April 16, 1861 (Tuesday) An Icon Confronts A New Reality

Sam Houston, Texan.

WAR DEPARTMENT, C.S.A.,
Montgomery, April 16, 1861.

Col. Earl Van Dorn, Commanding in Texas:

COLONEL: The enclosed copy of a note in pencil, from the “News” office at Galveston, comes from a highly respectable and reliable source.  It indicates, among other things worthy attention, a change in policy on the part of the Government at Washington in respect to the forces of that Government in Texas.  It appears that fifteen hundred of these troops are to be concentrated at or near Indianola, and points to the complicity of General Houston in the business.  The whole subject is referred to your special consideration, in connection with your previous orders to capture the troops of the United States in Texas.

  By authority of the Secretary of War.

      I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,

JOHN TYLER, Jr.

The General Houston referred to was Texas legend Sam Houston, forced out as governor in February over his opposition to secession.  Colonel Van Dorn was killed in May of 1863 at Spring Hill Tennessee by a doctor who testified Van Dorn had "violated the sanctity of his home."