called La Fayette. He was a beautiful bright bay with a black mane and tail, and an elegant saddle animal. After that I enjoyed many a good ride upon his back, for I was allowed the privilege of riding the family horses.

Through all these years Beaufort has been one of the pleasures of memory. At the time of La Fayette's visit I fairly effervesced with delightful enthusiasm. It was a holiday for everybody. Our guest was a hero. He came in my father's boat and I took great pride in the Henry Shultze. Steamboats were not common things in those days as they are now. My pleasure was toned down soon by the fact that the very next trip after she took La Fayette to Augusta, via Beaufort, a fire broke out on the steamer while lying at the Augusta wharf. She had a large quantity of powder on board, so that the fire department were warned not to approach too near. The boat was soon blown up, scattering her cargo and portions of the wreck far and wide. The carpenter, Jim Porter, a free colored man, for whom my father was guardian and with whom I was intimately friendly, carried with him on the boat a fine fowl of the best game blood. This cock was a passenger, and soon became quite as famous in our section as La Fayette was illustrious on a wider stage. He was blown high up into the air; the boat went down to her wheelhouse. The bird, on coming down, lighted on one of them, crowed — though nearly featherless — and appeared ready to fight the foe that had so rudely driven from his quarters his eockship. He was cared for as a great hero, and exhibited as the brave

LUBBOCK'S MEMOIRS.

gamecock def3'iDg the powder, to the admiration of hundreds of men and boys. Although 1 never fought them, even when it was fashionable for gentlemen to do so, I always liked game chickens for their great pluck and beauty. It is said that a gamecock is the bravest thing in the world. If a bird ever runs from cold steel he has dunghill in him.