interest of the scene shall culminate in her, let us turn our eyes (still from the deck of the Mary A. Boardman) to what is transpiring elsewhere. off Galveston. Here an ominous sight awaited her in the ruined lighthouse on Bolivar Pointa long sandy reach stretching toward the town from the east. The upper portion of the tower, The fighting began in the town at from three of whitewashed brick, had been destroyed, the to half-past three A.M., and raged furiously. It light extinguished, the house below burned, as appeared in the upper portion, where Colonel Burafterward appeared, on the night of Sunday, the rill's men were encamped, above the gas works, twenty-eighth, by the rebels, in anticipation of at three wharves distance below where the Harthe arrival of Union troops. The signal of the riet Lane lay. From warehouses, wharves, winMary A. Boardman being answered by the flag-dows, and house-tops, a hellish fire of musketry ship Westfield, that vessel came out to meet her, and Com. Renshaw sent an officer and pilot on board, when the Mary's crew learned for the first time that Magruder was in command at Virginia Point, with heavy reënforcements, threatening active hostilities. had opened upon the devoted three hundred of the Forty-second Massachusetts, while light artillery raked the streets leading to the water-side. To this the Harriet Lane responded, first by throwing solid shot from her two nine-inch guns, and then by shell from her rifled cannon and twentyThe Mary A. Boardman crossed the first bar of pounders, throwing them in the direction of the the harbor in company with the Westfield, just railroad bridge, by which it was only too evident at sunset, the day dying magnificently, the de- that the rebels were swarming to the attack. clining sun lighting up the windows of the city Their batteries-the four before mentioned-were with dazzling lustre. Passing the inner bar, she all active. They had crossed with upward of came to anchor up Bolivar's Channel, on the east-three thousand infantry, commanded by Magruern side of Pelican Island, in the still water be- der in person, bringing artillery on the cars. low the town, the flag-ship doing the like, within hailing distance, only a little nearer to Bolivar's Point. Seaward, further down, lay the Saxon. A fine, calm, moonlight night succeeded the day; it was a little hazy, but without fog, and very quiet; one could see objects distinctly, hear the dash of the waves on the beach, and their ripple on the bay. And so the last night of the year settled down on Galveston. At this time it was as dark as Erebus; a blackness illumined only by the flash of cannon, the bursting of shell, and the quick, intermittent sparkle of musketry. The sounds, at once horrible and indescribable, welcoming this ghastly New-Year's morning, need not be dwelt upon. As soon as the firing began, two of the rebel gunboats had borne down upon the Harriet Lane and engaged her. One was a huge, long, highUp to half-past two o'clock A.M., every thing re- pressure Mississippi steamer, of the usual twomained tranquil, but just then, when the moon story build, with her tall chimneys cut down, was disappearing in the western haze, and the piled four bales high with cotton, her paddle-boxes specks of light on the vessels burned all the hidden by them, faced with planking and crossbrighter for the gathering darkness, the Harriet pieces, and manned-the upper and lower decks Lane signalled suddenly, announcing danger.—with sharp-shooters. The other, a stern-wheel From her post at the inner extremity of the town boat, slow and small, partook of the character of she had discerned an uprising within it-an at- a ram, being armed with one pivot-gun, and faced, tack upon our three hundred Massachusetts soldiers. Almost simultaneously, four rebel gunboats were discovered, either by the Clifton or Westfield, coming down the bay. Immediately the signalled vessels answered, and the Westfield, hauling up her anchor, got under way, intending to cross the Pelican Spit and run up to the wharves, abreast the town. The flag-ship aground! A fatal mischance! Drifted by the current directly on to the island, in shoal-water, at full tide, there she struck on her bows and there remained. A thousand-ton boat, one of the best of our blockading fleet, with a rudder at each end, double boilers, and seventy feet breadth of beam, she lay in the sand immovable. even to the top of her solitary chimney, with railroad iron, so that the black smoke exuded as from the conical roof. Both of these anomalous monsters assailed the Harriet Lane, evidently intending to board her, she in her turn throwing shell at them, some of which ricocheted for half a mile upon the surface of the water, her object being to strike them below the guards and sink them. This, however, she did not effect, and steadily they approached, the