NICARAGUA SMITH.
The next day after the retaking of Galveston, another sensation
occurred, but of an entirely different character, showing other phases
of human nature, and developing a different class of feelings. The
circumstances were as follows: That day a fleet of transports hove in
sight outside, just from New Orleans, bringing fifteen thousand troops,
to reinforce the small garrison already there--one or two regiments.
These troops belonged to General Banks' Department, and were sent to
Galveston to commence operations on a larger scale than had ever been
attempted before. It was an earnest purpose and part of a general
plan for the subjugation of the "Lone Star" State. They were to make
Galveston the Gulf base of operations, and penetrate inland to Houston,
and thus up the Texas Central Railroad into the interior of the
country, forming a junction with the expedition coming in from the Red
River way, in accordance with plans traced on military maps. This would
create a diversion, and compel the Texas forces to remain at home, and
not be sent to fight Banks' main expedition. The scheme was doubtless
a good one in its conception, and looked like the scheme of Grant and
Sherman to break that portion of the Confederate backbone, lying west
of the Mississippi. More than this, it was a part of the grand whole
devised by them for crushing every part of the monster east and west of
the Father of Waters.
The fleet knew nothing of the retaking of Galveston the day before. So
they sent in a small craft with a few men, to herald their coming. The
forerunner suspected nothing but what all was right till they reached
the landing, where they were taken in charge by Confederate hands. The
pilot proved to be a man who had volunteered in the Confederate army
at the opening of the war, and was placed on sentinel duty at Bolivar
Point, across the bay from Galveston, and one foggy night he stole a
boat and deserted to the fleet outside, some months before. His name
was Smith, but he bore the significant and historic name by which he
was familiarly known on Galveston Island, of "Nicaragua" Smith. He had
been with Walker in his filibustering expedition against Nicaragua.
He was one of the worst desperadoes ever known in all that country,
though so far he had managed to escape the hands of justice. But now,
at last, he was caught as a deserter, and acting as pilot to the enemy,
conducting him to the place and scenes he was so familiar with. The
United States flag was still flying on the Custom House in plain view
of the fleet. The deception at first was perfect, and the Confederate
authorities hoped to play the game out, and capture the whole fleet, so
they sent out true and trusty men in Federal uniform and equippage, to
invite and conduct them in. But something raised suspicion--the want
of proper salutes and signals, also credentials from the Commodore of
the "Harriet Lane" fleet, now captured. The Commodore was blown up in
an attempt to blow up one of the vessels after the surrender, and which
was contrary to the usages of war.
On being questioned at the flag ship, suspicion was confirmed. The
leader in charge was detained as an exchange host for Nicaragua Smith.
The exchange never came. Smith was court-martialed, found guilty of
inexcusable desertion, and sentenced to be shot to death the next
day. When standing in front of the twelve messengers of death, the
lieutenant having charge of the execution of the death sentence,
advanced to him, and asked if he had any last word or message he
desired to leave. He said "Yes," and gave it, but the character of it
forbids its mention here. He died as he had lived, with unmentionable
wickedness on his lips--a sad spectacle of depravity, unwept and
unregretted by all!
The fleet steamed and sailed away, disappointed and defeated in the
object of their coming. Banks was moving up the Red River Valley, with
heavy land forces, supported by gun-boats, and Steele down through
Arkansas, to a junction with him at Shreveport. But Texas, now relieved
by the change of situation at Galveston, could spare their forces and
send them to the front against Banks and Steele. They met them in
detail, before the junction of the two lines, and both were defeated,
and made disastrous retreats. Everything so far under Magruder seemed
to favor the fortunes of Texas arms, and the prestige thereof by this
time had become immense, particularly at home.