GALVESTON.
OFF FOR GALVESTON--LANDING--OCCUPATION OF THE CITY--ACTION OF JANUARY
FIRST--LOSS OF THE “HARRIET LANE”--DESERTED BY THE NAVY--SURRENDER.
Companies D, G and I went into camp at Carrollton on the afternoon
of December 18th, 1862. A telegraphic order was received from New
Orleans on the nineteenth, sent by General Banks, which read as
follows: “Colonel Burrell, with his three companies of the Forty-Second
Massachusetts Volunteers, will proceed to Galveston forthwith.”
Supposing execution of this order was urgent, preparations to move
were at once made. At three o’clock in the afternoon camp was struck
and the companies ready to move; but, as the transport _Saxon_, at
New Orleans for repairs, did not arrive, tents were again pitched and
occupied until the twenty-first. Next day, twentieth, written special
orders from General Banks were handed to Colonel Burrell by General
Sherman, commanding the post, and read: “Colonel Burrell, with the
three companies of the Forty-Second Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers,
will proceed to Galveston, land and take post.”
Colonel Burrell decided to execute his orders promptly. On the
twenty-first the _Saxon_ was ready to embark his men. Camp was struck
early in the morning. At eight o’clock men, baggage and equipage were
all on board, and the steamer proceeded down river until eight o’clock
in the evening, having anchored opposite New Orleans for about two
hours, while the colonel, accompanied by Chaplain Sanger, went ashore
for an interview with General Banks at his headquarters, to obtain
definite instructions. The only officer to be found at headquarters was
Colonel S. B. Holabird, chief-quartermaster of the Department, who said
full instructions in writing had been prepared, but he could not find
them; during the conversation carefully looking over documents in the
office. Colonel Holabird suggested to Colonel Burrell not to be in a
hurry in proceeding to Galveston, and having heard the subject talked
over in consultations that had taken place among other staff-officers
and General Banks, advised him, on arrival at Galveston, to consult
with Commodore Renshaw, commander of the fleet, in reference to his
course of action; that instructions would be forwarded very soon, as
the balance of the regiment on arrival from New York would be promptly
sent to him. The intention of General Banks, Holabird stated, was to
send there an additional regiment of infantry, a regiment of cavalry,
and a light artillery battery, as soon as it could possibly be done;
that General Banks’ idea was, for the three companies to remain under
protection of the navy guns until reënforcements arrived. Colonel
Holabird cautioned Colonel Burrell, not to be drawn into any scrapes
by Confederate General Magruder, who had lately assumed command of all
forces in Texas.
After lying alongside the river bank until half-past one o’clock
next morning, the transport proceeded on her way. Passing out of the
Mississippi River by the South West Pass into the Gulf of Mexico at
eleven o’clock in the morning, the course was taken for Galveston.
The troops on board the _Saxon_ consisted of:
Colonel--Isaac S. Burrell.
Adjutant--Charles A. Davis.
Quartermaster--Charles B. Burrell.
Surgeon--Ariel I. Cummings.
Chaplain--George J. Sanger.
Quartermaster-Sergeant--Henry C. Foster.
A young volunteer in the engineer corps named W. S. Long, who reported
on board at New Orleans.
Lieutenant Brown P. Stowell, Company E, who was sick when the regiment
left New York, and embarked on the _Saxon_, instead of remaining with
his company.
Private Samuel R. Hersey, Company C, acting as clerk to the colonel.
Frank Veazie, cook to officers’ mess, not an enlisted man. Two colored
boys, Charles L. Amos of Dedham, Mass., servant of Quartermaster
Burrell, and Charles F. Revaleon of Boylston, Mass., servant of Surgeon
Cummings.
The following officers and men of Company D:
1. Captain George Sherive.
2. First Lieutenant Wm. H. Cowdin.
3. Second Lieutenant Darius F. Eddy.
4. First Sergeant Samuel A. Waterman.
5. Second Sergeant Charles D. Frye.
6. Third Sergeant Charles R. Todd.
7. Fourth Sergeant Wm. E. Humphrey (color bearer).
8. Fifth Sergeant John W. Davis.
9. First Corporal Chas. C. Richards.
10. Second Corporal Benjamin Noyes.
11. Third Corporal Wm. H. Tileston.
12. Fourth Corporal Chas. J. Oldham.
13. Fifth Corporal Benjamin F. Bean.
14. Sixth Corporal Lewis M. Calhoun.
15. Corporal Henry W. McIntosh.
16. Drummer Lewis Eddy.
17. Private Albert S. Allen.
18. “ William H. Brown.
19. “ William H. Bullard.
20. “ William H. Batson.
21. “ Charles Brown.
22. “ Charles W. Bailey.
23. “ John Barnes.
24. “ Edward Boardman.
25. “ William Burke.
26. “ Major Bacon.
27. “ Michael Buckmaster.
28. “ John Burns.
29. “ Charles H. Cushman.
30. “ George T. Clinton.
31. “ Dennis Dailey.
32. “ John Drury.
33. “ Peter Durnam.
34. “ Tobias Enslee.
35. “ George M. Fisk.
36. “ Henry Fisk.
37. “ John Fay.
38. “ Fitzallen Gourley.
39. “ Charles J. Grinnell.
40. “ Amos B. Howard.
41. “ Thomas C. Houghton.
42. “ David Howe.
43. “ Wallace A. Josselyn.
44. “ Edwin F. Josselyn.
45. “ Jacob Kopf.
46. “ William B. Larrabee.
47. “ Fred Lamote.
48. “ Thomas Londergan.
49. “ Frank McConlow.
50. “ Randolph P. Mosely.
51. “ John V. McIlroy.
52. “ James Moore.
53. “ Francis L. Morrill.
54. “ Angus G. Nicholson.
55. “ James O’Shaughnessy.
56. “ Benjamin Pratt.
57. “ George Powers.
58. “ Louis Preami.
59. “ Gustavus Raymond.
60. “ Cornelius Ryan.
61. “ Jerry S. Russell.
62. “ William Rigby.
63. “ Jeremiah Quinn.
64. “ Henry C. Sellea.
65. “ Joseph H. Stowell.
66. “ Sargent L. Stoddard.
67. “ Daniel J. Sullivan.
68. “ Laban Thaxter.
69. “ Josiah Thompson.
70. “ James Thomaston.
71. “ Daniel H. Vining.
72. “ Charles G. Weymouth.
73. “ Daniel L. Weymouth.
74. “ George S. Walls.
75. “ George H. Wight.
76. “ Jonathan G. Wight.
77. “ Albert P. Wright.
78. “ Nathaniel White.
The following officers and men of Company G:
1. Captain Alfred N. Proctor.
2. 2d Lieutenant Thaddeus H. Newcomb.
3. Sergeant Levi W. Goodrich.
4. “ Philip P. Hackett.
5. Corporal John W. Buttrick.
6. “ Seth E. Clapp.
7. “ John C. Bishop.
8. Corporal George W. Griggs.
9. “ Moses Lincoln, Jr.
10. “ Robert G. Thompson.
11. “ George G. Morrison.
12. “ David L. Wentworth, acting as ordnance-sergeant.
13. Drummer Horace W. Chandler.
14. “ David A. Ireson.
15. Wagoner Roland C. Judkins.
16. Private Obed F. Allen.
17. “ Joseph Brownlow.
18. “ Charles A. Bailey.
19. “ John Brown.
20. “ William H. Bickers.
21. “ Charles L. Barrett.
22. “ Charles Barrett.
23. “ Charles Boardman.
24. “ John M. Barnard, Jr.
25. “ William M. Bird.
26. “ Gilbert F. Blaisdell.
