roximately, 460.( 7)

To the credit of the rank and file of the regular army, and of the
seamen in the navy, it is, on high authority, said that:

"It is worthy of note that, while in this government's hour of
trial large numbers of those in the army and navy who have been
favored with the offices have resigned and proved false to the hand
which had pampered them, not one common soldier or common sailor
is known to have deserted his flag."( 8)

David E. Twiggs, a Brevet Major-General, on February 18, 1861,
surrendered, at San Antonio, Texas, all the military posts and
other property in his possession; and this after receiving an order
relieving him from command. He was an old and tried soldier of
the United States Army, and his example was pernicious in a high
degree.

There were few, however, who, like him, took the opportunity to
desert and at the same time to do a dishonorable official act
calculated to injure the government they had served.

March 5, 1861, Twiggs was given a grand reception in New Orleans;
salutes were fired in honor of his recent treachery.( 9) President
Buchanan, to his credit, through Secretary of War Holt, March 1st,
dismissed him from the army.(10)

It is a curious fact that this order of dismissal was signed by _S.
Cooper_, Adjutant-General of the United States Army (_a native_ of
New Jersey), who, _six days later_, resigned his position, hastened
to Montgomery, Alabama, and there accepted a like office in the
Confederate government. Disloyalty among prominent army officers
seemed, for a time, the rule.(11)

It was industriously circulated, not without its effect, that
General Winfield Scott had deserted his country and flag to take
command of the Confederate Army. To his honor it must be said,
however, that he never faltered, and the evidence is overwhelming
that he never entertained a thought of joining his State--Virginia.
He early foresaw that disunion and war were coming, and not only
deprecated them but desired to strengthen the United States Government
and to avert both. Only his great age prevented his efficiently
leading the Union armies.

George H. Thomas, like General Scott, was a native of Virginia.
He was also unjustly charged with having entertained disloyal
notions and to have contemplated joining the South, but later both
Scott and Thomas were bitterly denounced by secessionists for not
going with Virginia into the Rebellion.

Officers connected with the Unite