ram careening over to one side, as if ill balanced, and the sharp-shooters on the steamer keeping up an incessant fusilade from her decks and the tops of the cotton-bales, where they clustered like bees. To the assistance of the Harriet Lane came the Owasco and the little Sachem, a combatant worAnd first she signalled to the Clifton (another thy of mention. A light-draft steamer, she had vessel of the same sort, and, like the Westfield, put into Galveston in an almost unseaworthy conwell known to Staten Islanders and holiday New-dition, and had been ordered to lie by the wharf Yorkers) to come alongside and tug her off, and to protect Col. Burrill's men; with her one large the Clifton tugged and tugged, and could not effect it. At this juncture Commodore Renshaw sent a warning to the Mary A. Boardman concerning the rebel gunboats, and resumed his pilot, Mr. Davis, who had remained on board the former. Leaving the Westfield for a while, until the tragic rifle-gun and two small ones she joined battle with all the courage of a first-class man-of-war. So, presently, did the Clifton, temporarily re linquishing the hope of rescuing the Westfield, and making to the scene of action, but her progress was not unchallenged. As she turned to pass over the bar, suddenly the enemy opened fire upon her with two heavy pieces, from Fort Point, an old battery, hitherto abandoned, but which the rebels had succeeded in remounting during the night. This compliment the Clifton answered, first with her bow-gun, then the rest of her armament, moving rapidly, and throwing shell continuously. Soon she had cleared the Point, and, losing one man by the Minie bullet of a sharp-shooter, held on her course toward the Harriet Lane and the thickest of the fight, which then became general both on land and water. tering idly at the bow of the Westfield, and another, a rebel one, the "stars and bars," on the huge Mississippi steamer, have been visible. The Mary A. Boardman, with her anchor up, follows the example. It is a moment of doubt, of intense excitement. But the Harriet Lane does not respond. In five more, a boat puts off from her toward the Owasco, manned by a handful of rebels, conveying a paroled officer (it is asserted the only surviving one) bearing his white handkerchief tied to his sword as a flag of truce. He goes to request a suspension of hostilities, and, directly afterward, white flags are flying on the Owasco and the Clifton-but not upon the little Sachem! Capt. Law of the Clifton puts off in a gig from that vessel to Commodore Renshaw, with a message received from Gen. Magruder on shore. It gives the Union fleet until ten o'clock to leave Galveston on peril of destruction. The doomed vessel, her steam not up, unable to escape, was the centre of a perfectly infernal fire-dance. Seen from the Mary A. Boardman, The best part of an hour passes in inaction. the spectacle assumed an aspect at once grand Then Commodore Renshaw sends a message and and terrific. Overhead and around night was his pilot to the Mary A. Boardman, bidding her slowly retiring before day; the dim light preva- run up to the town to ascertain what has oclent being rent by the frequent flashes of cannon, curred, instructing Capt. Weir, if fired upon, to the soaring aloft of shell, and the omnipresent raise the white flag. Accordingly, taking the short-lived blaze of musketry, while the hellish precaution to load her ten-pounder, she steams discord beggars all description. Prominent amid off from the Westfield, past Fort Point, but preit, one heard the sonorous boom of the eleven-sently returns, finding her task anticipated. inch gun of the Owasco, the bellowing of the batteries, and the volleys, shrieks, and detonations pervading the town. But our struggle is nearing its end. The rebel steamer and ram have closed at length, on either side of the Harriet Lane, boarded her, and a bloody struggle is raging on her deck. Her invaders, maddened it is said with whisky, fight like infuriate devils, precipitating themselves headlong on the guards, swarming fore and aft, and pouring an incessant hail of small arms from above and below upon the devoted crew. They contend with an enemy apparently unwilling either to give or take quarter. Sternly they are met, sternly resisted. Gallant Captain Wainwright is killed, and of his one hundred and thirty men, all but ten or twenty share his fate, and the Harriet Lane is captured by the enemy! Almost directly after the return of Capt. Law to his steamer, the second cutter of the Westfield reaches the Mary A. Boardman with orders for her to come as near as possible and lie to, as the Commodore has determined to transfer his men and then to blow up his own vessel. It is asserted-whether with truth I cannot pretend to decide—that he was advised to this course by Captain Law. The scene that ensued, consequent