27. “ John H. Cary.
28. “ Thomas O. Bryant.
29. “ John Carvey.
30. “ John T. Cook.
31. “ Lemuel S. Copeland.
32. “ Frank Covell.
33. “ Frederick Corson.
34. “ Gilbert Crocker.
35. “ Fred T. Clark.
36. “ William Carter.
37. “ George H. Davis.
38. “ John E. Davis.
39. “ James L. Davis.
40. “ George R. Dary.
41. “ Edmund B. Doubel.
42. “ Daniel Dinnegan.
43. “ James G. Emerson.
44. “ John Eaton.
45. “ John Eastman.
46. “ Richard Ellis.
47. “ Thomas Field.
48. “ Benjamin Gould.
49. “ John W. Gordon.
50. “ George S. Hyde.
51. “ Albert A. Hayden.
52. “ John Harmon.
53. “ Henry T. Horn.
54. “ Albert A. Holt.
55. “ Lucius Higgins.
56. “ Charles Hilger.
57. “ Alonzo D. Ireson.
58. “ Eli P. Johnson.
59. “ Francis Knight.
60. “ George W. Kibbey.
61. “ Arthur Kelley.
62. “ Charles B. Lynde.
63. “ Amos W. Lynde.
64. “ William Logan.
65. “ Samuel Marshall.
66. “ Joseph Mullen.
67. “ James H. McAllister.
68. “ Francis L. Nott.
69. “ Joseph W. D. Parker.
70. “ Charles Paine.
71. “ Daniel D. Penney.
72. “ John F. Parrott.
73. “ Benjamin R. Pierce.
74. “ Diomede Roseline.
75. “ Martin W. Roberts.
76. “ Chas. W. H. Sanborn.
77. “ Albert I. Smart.
78. “ Thomas T. Sweetser.
79. “ Henry O. Studley.
80. “ William Stiles.
81. “ Charles H. Upham.
82. “ Edwin A. Vinton.
83. “ Levi Vincent.
84. “ James W. Vinal.
85. “ James Vance.
86. “ Abiel F. White.
87. “ Henry J. Wethern.
88. “ William B. York.
89. “ Josiah R. York.
And the following officers and men of Company I:
1. Captain Cyrus Savage.
2. First Lieutenant Samuel F. White.
3. Second Lieutenant Benjamin F. Bartlett.
4. First Sergeant Wm. H. Hunt.
5. Second Sergeant John F. Hewins.
6. Third Sergeant Chauncy B. Sawyer.
7. Fourth Sergeant Edward Merrill, Jr.
8. Fifth Sergeant Cornelius G. Kenney.
9. First Corporal Frank M. Adams.
10. Second Corporal Nathaniel H. Bird.
11. Third Corporal Sanford H. Brigham.
12. Fourth Corporal David F. Sloan.
13. Fifth Corporal Daniel H. Walker.
14. Drummer Albert Schneider.
15. Private Moses Averill.
16. “ Edward F. Bryant.
17. “ Jonathan Baker.
18. “ Edward J. Baker.
19. “ Edward K. Baker.
20. “ John K. Clements.
21. “ Samuel Crowell.
22. “ Jefferson W. Cheney.
23. “ Peter Cuddy.
24. “ Thomas P. Contillon.
25. “ James G. Colson.
26. “ David Chapin.
27. “ Timothy Dolan.
28. “ Thomas Dellanty.
29. “ Charles H. Dodge.
30. “ Wm. C. Elder.
31. “ Horace W. Eaton.
32. “ John Elliott.
33. “ George K. Farnum.
34. “ Willard S. Farrington.
35. “ Henry E. Farrington.
36. “ James F. Floyd.
37. “ George T. Fernald.
38. “ Edward S. Gray.
39. “ Thomas V. Gleason.
40. “ Charles Gleason.
41. “ William F. Gardner.
42. “ George Glover, Jr.
43. “ Charles E. Hewins.
44. “ John A. Hodgkins.
45. “ Frederick Huggins.
46. “ Elijah Hunt.
47. “ Lewis A. Hunt.
48. “ Alexander Hobbs.
49. “ Thomas F. Igo.
50. “ Ambrose A. Knight.
51. “ Charles Littlefield.
52. “ William B. Lambert.
53. “ Frank B. Laury.
54. “ David W. Lannergan.
55. “ James Mulry.
56. “ Thomas Morris.
57. “ William Morgan.
58. “ Dennis Mahoney.
59. “ Nathaniel McCreary.
60. “ Lawrence Mannix.
61. “ James McGee.
62. “ Jos. W. McLaughlin.
63. “ Thomas A. Noyes.
64. “ Solomon Nordlinger.
65. “ Albert H. Plummer.
66. “ Porter Plummer.
67. “ George L. Pitman.
68. “ George B. Proctor, Jr.
69. “ John B. Pratt.
70. “ Charles H. Poole.
71. “ Joseph T. Paget.
72. “ Evelyn Ransom.
73. “ Asa Robbins.
74. “ Geo. W. Richardson.
75. “ Edwin Smith.
76. “ Joseph Scaff.
77. “ Charles J. Sumner, Jr.
78. “ George W. Sloan.
79. “ James E. Stanley.
80. “ William Spargo.
81. “ John Taylor.
82. “ Jacob H. Taylor.
83. “ Joseph A. Teeling.
84. “ Wm. H. H. Weeman.
85. “ George W. Wescott.
86. “ Ozias Willis.
87. “ Joel F. Williams.
88. “ Sanford Woods.
The total force amounting to 15 officers, 249 enlisted men, 1 white
citizen, and 2 colored boys.
The instructions Colonel Holabird could not find were handed to
Lieutenant-Colonel Stedman as the steamer _Che-Kiang_ was about to
leave New Orleans for Galveston. They never reached Colonel Burrell.
They were as follows:--
“HEADQUARTERS DEPT. OF THE GULF,
“NEW ORLEANS, LA., January 3d, 1863.
“LIEUT.-COL. STEDMAN, 42d Reg’t Mass. Vols.:
“_Colonel_,--I am directed by the Commanding General to enclose you
instructions, which he requests you to hand Colonel Isaac S. Burrell.
“Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
“W. L. G. GREEN,
“_Aid-de-Camp_.”
“HEADQUARTERS DEPT. OF THE GULF,
“NEW ORLEANS, LA., January 3d, 1863.
“COLONEL:
“Your regiment having been ordered to Galveston, you are hereby placed
in command of that post. You will execute such orders as you may
receive from these headquarters. My instructions from the Department
of War forbid me at present to make any extended military movements in
Texas. The situation of the people of Galveston makes it expedient to
send a small force there for the purpose of their protection, and also
to afford such facilities as may be possible for recruiting soldiers
for the military service of the United States. Every assistance in your
power will be afforded for the complete attainment of these objects.
“General Hamilton is appointed Military Governor of the State of Texas,
and will be recognized by you in that capacity, but your orders you
will receive from these headquarters.
“Until the port of Galveston is regularly opened by the Government of
the United States, no trade can be carried on, and no attempt for that
purpose will be recognized, or countenanced by you.
“I rely fully upon your energy, vigilance and capacity, for the
performance of the important duties intrusted to you. Do not fail to
make frequent reports of all that transpires within your command, and
of whatever important facts you may learn from the enemy in Texas, or
from its people.
“It is not probable that any successful movement can be made upon the
main-land until our force shall be considerably strengthened; and
you will take care not to involve yourself in such difficulty as to
endanger the safety of your command.
“Other instructions will be sent to you from time to time, as occasion
may require and opportunity offer.
“N. P. BANKS,
“_Major-General commanding_.
