When was David E. Twiggs born and where did he grow up?

David Emanuel Twiggs entered the world on the 14th of February 1790 at the Good Hope plantation in Richmond County, Georgia.

What military forts did David E. Twiggs build during his early career?

Major General Edmund P. Gaines ordered Twiggs to establish Fort Crawford along the Alabama Territory border with Spanish West Florida in 1816. He later constructed Fort Winnebago near the Fox and Wisconsin rivers in Wisconsin during 1828.

How old was David E. Twiggs when he resigned from the Confederate States Army?

Twiggs was past the age of 70 when he resigned from his commission as a major general before assuming active duty. He officially retired on the 11th of October 1861 after serving as commander of the Department of Louisiana.

What specific weapons and equipment did David E. Twiggs surrender to Texas forces?

The transfer included 44 cannons, 400 pistols, 1,900 muskets, 500 wagons, and 950 horses valued at $1.3 million. These items were part of 20 military installations including the U.S. Arsenal at the Alamo surrendered on the 16th of February 1861.

Why did Congress award David E. Twiggs a ceremonial sword?

Congress awarded him a ceremonial sword on the 2nd of March 1849 for his service leading the 2nd Division of Regulars through battles from Veracruz to Mexico City. He also received wounds during the assault on Chapultepec while fighting in the Mexican American War.

David E. Twiggs: the story on HearLore

David Emanuel Twiggs entered the world on the 14th of February 1790. He was born on a specific piece of land called the Good Hope plantation. This property sat within Richmond County in Georgia. His father John Twiggs served as a general in the Georgia militia during the American Revolutionary War. The elder Twiggs held enough political influence that his son received the name for Twiggs County. David's mother Ruth Emanuel connected him to another powerful figure. Her brother David Emanuel became Governor of Georgia. These family ties placed young Twiggs at the center of regional politics from birth.

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Major General Edmund P. Gaines issued orders in 1816. Twiggs departed Fort Montgomery with instructions to build a new fortification. He established Fort Crawford along the border between Alabama Territory and Spanish West Florida. Later assignments took him to command Fort Scott. In 1828, he traveled north to Wisconsin. Three companies of the First Infantry accompanied him to the portage between the Fox and Wisconsin rivers. They constructed Fort Winnebago around what is now known as the Fort Winnebago Surgeon's Quarters. This location served as a base of operation during the Black Hawk War. His early career involved moving constantly to secure these remote military positions.

The Mexican, American War began in 1846. Twiggs led a brigade in the Army of Occupation at the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma. Promotion to brigadier general came later that same year. He commanded a division at the Battle of Monterrey. He joined Winfield Scott's expedition and led its 2nd Division of Regulars. The division fought through all battles from Veracruz to Mexico City. During the assault on Chapultepec, Twiggs received wounds. After Mexico City fell, he became military governor of Veracruz. Congress awarded him a ceremonial sword on the 2nd of March 1849. He also became an original member of the Aztec Club of 1847.

Twiggs held command of the U.S. Army's Department of Texas when the Civil War broke out. On the 4th of February 1861, he met with Confederate commissioners Philip N. Luckett and Samuel A. Maverick in San Antonio. He stated that without explicit orders from Washington, he would turn over army property to Texas if secession occurred. An order relieving him arrived on February 15. Surrounded by Confederate forces, he surrendered his entire command the next day. The transfer included 20 military installations including the U.S. Arsenal at the Alamo. It contained 44 cannons, 400 pistols, 1,900 muskets, 500 wagons, and 950 horses. These items were valued at $1.3 million. All 160 U.S. soldiers in San Antonio marched out through the coast.

The U.S. Army dismissed Twiggs on the 1st of March 1861 for treachery to the flag of his country. He accepted a commission as major general from the Confederate States Army on the 22nd of May 1861. Assignment placed him to command the Confederate Department of Louisiana. This department covered Mississippi and Alabama along with the state itself. Twiggs was past the age of 70 and suffered from poor health. He resigned from his commission before assuming any active duty. Mansfield Lovell succeeded him in the command of New Orleans. Twiggs retired on the 11th of October 1861. He remained the oldest Confederate general to serve in the Civil War.

David E. Twiggs.

Building Frontier Outposts

Building Frontier Outposts

Battles And Wounds

The Texas Surrender

Confederate Commission And Resignation

Battles And Wounds

The Texas Surrender

Confederate Commission And Resignation

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Common questions

David E. Twiggs.

1. Building Frontier Outposts

1. Building Frontier Outposts

2. Battles And Wounds

3. The Texas Surrender

4. Confederate Commission And Resignation

2. Battles And Wounds

3. The Texas Surrender

4. Confederate Commission And Resignation

Continue Browsing

Common questions

Building Frontier Outposts

Building Frontier Outposts

Battles And Wounds

The Texas Surrender

Confederate Commission And Resignation

Battles And Wounds

The Texas Surrender

Confederate Commission And Resignation