on the knowledge of Com. Renshaw's resolution, on board both vessels, was one scarcely to be paralleled in the experience of a lifetime. It might have been a quarter-past nine o'clock, hence very little time remained for the transfer of men and baggage-the Commodore, indeed, proposed to allow but fifteen minutes. Instantly, then, all was animation. The Westfield lay at about five hundred feet from the Mary A. Boardman, with all her portholes open and her guns run out, every body on board being promiscuously en The loss has occurred, but it is not, as yet, evident, indeed perceptible. Though her guns are silenced, the Owasco, the Clifton, the brave little Sachem still prolong the contest. Presently the former, seen in the gray light of the morning at about six o'clock stops firing, the others emulate her example. Everywhere the fire ceases or slackens, and on the opposite side of the island two rebel gunboats are descried, tranquilly look-gaged in endeavoring to secure whatever came uping on, and, in the remote distance, yet two others, only to be distinguished by the long line of black smoke proceeding from their chimneys. Turn we to the flag-ship Westfield, stranded at three miles' distance. The Mary A. Boardman has abandoned the task of endeavoring to deliver her, rendered the more hopeless by the rapidlyfalling tide. A hawser has been discouragingly The three boats of the Westfield, the first and snapped asunder. Nobody on board of either second cutter and gig, plied to and fro incessantvessel knows the result of the contest centring ly. In from fifteen to twenty minutes, one hunabout the Harriet Lane, but the silence succeeding it seems ominous. Suddenly, at a little after six, the Owasco, the Clifton, and the Sachem, display their colors. Up to that moment, no flag, except one, flut permost. Hammocks, officers' trunks, seamen's chests, cutlasses, swords, rifles, fowling-pieces, blankets, articles of clothing, even looking-glasses, were thrown pell-mell into the boats, hurriedly stowed away and rowed, each with its due proportion of men, to the Boardman, where all hands labored unceasingly to receive them. dred and thirty men were transferred from one vessel to the other, Captain Weir superintending matters forward on the Mary A. Boardman, and Major Burt doing the same aft. To the admirable coolness and presence of mind exhibited by the former gentleman, the latter attributes the successful rescue of the crew, nor has the writer any doubt whatever that the praise might be honestly shared. At length, only one cutter remained alongside the Westfield, the gig; another, loaded almost to the water's edge, was at a little distance, and about to put off to the Mary A. Boardman. The cutter awaited but its living freight, in the shape of the Commodore and two others; that obtained, a slow match was to be ignited and the steamer blown to air. She had two magazines on board, and was almost literally full of powder, shells, and ammunition. In another ten-in five-minutes all might have been secure, and Commodore Renshaw and those accidentally hurried into eternity with him living men at this hour. That was not to be. Those who saw them last in this world report as follows: Commodore Renshaw stood quietly on the fore part of the vessel above one of the open powdermagazines. Near him, a barrel of turpentine, with its head stove in, had been lowered down the hatchway into the forecastle. But two oarsmen were in the cutter, with some eight or ten passengers. To them descended the Chief Engineer, Mr. W. K. Green, followed by the First Lieutenant, Charles W. Zimmerman. Both gentlemen seated themselves in the boat. All now had quitted the doomed vessel except the Commodore. He was seen to step down the stairway, to enter the cutter, when the match, prematurely fired (it is said by a drunkard) must have communicated with the turpentine. Instantly a heavy roll of black smoke surged upward, followed by a bright, explosive flame, full ten feet high. No aların followed this, not a word was spoken; the Commodore turned round and looked back, the heavy boat was alongside with her crowd of passengers, the crew of the Mary A. Boardman and her recent acquisitions were gazing curiously at the bright flame, and the tall thin form of their first officer, when A white puff of smoke broke through the hatchway as from the muzzle of a cannon. It was followed by an explosion so tremendous as to move air, water, every thing within its scope, jarring the Mary A. Boardman as though she were shaken by an earthquake; and shooting up in the shape of a monstrous fan, like the eruption of a volcano, soared a reversed cone of fire, while spreading equally in every direction-for there was not wind enough in the calm January morning to disturb them-rolled and billowed the heavy volumes of smoke. High up, too, overhead, adding