“COLONEL ISAAC S. BURRELL,
“42d Regiment Mass. Vols.”
“HEADQUARTERS DEPT. OF THE GULF,
“NEW ORLEANS, LA., January 3d, 1863.
“COLONEL:
“You will immediately cause to be constructed a _tete-du-pont_, to
command the bridge which connects Galveston Island with the main-land.
“I directed an engineer officer to go there some time since, and I
suppose he is there. If so, he will give suitable directions for the
work.
“Very respectfully yours,
“N. P. BANKS,
“_Major-General commanding_.
“COLONEL ISAAC S. BURRELL,
“commanding U. S. Forces at Galveston.”
The trip to Galveston was devoid of interest. The weather was fine
and the sea moderately smooth. Few were sea-sick. At half past eleven
on the morning of the twenty-fourth land was sighted; at noon, the
gunboat _Tennessee_ fired a shot across the bow of the _Saxon_, and
she hove to, off Galveston Bar, for about two hours, when a pilot was
taken. The navy had been expecting troops to arrive for some days.
Commander Law, of the _Clifton_, when he ascertained what troops were
on board the _Saxon_ and their purpose, sent a boat to bring the
colonel over the bar, and on board his vessel, which then proceeded
up the channel a short distance. As the _Saxon_ would not be able to
get over the bar at once, an offer from Law, to take Burrell in his gig
to see Commander Renshaw, was accepted. Upon reaching the flag-ship
_Westfield_, Renshaw, who was entertaining Confederate officers in the
cabin under a flag of truce, met the colonel at the gangway, extending
a hearty welcome. He suggested the postponement of a conference at that
time, not wishing the Confederate officers to see Colonel Burrell, and
would meet him on board the _Clifton_ with all commanding officers of
gunboats then in the harbor, viz.:--
_Westfield_--A ferry-boat; eight guns; Commander W. B. Renshaw.
_Clifton_--A Staten Island ferry-boat; seven guns; Lieutenant-Commander
R. L. Law.
_Harriet Lane_--Formerly a United States revenue cutter; eight guns;
Commander J. M. Wainwright.
_Owasco_--Screw propeller; regular war vessel; six guns;
Lieutenant-Commander H. Wilson.
Commander Renshaw, as agreed, met Colonel Burrell on board the
_Clifton_. The situation was explained and discussed. Renshaw strongly
urged landing the troops in the city, and was supported in this advice
by all of his officers. Burrell suggested landing on Pelican Spit, an
island near the harbor entrance, with plenty of space, and buildings
that could be occupied until more troops arrived. Great stress was
placed on the difficulty of obtaining water upon the spit, while
abundance was to be had in the city. Renshaw scouted the idea of danger
to so small a force in the city. A decision was finally made to land
on Kuhn’s Wharf, occupy for barracks the wooden storehouse upon it,
and fully understood by all officers present, that the troops would
be under protection of the navy guns. They were to be protected or
removed. In case an attack was threatened, the _Owasco_ was to take
position on the right, the _Clifton_ on the left of Kuhn’s Wharf, and
these vessels were accustomed to occupy those positions every night.
Assurance was also given that the troops could be taken from the wharf
in five minutes time if it became necessary to do so.
Galveston City in 1861 was a port of entry and capital of Galveston
County. It is situated near the east end of Galveston Island, with the
best and least difficult harbor on the whole Texas coast. It was the
commercial emporium of Texas, with the bulk of its commerce coastwise
with New Orleans and New York. The former port connected with it by
regular steamship lines. The city contained the court-house, a jail,
and other county buildings, several churches, numerous warehouses,
wholesale and retail stores, and hotels; and published several
newspapers. The island in which the city stands, is about thirty-six
miles long, with an average width of two miles. The soil is good, being
a black mould, about a foot deep, resting on sand and shells, and it
has several ponds of good water. Separated from the main-land by West
Bay, it was connected by a wooden railroad bridge, two miles in length,
used by the Galveston and Houston Railroad. No portion of the surface
is more than twenty feet above the level of the Gulf of Mexico, and
with the exception of several groves of live oak, the whole is open
prairie. Before the war the land was said to have been in a state of
excellent cultivation, and the city the residence of many wealthy
farmers. Very few slaves were held on the island, and the population
was about seven thousand.
Federal naval forces had virtually been in possession of Galveston
since October 8th, 1862, in full control of the harbor, but lacking
adequate force to land and occupy permanently the city. Besides the
four gunboats in the harbor when the detachment first arrived, the
gunboat _Sachem_, an altered merchant screw propeller steamer, five
guns, Acting Master Amos Johnson, came in December 29th with her
boilers out of repair, and, securing the services of two boiler makers
from the city, anchored in the channel on the city front to have them
patched up. The small Government schooner _Corypheus_, Acting Master A.
T. Spear, with one gun, and manned by fifteen men, also came into port
with the _Sachem_.
The sailing barks _Arthur_, _Cavallo_, and _Elias Pike_, loaded with
coal for the fleet; the transport steamer _Mary Boardman_, loaded with
hay and horses; and the transport steamer _Saxon_, was all the shipping
that was in Galveston Harbor, January 1st, 1863.
At two o’clock the _Saxon_ passed over the bar, her keel striking
bottom a few times, and at half-past four came to anchor in the harbor
channel.
The troops made a landing December 25th, at ten o’clock in the
morning. The two-story storehouse was occupied on the upper floor for
sleeping, the lower floor to store quartermaster and commissary stores,
ammunition, and intrenching tools, which were removed from the _Saxon_
that day and next. A partitioned room on the lower floor was fitted up
by Surgeon Cummings for a hospital. The commissary supplies consisted
of coffee, hard bread, beans, salt pork, and molasses, sufficient to
last about thirty days for three hundred men. The intrenching tools
were spades, picks and axes, for five hundred men. Three months medical
supplies and about twenty-five thousand rounds fixed ammunition for
infantry was also landed.
Kuhn’s Wharf was the largest on the harbor front, the storehouse end
large and roomy, connected with the land by a bridge-like wharf some
four hundred feet long, about twenty feet wide, built on piling. The
water was quite shallow at any tide almost to the end. Tides in
Galveston harbor and bay ebb and flow very little; the depth of water
is greatly influenced by heavy northerly winds, which blow the water
over the bar out to sea. Heavy draft vessels at such times must keep to
the narrow channel.
A flag-pole was found which belonged on the storehouse, and being
placed in position upon the cupola, the old garrison flag, used by the
regiment at Readville, was run up about eleven o’clock and greeted
with cheers. Sentries were at once posted in the city as far as Market
Square, one of the principal places with all of the main streets
leading into it. They were also posted on the streets to the right and
left, communicating directly with the wharf. At night these posts were
reënforced in such a manner as to constitute picket-posts.
Immediately upon landing and taking post, Colonel Burrell adopted such
measures to secure all the protection possible that in his judgment the
situation demanded. From this time until the morning of January 1st it
was _work, work, work_. Fatigue and working parties were constantly
employed. Guards and pickets were on duty day and night. Reconnoitring
detachments were on duty by day and squads scouting at night. The
Forty-Second Infantry, posted upon Kuhn’s Wharf, were very active
during their short stay, occupying the city so far as the small force
and prudence would allow, and exercising proper surveillance. The men
were barely allowed sufficient time to obtain needed sleep.
Among the first things done was to barricade the interior of the
storehouse facing the city, by placing against that side, on each
floor, barrels of whiting, plaster and hair, found on the premises. For
a temporary shelter to men on picket at night, if forced to seek it,
it was decided to build a breastwork upon the wharf by tearing up and
utilizing the planks. Volunteer Engineer Long saw no use or necessity
for this, not exercising any supervision over the work until operations
had commenced and he saw that the colonel was determined about it.
