| From the Houston Telegraph |
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| January 20, 1864 |
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| Houston, Jan. 18, 1864 |
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| Ed. Telegraph, |
| The statement signed by J O.
Wheller of Victoria, require correction. General Magruder was addressed
by Capt. Bradburry and Mr Glass, on the banks of the Bernard river, with
a view of preventing the destruction of the San Antonio & Mexican Gulf
Railroad. He did not "utterly refuse to listen to them," but heard their
statement to the end, and answered with firmness that the road should be
destroyed. He consulted an engineer as to what portions of the engines
could be removed to Columbus, and ordered the same. That the destruction
of the road was a military necessity, was apparent from the proximity of
the enemy's troops; made still more so by their having marched with near
2000 men and taken possession of Lavaca, and finding the road destroyed
they returned. This important fact was omitted in the statement of Mr.
Wheeler. Mr. Wheeler had previously proposed to Major Kearney, and
subsequently it is understood to General Bee, to bring the iron two or
three hundred yards on each side of the road, and to take possession of
and dismantle the rolling stock himself, keeping the passenger and box
cars intact, which proposition was declined by General Magruder when he
heard of it, preferring to work to be done by his own agents. General
Magruder has no cotton at Victoria or any where else, and has taken
proper steps to secure whatever cotton which may be, or may have been at
Victoria. General Magruder is not insensible to the good opinion of the
community, but cannot be induced by praise, or deterred by censure from
a faithful performance of his duties to the best of his abilities. He
feels as deep an interest in the people of the West as of the East. |
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