infinitely to the horror and beauty of the occasion, exploded innumerable shells, a hundred of which had been piled up on the deck, perhaps in anticipation of their destiny. One of the powder-magazines had exploded, utterly destroying the forward half of the Westfield, and leaving the remaining portion a shattered and blasted ruin. The two boats and all within them had disappeared! Before the shocked and startled spectators on the Mary A. Boardman had recovered from the concussion of air, (as great as might have been occasioned by the near discharge of a whole park of artillery,) the heavier fragments of the explod ed steamer fell with sullen plunges into the water, followed by the lighter, producing a rain-like patter over the surface, in a circle of at least five hundred feet about the centre of ruin. To this extent the troubled water was literally blackened, as though tar had been poured over it. But not more so than the shattered half of the unfortu nate Westfield yet afloat, whose smoke-stack and walking-beam were still standing, and over whose bows still waved the American flag. Although her safety-valve had been chained down, her steam got up to the highest point, her boilers had not exploded. The sharp singing of her vapor was distinctly audible on the Mary A. Boardman in the ghastly silence that now prevailed; and-noticeable in it-the captain's gig came slowly drifting down from beneath the bows of the wreck, her gunwale just above the water. The Westfield remained thus for from five to eight minutes, when she burst into sudden blaze near her smoke-stack. Soon the conflagration had spread throughout the entire ruin; the flagship was one entire sheet of flame. With more shells exploding and cannon going off one by one, as they were accidentally ignited, she was but a dangerous neighbor. The Mary A. Boardman did not wait to witness another explosion by the aft magazine. The rebel ram and gunboats were now coming down the bay, and the batteries had reopened upon the Owasco, Clifton, and Sachem; in addition to which the artillery used in slaughtering the Twenty-second Massachusetts had been conveyed by mules to below the town, where they began firing upon our steamers. There seemed nothing for it but flight, and flee they did accordingly, leaving the Harriet Lane in possession of the enemy, and the Westfield a mere chimera of fire and smoke, to burn herself to the water's edge in Galveston Harbor. Their last experience was comprised in the Clifton's throwing a shell into the huge Mississippi steamer, which followed them over the bar, and compelling her to retire. There is now no Union vessel, save the captured Harriet Lane, in Galveston, Texas. T. B. G. REBEL REPORTS AND NARRATIVES. GENERAL MAGRUDER'S DESPATCH. HEADQUARTERS, GALVESTON, TEXAS. This morning, the first January, at three o'clock, I attacked the enemy's fleet and garrison at this place, and captured the latter and the steamer Harriet Lane, and two barges, and a schooner of the former. The rest, some four or five, escaped ignominiously under cover of a flag of truce. I have about six hundred prisoners, and a large quantity of valuable stores, arms, etc. The Harriet Lane is very little injured. She was carried by boarding from two high-pressure cotton steamers manned by Texas cavalry and artillery. The line troops were gallantly commanded by Colonel Green, of Sibley's brigade, and the ships and artillery by Major Leon Smith, to whose HOUSTON "TELEGRAPH" ACCOUNT. HOUSTON, TEXAS, January 5, 1863. As General Magruder was on his way to Texas, accompanied by Judge Oldham, Major Forshey and others, the subject of retaking Galveston Island was brought up. The difficulties of the undertaking were canvassed, and the question came up whether the work was feasible. Major Forshey observed: "General, I think the best plan is to resolve to retake Galveston any way, and then canvass the difficulties." The General replied that he thought so too, and from that point began the undertaking. Arrived in Texas, the first thing the General set about was a thorough examination of the ground, and a full canvass of such plans as presented themselves for the work. He also gathered all the forces from the various parts of the State that could be spared from other lines of defence. He might have got ready sooner but for th want of field-artillery, which Major Bloomfield. Chief Quartermaster, was pushing from the Mississippi as fast as he could. They reached here only last week. On Thursday, December twenty-fifth, it was determined to delay no longer, and orders were at once issued to prepare for the attack. It was then hoped that every thing might be got ready by Saturday night, which would have given four hours of darkness for the attack, the moon setting at about two A.M. But the gunboats could not be fixed in time. The utmost energy was displayed, but