Commencing at a point some fifty feet from the shore end, the hard pine
planks were removed to make a gap in the wharf for the space of about
another fifty feet, and the first breastwork was erected on the edge
of this gap the day of landing. Fortunately Quartermaster Burrell, in
looking around the city in the morning, had found a keg of large-sized
spikes and ordered them taken to the wharf where they might be found
useful. They were very useful in building this work.
An examination of the ammunition, ordered in a few days after landing
when it was evident the enemy meant mischief, was not a welcome
surprise. Company G was armed with Springfield rifles, and Companies
D and I had Springfield smooth-bore muskets. The bulk of ammunition
landed was found to be for rifles, with only a small supply of ball
and buckshot cartridges for smooth-bores. There was also found to be a
scarcity of caps. This is accounted for by the confused manner in which
the regiment was embarked at Brooklyn on the different transports--a
proper apportionment of the ammunition was not possible under the
circumstances. Sending Adjutant Davis to the fleet for any surplus caps
they had to spare added very little to the supply, as they were short
also. It was found that cartridges and caps sufficient to give each
man eighteen rounds in his cartridge box was all the ammunition that
could be made serviceable when a distribution was made to the men on
the thirty-first. This was kept a secret from the command. The men were
cautioned to husband their ammunition until it could be used to effect
at close quarters, in case of an action. No man was to fire his musket
unless so ordered by an officer.
Commander Wainwright, with a few sailors armed with cutlasses and
pistols, visited the wharf on the twenty-sixth. After a conference
with Colonel Burrell, a _reconnoissance_ through Galveston and its
suburbs was determined upon. Captain Sherive, with about one hundred
men, including the sailors, accompanied by the colonel, adjutant,
quartermaster and chaplain, with Wainwright, started about nine o’clock
in the morning to reconnoitre, proceeding as far as the brick kilns,
some two miles outside of the city. It was not deemed advisable to
go further in the direction of Eagle Grove, about three miles, but
a circuit of the outskirts was made and the city looked over. The
inhabitants had fled. It was almost entirely deserted. Unlike many
other cities and towns occupied by Federal troops, very few colored
people were to be seen. A lookout was established in a four-story brick
building on the Strand near Market Square and within the guard lines,
where all that was going on at Eagle Grove on the island, and Virginia
Point on the main-land, was distinctly visible in the daytime by the
aid of a field-glass. This lookout was constantly maintained.
In the afternoon Colonel Burrell, accompanied by Volunteer Engineer
Long, proceeded in the _Harriet Lane_ towards West Bay as far as the
channel would allow. A good view of Eagle Grove and Virginia Point was
obtained. The earthwork, mounting three guns, thrown up at Eagle Grove
by Confederates, to protect the railroad bridge, was abandoned. The end
of the bridge at Virginia Point was protected by extensive works with
heavy guns in position, and here the enemy appeared to be in force.
Their camps could be plainly seen.
It was while on this trip in the _Harriet Lane_ that Colonel Burrell
made up his mind to destroy the railroad bridge. None of the naval
vessels could get near enough to do any permanent damage, on account
of the narrow, tortuous and shallow channel. The distance from the
fleet anchorage by way of the channel was about four and one-half
miles. Heavy naval guns, fired from a point of anchorage where it would
have been safe to try it, would not have reached the bridge with any
accuracy, the gun-carriages not admitting a sufficient elevation of the
guns to carry shot or shell that distance, while such heavy charges
of powder would be required for the distance that the concussion upon
the gun-decks of such vessels as were then at Galveston would have
caused serious damage to the vessels, had everything been favorable
in other particulars for attempting the destruction of the bridge in
this manner. The bridge could not be effectually severed by the navy
except by sending up armed launches prepared for such duty. These the
gunboats did not have; all of their row-boats were small, not capable
of carrying light guns, even if they had them. This would have been
hazardous service, as the enemy were vigilant and brave. That the
navy could have sent up boat crews and destroyed it when the vessels
first entered the harbor in October, was admitted by a number of naval
officers, because the enemy had precipitately taken flight, abandoning
everything. The Confederate military commander at that time was a
weak-kneed sort of man. In a very short time the Confederate troops
rallied, removed all of their guns on the island, and built the works
at Eagle Grove rendering the attempt hazardous. Destroying the bridge
would not have prevented all communication between the island and the
main-land, only rendered it difficult, as the enemy had plenty of boats
hid in the creeks and bayous adjacent that could be used for ferry
purposes. But no attempt of any sort had been made by the navy since
first entering Galveston Bay to damage or sever this bridge.
Collecting barrels of tar pitch, with other combustible material, and
confiscating a dray (all horses had been run out of town), the colonel
ordered them stored ready for use, intending to move up immediately
on the landing of the balance of his regiment, occupy the works at
Eagle Grove, destroy the bridge as far as possible, mount some heavy
guns, and shell the enemy from his works on the main-land. Those naval
officers who talked the matter over with officers of the Forty-Second
agreed that it ought to be done. Commander Wainwright was especially in
favor of severing this means of communication. Had the seven companies
of the regiment arrived on or before the twenty-eighth of December, it
was thought not much difficulty would have been experienced. The enemy
soon ascertained the small strength of the detachment landed, and on
the twenty-ninth reoccupied the earthworks at Eagle Grove, and mounted
heavy cannon to protect the bridge and approaches. Colonel Burrell
then requested Commander Renshaw to go up the bay as far as possible
with two of his lightest draft vessels, and shell the enemy from the
island, which he refused to do. After the twenty-eighth December, the
destruction of this bridge could not have been accomplished without an
action with the enemy in force at Eagle Grove, but an attempt would
have been made had not the event of January 1st occurred.
During the afternoon of the twenty-sixth, while Captain Sherive with a
small force of men was out on a foraging expedition, to see what could
be found for cooking-stoves, eight Confederate cavalry-men appeared
under a flag of truce, with a request to see the British consul. No
flag-of-truce trick could be played on Captain Sherive. He promptly
halted the party, and notified his commanding officer. One man, under
guard, was allowed to see the consul, and the Confederate captain in
charge was ordered to leave by six o’clock, as after that hour they
would be fired upon. For weeks had the enemy enjoyed the hospitality of
Commander Renshaw under these convenient flags of truce, used freely
for the most trivial reasons; but the military commander stopped all
such nonsense at once. This truce flag was the only one recognized
until the day of surrender.
Supplies of food were not plenty in the city. The Confederates would
not allow any to be brought from the main-land, consequently, what
few inhabitants remained in Galveston, mostly women, found it hard
work to subsist. In a small way, rations were given to them by Colonel
Burrell. Not much could be done in this direction, owing to the small
supply on hand for the troops, who must be fed and kept in fighting
condition. There were quite a number of German women with gold and
silver coin, who wished to purchase provisions from the quartermaster.
Their husbands were serving in the Confederate army, and much valuable
information was obtained from them.
Confederate cavalry commenced to infest the city and suburbs at
night, about three days after a landing was made; but did not attempt
to molest the pickets. These cavalry-men came along the beach,
concealed by a range of sand hills on the Gulf shore; on reaching
the outskirts they would separate to go through the city in squads
of two and three. Before daylight these squads would rendezvous at a
place called Schmidt’s Garden, and return to Eagle Grove by the same
route they came. They easily obtained, during these nocturnal trips,
all information they required, for the men talked freely with such of
the inhabitants as wished to converse. While there were a handful of
Union men, or refugees as they were termed by the enemy, who sought
protection under the Federal flag, the bulk of the small population,
men, women and children, were secessionists to the core.
Lieutenant Eddy and Private Hersey must have had this fact very
forcibly impressed upon their minds when they were _entertained_ by
some Galveston ladies at a house on the Strand, some two miles from
quarters, on the afternoon of Sunday, December 28th. The ladies sang
all of the latest Confederate songs, Eddy and Hersey in return singing
the latest from the North. The conversation was bitter disunion on the
female side, and well calculated to draw out information on military
affairs. On bidding them good afternoon as they left, several young men
were seen loitering in the vicinity, who had undoubtedly been listeners
to the conversation.
While the enemy easily obtained information of the Federal strength,
position and purposes, the men of the Forty-Second as easily secured
definite information of the Confederate strength and intentions. At
this game of cards honors were easy.
On the night of the twenty-seventh a report was brought in that a force
of Confederate cavalry was in the city. Captain Sherive with fifty men
and Captain Savage with fifty men received separate orders to drive
them out. Taking different directions, a thorough scout failed to
discover any traces of this cavalry until Captain Sherive arrived at
the beach road leading to Fort Point, when fresh horse-shoe prints in
the sand were discovered, showing that a force of mounted men had gone
in the direction of Fort Point, where there was an abandoned earthwork
thrown up to command the harbor entrance. Captain Savage came up soon
after, joined forces with Sherive, and was directed to place his men on
the sand ridge of the beach, lying down, while Sherive with his men
covered the beach, and all awaited developments. About midnight Captain
Savage became impatient, if not a little timid, as signal rockets were
seen sent up in the city, and he declined to remain longer, proceeding
back to the wharf. This forced Captain Sherive to retire also, as he
doubted his ability to meet the supposed force of the enemy with the
men left. It was afterwards ascertained that the party was General
Magruder, reconnoitring the entrance to the bay with some eighty of
his officers and men, who would certainly have been captured, killed,
or wounded, if the detachments had remained where Captain Sherive
had them posted. There was no escape, except by breaking through the
detachments, and the enemy could not successfully do that while Captain
Sherive was around. Captain Savage destroyed the telegraph lines
connecting Galveston with the main-land, that had remained intact up to
this time, as part of the night’s operations.
There was a lull in the preparations and rounds of duty on Sunday,
the twenty-eighth, giving the men that rest they sorely needed. Only
two civilians were molested by the troops during their short stay in
Galveston. A German was arrested on this day for uttering seditious
language. He was confined at guard quarters in the wharf storehouse,
remaining there during the action of January 1st, almost forgotten, but
miraculously escaped without a wound. The other was a citizen caught
hanging around the head of the wharf in a suspicious manner, and was
arrested for a spy, retained in confinement some six hours, and then
released. This arrest occurred on the ----th.
Sunday afternoon Colonel Burrell, in a row-boat, proceeded to Fort
Point to inspect a 100 Pr. gun, dismounted in the fort, with the
intention of removing it to the earthwork at Eagle Grove when his
force was increased. The gun was found to be sound, not spiked, and
ready for immediate service, when mounted on a gun-carriage. The story
of the dismounting of this heavy gun, as told by naval officers and
sailors, is said to be true.
[Illustration: KUHN’S WHARF, GALVESTON, TEXAS.]
It seems that when the fleet was sailing towards Galveston Bar the
orders were not to fire, even if fired upon, until the signal was
displayed from the flag-ship. A gunner on the _Clifton_, standing by
his gun, with lanyard in hand, accidentally slipped when the vessel
lurched, causing him to pull the lanyard with a sudden jerk and fire
the gun. Without being trained on the fort, the solid shot took effect
on the gun-carriage of this 100 Pr., near the stanchions, shattering
the carriage, heaving the gun up in the air, tumbling it over backward
in the sand. The garrison became panic struck at the effect of this
chance shot and fled. The fleet then entered the harbor without another
gun being fired.
The situation looked serious, and with a doubt in his mind about
the loyalty of the naval commander, and no news from his expected
reënforcements, Colonel Burrell decided on the twenty-ninth to send
Quartermaster Burrell to New Orleans on the _Saxon_, with despatches
for General Banks. The commissary supplies had dwindled down to
fifteen days rations for three hundred men, and the ammunition was
not available. Engineer Long decided to go also, not being under the
orders of Colonel Burrell, and took passage on the _Saxon_. Much to
the transport captain’s relief, for he had been in a highly nervous
state while lying at the wharf, the _Saxon_ left, proceeding as far
as Pelican Spit, where she had to remain until January 1st. A strong
northerly wind, that continued on the thirtieth and thirty-first, had
blown the water from Galveston Bar so that only three feet of water
covered it, rendering proceeding to sea impossible.
LETTER CARRIED TO GENERAL BANKS, BY QUARTERMASTER BURRELL.
“HEADQUARTERS,
“GALVESTON, TEXAS, December 29th, 1862.
“_Sir_: In obedience to orders, upon arriving at this place on the
evening of the twenty-fourth instant, after consulting with the
commander of the blockading fleet, I landed the three companies of my
command, which were with me upon the transport _Saxon_, on the end of
Kuhn’s Wharf, and quartered them in the warehouse there. I have taken
possession of the city as boldly as I could with the small force at
my command, and have thoroughly reconnoitred the built-upon portions
of the city up to within range of their battery at Eagle Grove, which
is apparently well built, mounting three guns. They have also one gun
at the draw, which is about midway of the bridge. Upon Virginia Point
they have a strong battery, mounted with heavy guns. From the best
information obtainable, I judge their force in this immediate vicinity
to be about two thousand strong.
“During the day we control the city, but at night, owing to our small
force (as the balance of my regiment has not yet arrived), I am obliged
to draw in the pickets to the wharf on which we are quartered. I think
there are still living upon the island about three thousand persons,
a large proportion of whom are women and children. A great many of
these people are almost entirely destitute of the means of subsistence,
as the enemy will not allow anything to be brought over from the
main-land, thinking, doubtless, to make them disloyal by starvation.
The naval officer in command has contributed all he could spare from
his stores, and my men have shared their bread rations with them.
I believe the larger part of the residents now here to be loyal and
really desire to remain in the city, and that common humanity calls
upon us to render them assistance. This, in my judgment, can best be
done by placing the city under martial law as soon as my force is large
enough, and forcing the rich, who are mainly the secessionists, to feed
the poor. I would most respectfully urge upon your consideration the
necessity of sending provisions for immediate relief. These can be sold
to them at Government prices, thus conferring a real charity, without
subjecting them to the mortification of being beggars. Under the
existing circumstances I have thought it best to send one of my staff,
Quartermaster Burrell, and Mr. Long, the engineer, who accompanied
us here, to report to you in person. These gentlemen will explain in
detail the state of affairs, and the importance of the knowledge which
they can convey to you has, in my judgment, authorized me in ordering
the _Saxon_ back to New Orleans, which I humbly trust will meet your
approbation.
“I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,
“ISAAC S. BURRELL,
“_Colonel commanding 42d regiment Mass. Vols._”
The small schooner _Corypheus_ had lying useless upon her deck two
captured 12 Pr. Howitzer field-guns, with over three hundred rounds
of ammunition for them. Adjutant Davis was sent on the night of the
twenty-ninth to Commander Renshaw, with a request for the guns to
be landed upon the wharf. Colonel Burrell intended to place them in
position in the storehouse, opening port-holes on the land side.
Company D (the old Roxbury Artillery) had many Roxbury men who knew how
to handle such guns, besides having in the ranks a dozen man-of-wars
men, who had enlisted in Boston shortly after their discharge from a
war-vessel, that had arrived from a long cruise. The idea was ridiculed
by Renshaw, who flatly refused the request.