the work of putting up the bulwarks was not completed in time. It was found that all things could not be got in readiness before the thirty-first of December, and the night of the thirty-first was fixed for the attack. The Bayou City, a Houston and Galveston packet, had been taken by the State, and fitted up as a gunboat, under charge of Captain Henry Lubbock. She was armed with a thirtytwo pounder rifled gun on her bow-deck. Bulwarks of cotton-bales were built on her sides, and a force of one hundred men put on board of her, and on Tuesday she left here to await orders at the head of Galveston Bay. Captain Weir, of company B, Cook's regiment, commanded the gun, and it was manned by a portion of his men and Captain Schneider's, Captain Schneider being second in command. Colonel Green commanded the sharp-shooters, who were detailed from his regiment. The Neptune, another bayou packet, was taken on the twenty-sixth, and, under direction of Major Leon Smith, fitted up as a gunboat as well as it could be done in the brief time. Bulwarks of cotton-bales were built up also on her guards, and she had much the appearance, when she left here, of a well-loaded cotton-boat, taking her cargo down to Galveston for shipment. She was armed with two howitzer guns, and commanded by Captain W. H. Sangster. Captain Herby, of the C. S. Navy, commanded her guns; Lieutenant Harvey Clark being second in command, and Colonel Bagby, of the Seventh cavalry, commanded the detail of his men who were on board as sharp-shooters. The men were detailed from the Sibley brigade; all the brigade having stepped forward on a call for volunteers, and being anxious to take part in the affair. Beside these, there were several volunteers from among our citizens. The full number of men was about one hundred and fifty. The Neptune left here the morning of the same day with the Bayou City. The Lucy Gwin accompanied the expedition as tender, under command of Major A. McKee, and the John E. Carr, also tender, under command of Captain John Y. Lawless. On the Carr there were a number of troops and volunteers, and on the Gwin quite a number of spectators, who went prepared to take a hand in the fight if their services were required. In addition to these there were some other vessels the cutter Dodge, the Royal Yacht, etc., that did not come into the action. The whole naval force was under the command of Major Leon Smith, who was admirably fitted for the command of the expedition, by his expe-rience as a sailor. In fact, better men for all the stations could not have been picked anywhere. It was ordered that the boats should get in position by twelve o'clock, and await the signal from the land forces for the attack. They went down, and after midnight arrived close by the fleet. They were discovered, and signal-lights from the fleet at once showed that the enemy were awake and watching for them. They looked anxiously for the signal from shore. Meanwhile the land forces, consisting of detachments from some four or five regiments, under command of Brig.-General Scurry and Col. X. B. De Bray, were moved at about dark from Virginia Point. This is on the main land, and from it a bridge two miles in length crosses Galveston Bay to Galveston Island, being about five miles distant from the city. The battle took place at the city, the gunboats lying along in front of the city in the bay, on the landward side of the island. Colonel De Bray commanded the attacking force, while Gen. Scurry was in command of the reserves. From the bridge they moved down to the city, but met with unexpected delays, and did not reach their position until after four o'clock. In the mean time the boats had withdrawn to Half Moon Shoals, twelve miles distant, and awaited signal. At about five o'clock (General Magruder says three, and a spectator says four, but we timed it by telegraph and are exact—it was eight minutes before five, Houston time,) all things on shore being in readiness, the ball opened, Gen. Magruder firing the first gun. The boats at once ditional surrender of these men was demanded put on steam and hurried to the scene. They and complied with. Their colors consist of a must have been an hour or so on the way, dur- United States flag of silk, and a white flag, having which time the artillery duel between the ing the coat of arms of Massachusetts painted on ships and the batteries was one of the most ter- it, with the motto: "Ense petit placidam sub lib"Under freedom the sword rific on record. Darkness shut out every thing ertate quietam' but the flash of the guns. seeks peaceful quiet." The appearance of the The scene was at once sublime and appalling. coat of arms is rather singular. In the centre is Our men were once driven from their guns, but an Indian with his bow; at the right corner of rallied and fought nobly on. As dawn approach- the shield is a