General Magruder, when he assumed command in December of the
Confederate forces in Texas, immediately set about perfecting plans to
recover possession of Galveston, and to capture or cripple the fleet.
These plans were so far matured that he intended to attack on the
twenty-seventh, but was obliged to postpone it until the morning of
January 1st from delay in fitting out his river steamers.
The naval commander heard of these steamers being got in readiness
to attack him, but did not think he would have much difficulty in
blowing them to pieces with his guns; in fact, affected to look upon
such preparations of the enemy as futile. As for the information of
Magruder’s plan of action on land, obtained by the military force, none
of the naval officers, with the exception of Wainwright, placed much
reliance upon it until the thirty-first, as they had heard every day
since they had been there reports of an attack to be made.
Definite news was obtained on the thirtieth that the enemy would
make an attack that day or next. Commander Renshaw had not at any
time since the troops landed been very communicative, or evince any
desire to consult over the situation, although an occasional visitor
to the military headquarters. Determined to protect the men as far as
possible, a second breastwork, close to the storehouse, was commenced
in the afternoon and finished by midnight, tearing up the wharf in
front and opening another gap for fifty feet.
The two breastworks were strong enough to resist infantry-fire, but not
artillery. Composed of two and two and one-half inch planking laid one
upon the other, two planks deep, so that the faces were composed of the
edges only, they were some thirty inches in thickness, built shoulder
high. On this last work the entrance port was protected by a cotton
bale. Not satisfied with this, a raft lying at the wharf, such as is
used by caulkers in working on vessels’ seams near the water line, was
raised from the water by hard labor, and securely placed in position
on the right of the second breastwork, to protect as far as it would a
fire from the next wharf on that flank, one-eighth of a mile distant.
The storehouse protected the left flank from infantry-fire from the
wharf on that side, also about one-eighth of a mile distant.
That night a false alarm, about ten o’clock, brought the entire force
to arms behind the breastworks, and gunboats took positions near the
wharf as agreed--one on the left and one on the right.
While the city was apparently deserted for some days after landing, on
the thirtieth and thirty-first of December it was noticed that many
men in citizen’s attire had returned and were strolling around. It was
believed then, by the officers of the Forty-Second, that these men were
in the Confederate service. No attempt was made to interfere with them
so long as they remained civil, committing no overt wrong. With the
small force on hand, no decisive measures concerning the inhabitants
could be adopted, or any attempt made to govern the city.
During the day of the thirty-first, in company with Commander
Wainwright, Colonel Burrell with a guard patroled some of the streets,
and noticed many of these strange faces, who seemed to shun them. From
the lookout station the enemy were seen assembling on the plain near
Eagle Grove, horse, foot and artillery. Wainwright remarked: “Active
operations going on, colonel; things look squally, and we had better
not remain here. I will go up to-morrow and feel of them.” He intended
to go up in his vessel as far as the channel would permit, and endeavor
to shell them from the island.
Between these two officers a friendship for each other existed from
their first meeting. They were frequently together, strollers around
the city and suburbs, consulting the STATUS of affairs. Many
of the other naval officers were frequent visitors, very courteous and
obliging, but none appeared to take the same interest in matters that
Wainwright did. The Forty-Second officers thought he was the only live
man in the fleet.
In none of their perambulations and confidential talks did Wainwright
breathe a word against his superior officer, although the colonel,
after a few days on shore, could not remain quiet with the conviction
forced upon his mind that Renshaw was not acting in such a manner as
to warrant confidence, and bluntly told Wainwright only a day or two
before the final events took place he thought Renshaw was a traitor.
To this plain and straightforward expression of opinion the naval
captain made no reply. Not so with the sailors; they, coming in contact
with the enlisted men, frequently expressed their suspicion of the
“commodore.”
On the morning of the thirty-first of December the _Owasco_ went
down to the coal bark _Arthur_, lying in the channel near the harbor
entrance, about a mile and one-half from the wharf, for a supply of
coal. Contrary to her usual custom she did not return to her position
near the wharf when night came. The _Westfield_ lay near Pelican Spit,
on guard at the harbor entrance, and covering the Bolivar channel
of the bay. She had lately received a new heavy gun, brought by the
_Tennessee_ to replace one disabled while on the coast some time
previous. Up to midnight the balance of the fleet were distributed
along the water front of Galveston, in the channel, which averaged
at any point only a little less than two hundred and twenty yards
in width. The _Clifton_ was at the right of Kuhn’s Wharf, about one
hundred yards distant; then came the _Sachem_, still at work on repairs
to her boilers; then the small schooner _Corypheus_; and up the
channel, a mile away, nearly opposite the depot wharf, was stationed
the _Harriet Lane_.
At night a conference was held by officers of the Forty-Second.
Positions were assigned for the companies in case of attack. Companies
D and I remained upon the wharf, in the building, to snatch what sleep
they could, while Company G, Captain Proctor in command, was on picket
during the night. The three companies had been held in readiness every
night since landing. Those not on duty slept on their arms. On the
thirtieth and thirty-first only one company at a time was allowed to
sleep. The men were informed of what was expected, their courage and
manhood appealed to, with every point emphasized, that would naturally
tend to inspire them with confidence. Not a word was uttered that could
possibly convey any idea foreign to the fact, that fight was a duty
they were to perform.
Burrell did not like the outlook, nor his position upon the wharf.
Commodore Renshaw had failed to inspire him with any confidence in
his integrity. Seated in his quarters that evening to muse over his
situation, without allowing his officers or men to know his thoughts
for fear of disheartening them, the colonel fully determined to order
the _Saxon_ up to the wharf next morning, embark his men, and remain on
board in the harbor until reënforcements arrived.
About midnight Colonel Burrell, Captain Sherive, and Chaplain Sanger,
visited the picket sentinel posts in the city, finding the men were
drawn in from their original positions, and did not occupy the usual
ground. The original posts were reëstablished. Rumbling noise of
artillery wheels was heard distinctly through the night, together
with the sound of moving railroad cars accompanied by the locomotive
whistles. Captain Proctor had reported in person to inform Colonel
Burrell, “there was trouble ahead”; so when the _Harriet Lane_, in the
moonlight, discovered black smoke from smoke-stacks of Confederate
vessels across the bay, some two miles away, and signaled with rockets,
Lieutenant Stowell, placed in charge of the fireworks signals, burned
some lights for the purpose of giving information to the navy that the
military force was wide awake and ready. Every man on the wharf was
ordered to man the breastworks.
It was at this time the colonel noticed that the _Clifton_ had left her
position. She was signaled by Renshaw from the _Westfield_ that he was
aground, and gone to her assistance between twelve and one o’clock.
The _Westfield_ discovered these Confederate steamers about the same
time as the _Harriet Lane_ and got under way, but very soon was hard
and fast ashore at high water. The absence of both the _Owasco_ and
_Clifton_ left the military upon the wharf unprotected on the flanks
for some hours.
The _Bayou City_ had left Choppers Bar, at Morgan’s Point, between nine
and ten o’clock Wednesday night, December 31st, with the _Royal Yacht_
and _J. F. Carr_ in tow. The _Royal Yacht_ got aground at Redfish Bar
and had to be left behind. The Confederate boats being light draft
steamers could navigate the shoal waters of the bay, and were not
obliged, on arriving opposite the city, to keep to the ship channel.
Upon being discovered these steamers withdrew out of sight to Half Moon
Shoals, six miles distant. The military force went into their barracks
again to sleep on their arms.
Captain Sherive, with the chaplain, made a second visit to the city,
by a mistake getting outside of the lines; they had been drawn in
once more without any notification to the rest of the command. They
found the city full of people; and had the enemy been ready then for
operations, both officers would have been killed, or wounded and taken
prisoners. Not ready to act, the Confederates kept in hiding as much as
possible.
About half-past three o’clock in the morning, masses of moving men in
the streets were discovered by the picket sentries, who fired at them
and slowly fell back toward the wharf, without eliciting a fire in
return. The troops asleep in the barracks, equipments and overcoats
on, for the night was cold, and guns by their side, were immediately
ordered up, and to line the work built on the thirtieth. The order was
promptly obeyed: Company I upon the right; Company G upon the left;
while Company D was to be stationed in line, with its left resting at
the breastwork, the right prolonged towards the harbor, ready to wheel
either to the right or left up to the work. As the picket detail came
in over the single plank left upon the openings in the wharf for that
purpose, they took position with Company G. Lieutenant Newcomb was
the last man in. Up to between one and two o’clock a bright moonlight
enabled objects to be distinguished for some distance, but after two
o’clock darkness had shut in to such a degree that objects ten feet
off could not be seen. A few cheering words were rapidly addressed to
his men by the colonel, who cautioned them not to forget the State
they represented, and to reserve their fire until orders were given to
commence. The enemy lost no time in getting into position. Magruder
must have expected to be able to cut off the whole or part of the
picket from reaching the wharf by placing his first gun at the large
open door of the Star Foundry, a building at the head of the next
wharf to the right of Kuhn’s Wharf, for the position gave him a chance
to rake the wharf. It was this gun that was first fired, having been
rapidly placed in the foundry after the pickets gave warning he was at
hand.
A city clock had a few minutes previous struck four o’clock when this
gun was fired by General Magruder in person, the ball glancing over the
edge of the breastwork, crashing through the storehouse, and the action
opened. All of the enemy’s artillery opened fire shortly after with
solid shot, shell and canister. Before he fired the first gun, Magruder
remarked: “Boys, now we will give them hell,” and after firing left for
his headquarters, established on Broadway, saying, “Now boys, I have
done my part as private, I will go and attend to that of general.”
A number of men not exactly sick, but worn out and tired from continued
hard work, together with a few lazy fellows, remained in the building
when the rest filed out. They did not stay long. Private Mosely,
Company D, who was lying down when told by Sergeant Waterman to get up
and come along, said it was “d----d nonsense,” and proposed to have
some sleep. The cannon ball crashing and smashing things over his head
sent Mose rolling down the run that lead to the second story. Private
Dave Howe, Company D, who claimed to be sick, climbed out of a window
to a pitch roof, that covered the water tank, straddling along until
the end was reached, when he found himself looking down into the water;
a shell over his head just then sent him wriggling back and through the
window again, and down he tumbled over the run to the wharf. One of the
incidents the men can never forget was the chaplain finding Privates
Thompson and Vining[6] had got into a large iron tank, used to catch
rain-water from the storehouse roofs, that was set upon its side close
to the building, drove them out and got in himself. Not a very safe
place to take shelter if a solid shot happened to strike it.
[6] Daniel Harvey Vining, of Weymouth, an odd character, was sixty-five
years old. He tried to get mustered with Company A, but the mustering
officer rejected him as too old. When Company D was mustered into
service Vining dyed his hair, fixed up to look young, and tried it
again with that company. The officer knew him however, and asked: “How
old are you to-day?” Vining answered promptly, “Forty-four years old.”
No further questions were put and he was mustered in, to his delight.
The Confederate land force under General Magruder, consisted
of infantry commands of Colonels Green, Bagby and Reily,
Lieutenant-Colonel L. A. Abercrombie and Major Griffin; Colonel Pyron’s
regiment dismounted dragoons; Colonel X. B. Debray’s cavalry regiment;
and cavalry companies of Captain Bowles, Atkins, Andrews, and Durant;
Colonel J. J. Cook’s regiment artillery; and Wilson’s six-gun light
battery. The country for miles around was thoroughly scoured for
volunteers, who flocked to Magruder’s force, in this way swelled to
about five or six thousand men of all arms. The brigade commanders
were Brigadier-General W. R. Scurry and Colonel Reily. General Scurry
had command in the immediate vicinity of the wharf. Besides Wilson’s
light battery the enemy had six siege guns, fourteen field pieces--some
of them rifled--and a railroad ram, armed with an eight-inch Dahlgren
mounted on a railroad flat car. Most of this artillery arrived from the
Mississippi River a week before. In regard to the numbers of his men
General Magruder, in conversation with the officers some time after
they were prisoners of war, admitted he had no means of officially
knowing the strength of his force, and then placed it as about five or
six thousand men because such large numbers of volunteers joined him.
Details of the attack were made at Pyron’s camp. Three heavy guns were
ordered to Fort Point in charge of Captain S. T. Fontaine, of Cook’s
artillery regiment, supported by six companies dismounted dragoons,
under Colonel Pyron. Major Wilson was to open fire on the wharf with
his battery. The railroad ram was to take position on railroad wharf to
fire at the _Harriet Lane_. The remainder of the artillery, manned by
Cook’s regiment, was to be posted in eligible positions on the Strand
and water front, and warehouses along the edge. Artillery was hauled
by mules and by hand half way to the city from the railroad bridge, at
one o’clock that night. A large quantity of cotton was also carried
by rail to railroad wharf for use in building a breastwork, besides a
large quantity of intrenching tools, for the purpose of Magruder was to
throw up intrenchments at the ends of streets leading to the water if
his plan of action did not succeed before daylight. Signals agreed upon
were: white light--enemy in sight; blue light--order to prepare; red
light--make ready for action; at twenty minutes intervals.
General Magruder is credited with sending this dispatch to Major Leon
Smith from Summit Station, thirty-five miles from Galveston, on the
Galveston and Houston Railroad, as his soldiers commenced the march to
take positions assigned them: “I am off, and will make the attack as
agreed, whether you come up or not. The rangers of the prairie send
greeting to the rangers of the sea.”
Upon reaching the city, shortly before four o’clock, the Confederates
placed a 32 Pr. gun at the cotton press near McKinney’s Wharf, to
engage the _Harriet Lane_. This point was the left of the Confederate
battle line. A 42 Pr. gun was placed at the head of Kuhn’s Wharf, near
Social Hall, and a section of Wilson’s battery was near Hendleir’s
Wharf. Why they did not attempt to place guns upon ends of the wharves
on each side of Kuhn’s Wharf, where an enfilading fire upon the
soldiers of the Forty-Second could have been obtained, is a mystery,
unless they feared the positions too much exposed.
Of the navy, the _Sachem_ was first to open fire, followed by the
_Corypheus_ and the _Harriet Lane_. For an hour did shot and shell fly
all around the troops upon the wharf, accompanied with musket balls,
causing them to think they were to get “h--ll” sure, as Magruder said,
and to hug the planks and huddle close to the breastwork in such a
manner that the original position planned for them to take at that work
was lost. After a few rounds had been fired at them with no wholesale
slaughter occurring, many of the men began to gain that confidence old
soldiers possess, and to note progress of the action.
The navy fired high and made hot work in the city, but did not for some
time do any execution among the enemy’s guns. Seeing this, Captain
Sherive shouted to them: “Fire lower, and not so high,” In spite of
the distance, sailors of the _Sachem_, who were afterwards taken
prisoners at Sabine Pass, said they distinctly heard the warning,
and then depressed their guns as much as possible. The Confederates
admitted that the firing from heavy guns on the naval vessels was hard
to stand. The crashing of walls and falling timbers, and a constant
rain of bricks, mortar and roofing, as the shot and shell plunged
through buildings, added to the crash of many hundreds of window panes,
assisted to make the night hideous.