single star, at which he is glanced the fire of the enemy appeared to increase in ing askance. We might say the savage was cov severity, and fearing that our men would be un-eting the Texas star. Unfortunately, the star is able to withstand it after daylight gaye the enemy in the ascendant, and the result proved the vana better view of our position, orders were prepar-ity of his wishes. At any rate the sword of the ed to withdraw. Just as they were about to be Forty-second has found peaceful quiet by the aid issued, however, at about six o'clock, the wel- of Texas freemen. come announcement was made at headquarters that the Bayou City and Neptune had arrived, and opened on the Harriet Lane. Instantly new vigor was infused in our men; they played their pieces with redoubled energy, and seemed determined that the victory should be ours. The gunboats paid their first attention to the Harriet Lane, the Bayou City leading the attack. The Neptune, being much the weaker, soon received such injuries as to disable her. The Bayou City, however, gallantly continued the fight, and, running aboard the Harriet Lane, swept her decks by boarding, and took possession of the ship. Captain Wainwright and his lieutenants having been killed, the ship was surrendered by the master's mate. Before the truce expired, the Federal gunboats drew off, and escaped out of the harbor, utterly routed and defeated, leaving in our hands the city, the harbor, the Harriet Lane, the two barks and a schooner, and vast stores, valuable artillery, etc. Doc. 96. ADDRESS TO PRESIDENT LINCOLN To Abraham Lincoln, President of the United As citizens of Manchester, assembled at the Free-Trade Hall, we beg to express our fraternal sentiments toward you and your country. We The Westfield now started off, apparently dis- rejoice in your greatness as an outgrowth of Engabled, and made her way over to Bolivar Chan- land, whose blood and language you share, whose nel, between Pelican Spit and Bolivar Point. orderly and legal freedom you have applied to new Here she was subsequently destroyed by the en- circumstances, over a region immeasurably greatemy during a truce. The propeller Owasco layer than our own. We honor your Free States, as in the channel about three fourths of a mile from a singularly happy abode for the working milthe Bayou City and Harriet Lane. As the Lane was boarded, the Owasco steamed up to within two or three hundred yards of them, firing into both. The force of the collision drove the Bayou City's stem so far into and under the wheel and gunwale of the Lane that she could not be got out. The Lane was also so careened that the guns could not be worked, and were consequently useless. They both lay, therefore, at the mercy of the Owasco. Herculean efforts were made to extricate them. lions where industry is honored. One thing alone has, in the past, lessened our sympathy with your country and our confidence in it-we mean the ascendency of politicians who not merely maintained negro slavery, but desired to extend and root it more firmly. Since we have discerned, however, that the victory of the free North, in the war which has so sorely distressed us as well as afflicted you, will strike off the fetters of the slave, you have attracted our warm and earnest sympathy. We joyfully honor you, as the The Owasco, evidently fearing the Lane's guns, President, and the Congress with you, for many withdrew to a position about a mile distant. It decisive steps toward practically exemplifying became plainly evident that unless the Bayou your belief in the words of your great founders: City and Harriet Lane could be separated, the"All men are created free and equal." You have enemy could escape if they wished. To gain time, therefore, a flag of truce was taken to the Owasco and Clifton, now lying close together, and a demand for a surrender. Time was asked to communicate with Com. Renshaw, who was on the Westfield. A truce of three hours was agreed upon. Previous to this, the Forty-second Massachusetts regiment, quartered on Kuhn's wharf, were charged. They were protected by barricades, and had taken up the planks from the wharf, rendering it impassable, and our forces withdrew. During the truce with the vessels, the uncon procured the liberation of the slaves in the district around Washington, and thereby made the centre of your Federation visibly free. You have enforced the laws against the slave-trade, and kept up your fleet against it, even while every ship was wanted for service in your terrible war. You have nobly decided to receive embassadors from the negro republics of Hayti and Liberia, thus forever renouncing that unworthy preju lice which refuses the rights of humanity to men and women on account of their color. În order more effectually to stop the slave-trade, you have made with our Queen a treaty, which your Senate has |