At the first shot from the enemy Colonel Burrell ordered every man
to lie down. During the first hour the colonel walked the wharf,
taking careful notice of all that occurred. Many shells would drop
upon the wharf and explode, or burst overhead, pieces flying forward
and overboard, yet he did not receive a scratch. A shell exploded in
the storehouse and, seeing flame and smoke, he ran in, but a wooden
partition prevented his reaching the fire. He shouted: “Is any one in
there?” Private Hersey, with a few others, was lying down close to one
of the rain-water hogsheads in the building when the fire started among
the tents stored there, and at once endeavored to put it out. Hersey
answered that HE was and that the tents were on fire, when
Colonel Burrell ordered them thrown into the water by a back door, that
could be easily reached. Part of the burning tents were soon floating
in the harbor; but finding an empty pail, and drawing water from the
hogshead, Hersey soon extinguished the fire. The ammunition that lay in
dangerous proximity to the tents was at once attended to. A call for
men to “come in here and rout out this ammunition” was promptly obeyed
by a squad of men, who soon placed the boxes near the end of the wharf
where they could easily be pitched overboard in case of necessity.
It was still dark at five o’clock when the enemy suddenly ceased
their artillery fire. This was ominous; everybody felt an assault was
premeditated. Not a shot had been fired from the wharf, which must have
deceived the enemy as to the condition the Forty-Second detachment was
in to repel an assault. They supposed many were killed or wounded. A
sharp lookout from the breastwork was ordered. Somebody sung out that
they were coming in boats to the left of the wharf. Colonel Burrell
called for men, and ran to where the storehouse abuts the wharf-edge,
but could not see or hear anything. Leaving the men to watch, he
rapidly passed back to the breastwork to see that the men there took
position ready to open fire, and again ran back to the left. He was
there when the first fire was opened to repel the assault.
The assaulting column (about five hundred men) under Colonel Cook, said
to have been composed of two small regiments, could be heard splashing
in the water as they waded out. The understanding among the officers
was, in case of an assault they were to wait until the enemy came
within easy range before firing.
Adjutant Davis, Captains Proctor and Sherive, and Lieutenant Newcomb,
were anxiously looking over the breastwork into the darkness to catch a
glimpse of where the enemy were. Captain Proctor sang out that he could
see moving objects in the water, when Adjutant Davis gave the order to
fire. A volley was given, followed up by some rapid firing at will, as
fast as the men could load. Those in the front ranks had to look out,
for in the excitement men from the rear would crowd up and blaze away
regardless of friend or foe. As the line of fire was mostly straight
away from the shoulder, very few firing downwards into the water, the
casualties to the attacking force was not heavy. Some of them attempted
to come out upon the wharf, by placing planks over the openings where
they had been torn up. They did get to the first breastwork, and showed
their heads above it, as the musketry flashes lit up the scene, but no
further.
The _Sachem_ and _Corypheus_, attracted by this fight, sent shot and
shells toward the head of the wharf among the enemy in such a manner
that they were glad to fall back, with such scaling ladders as they
carried, taking most of the dead and wounded ashore. A few bodies were
floating in the water during the morning hours.
After this repulse the enemy retired behind the protection of
buildings and side streets, out of musket range. The combined fire
of the three gunboats, who continued to send their compliments among
the enemy’s artillery placed to cover Kuhn’s Wharf, prevented the
Confederates from anything more than random artillery firing after
this assault. Some of their batteries they had previously found great
difficulty in keeping manned; the gunners were forced to return to
their pieces many times by cavalry patrols stationed in the rear.
As daylight dawned, a scattered musketry-fire was opened on both sides.
The Confederate riflemen took positions in windows, and upon the flat
roofs of such warehouses as overlooked the wharf within range. The
small field-gun, stationed at the Star Foundry, was sending some shells
which exploded underneath the wharf, making it a question whether the
piling would not eventually be severed and destroy the wharf. The
gunners had also got the range where the men lay, and by a little
elevation they could sweep them. Hastily calling for some good rifle
shots, Colonel Burrell posted them near the flanking raft, with orders
to prevent that gun from being served. This detail did the duty well,
effectually putting a stop to the Confederates dodging from around the
street corner to load and fire. Major Dickinson, General Magruder’s
assistant adjutant-general, lost an eye while gallantry trying to
attach a drag-rope to the gun in order to draw it away, when they found
it dangerous to keep at work; a nephew of the general, Lieutenant
George A. Magruder, aide-de-camp, also made the attempt after Dickinson
was wounded--all of no avail, the gun had to be abandoned by them.
An attempt was made about seven o’clock to launch a boat that was upon
the wharf for repairs, and then supposed to be in condition for use, in
order to send Captain Sherive, who volunteered to go, on board one of
the vessels with a request that they come up and take the troops off.
Colonel Burrell, Captain Sherive, Adjutant Davis, Lieutenant Cowdin
and Private Morrill, Company D, had got the boat launched from the
end of the wharf, but it filled with water and sank at once, because
some bullet holes had not been noticed, when the riflemen from a brick
building at the head of the next wharf commenced to fire at them. As
the bullets began to whistle over their heads the men shouted: “Look
out, colonel, they are firing at you!” Private Morrill was severely
wounded in a hand, Captain Sherive and Adjutant Davis dodged behind
hawser posts, Lieutenant Cowdin jumped for shelter, and the colonel
disappeared in a hurry down a sloping freight gangway that was handy.
The men thought he was shot until he called to them: “I am all right.”
In a few moments the _Owasco_ was seen in the slight foggy mist of the
morning coming along from the coal bark, and when off the wharf sent a
few shells into the building, driving the annoying riflemen out. The
_Clifton_, ordered by Renshaw to return to the city when the action
opened, with difficulty kept the channel, and returned from Pelican
Spit soon after daylight, opening fire upon the enemy’s guns placed in
position on the sand beach near Fort Point by Captain Fontaine, driving
the gunners away, and continued on past the wharf a short distance,
taking position near the _Sachem_. In passing, a solid shot was fired
over the wharf obliquely, into the brick building used for a lookout
station, one quarter of a mile distant, tearing a corner out and making
a bad wreck of the building.
With the exception of a few shot and shell fired into the city by
the gunboats nearly all firing had ceased when it was about broad
daylight. The enemy had removed most of their artillery; only a few
pieces remained that they could not and dare not persist in attempting
to take away: the rifles of Company G could reach them and prevented
it. Captain Sherive asked permission to take his company out and
secure them, but the colonel would not allow it, fearing an ambuscade.
Volunteers were called for, to go out and ascertain the position of
the enemy. Several volunteered, but the selection fell upon Private
Colson, Company I, a rather tough customer, who had been put in irons
for misbehavior and confined in the guard-house for some time, but been
released. He went out, soon returned, and reported the enemy hid behind
buildings and massed in the yards not far away.
The naval force, excepting the _Westfield_, all assembled on the harbor
front, daylight to assist them in discovering the enemy’s position;
the front of Kuhn’s Wharf cleared of their presence, it did seem for a
short time that a victory would eventually be won.
In less than fifteen minutes the whole aspect of affairs was changed.
The State authorities had taken the _Bayou City_, a Houston and
Galveston packet steamer, made bulwarks of cotton bales upon her sides
and armed her with a 68 Pr. rifled gun, placed in the bow. The river
steamer _Neptune_ was also fitted out in the same manner and carried
two Howitzer guns. Steamers _Lucy Govirn_ and _Royal Yacht_ were used
as tenders to collect wood for the gunboats, and steamer _John F. Carr_
was fitted up for a hospital boat.