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few men with a flag to be raised for half an | by some friendly lips to the commanding officers hour, to show our absolute possession of the place. He also brought his ships before the town with all his guns double shotted, prepared signally to avenge any insult. The city was thus held until the 1st of January, 1863.

The naval force at this time holding Galveston consisted of the Westfield, Clifton, Harriet Lane, Owasco, Sachem, and Corypheus. A small force of National troops, consisting of but two hundred and sixty, rank and file, commanded by Colonel Burrill of the Forty-second Massachusetts volunteers, occupied a wharf in the town. It seems that notice had been given

of both land and naval forces that an attack was about to be made upon them, and it is not easy to account for the want of preparation in which we were found.

About 3 o'clock in the morning of the 1st of January, it being bright moonlight, several rebel steamers were seen descending the bay. The Harriet Lane advanced to meet them, and encountered two at the same time. One of these, the Bayou City, was armed with a 68pounder rifled gun, was barricaded with cotton bales for a height of twenty feet from the waterline, and was manned by two hundred troops.

CAPTURE OF THE HARRIET LANE,

The other, the Neptune, was similarly barricaded, carried one hundred and sixty men, and was armed with two small brass field-pieces. The conflict on both sides was conducted with the utmost bravery and desperation.

In the mean time the deadly howitzers of the Harriet Lane were turned upon her, and the guns of the other rebel steamers, and she was also assailed by such a merciless peppering of musketry from the swarming rebel troops on the boats and on the shore, that she was driven

wounded and one killed. The Sachem also took energetic part in the contest.

The Neptune was soon sunk by her powerful antagonist in about eight feet of water, she hav-back with every one of her rifle-gun crew ing backed, while in a sinking condition, upon the flats. But the Bayou City ran into the Harriet Lane, grappled her by catching under The account we receive of these scenes is her guard, and poured in terrible volleys of confused, for the event itself was full of confumusketry from her numerous and well-protect-sion, darkness, and bewilderment. From the ed crew. At the same time the crew of the various and contradictory account of the deNeptune, which had grounded near by in shal-tails I have thought it safest to follow the offilow water, also delivered a rapid and deadly fire. This storm of bullets from three hundred and sixty muskets, rapidly fired, at the shortest possible range, by men entirely protected by cotton bales, soon drove the crew of the Harriet Lane, but about one hundred in number, from their guns. The rebels from the Bayou City, with yells and like swarming wolves, bounded on board the patriot steam

er.

cial report of the Court of Inquiry ordered by Admiral Farragut to investigate the disaster, though some who profess to have been eye-witnesses give very different statements. For instance, Magruder, the rebel commander, and the official report of the Court of Inquiry states that the conflict commenced about three o'clock in the morning. But the correspondent of the Houston Telegraph, who professes to have been present, says that he timed it, and it was exactly eight minutes before five. The official re

Her commander, Captain Wainwright, though wounded, refused to surrender, and died man-port says that the Neptune was sunk, and that fully defending himself with his revolver. The assailing force was too strong to be resisted. All opposition was speedily quelled, and the noble steamer, unharmed, and with all its armament in perfect order for immediate action, fell into the hands of the rebels. It was, as it were, but the work of a moment. Such is war, such its vicissitudes. The rebels were now in power upon those waters, and our whole little squadron scemed to be at their mercy.

While this catastrophe was occurring upon the water a still more awful scene of disaster was taking place upon the land. As we have mentioned, two hundred and fifty men of the Forty-second regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers were on the wharf. But three companies of the regiment had as yet arrived. They were at the end, near the water, with no possible means of retreat or escape from an overpowering force. In the bright moonlight the rebels came rushing upon them in bands of strength which could not be resisted. With howls of exultation they swept down upon the doomed patriots. They were shot, sabred, stabbed, driven into the sea. They fought, as Massachusetts men ever do fight, with bravery which could not be surpassed. It was all in vain. How many were slain in that dreadful midnight hour is not known. The few survivors were taken prisoners, and hurried back forty miles in the country to Houston.

the Bayou City alone boarded the Harriet Lane. But the New York Tribune correspondent, giving the narrative as he received it from the lips of one of General Hamilton's staff, says that both the Bayou City and the Neptune boarded the Harriet Lane. The description he gives of the capture is truly eloquent, though it will be seen that it is slightly different from our narrative:

"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 spectacle assumed an aspect at once grand and terrific. Overhead and light prevalent being rent by the frequent flashes of canaround night was slowly retiring before day; the dim non, the soaring aloft of shell, and the omnipresent shortlived blaze of musketry, while the hellish discord beggars all description. Prominent amidst it, one heard the sonorous boom of the 11-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."

The mo

Commodore Renshaw's flag-ship, the WestThe moon had now gone down, and it was field, was armed with two 9-inch guns, four very dark. It was not safe to attempt to re- 68-pounders, and two rifled guns. take the Harriet Lane, as our own troops, un- ment the Harriet Lane, from her post farther armed and helpless, were crowded upon her up the bay, signaled danger, the Westfield got decks. The Owasco moved cautiously up and under way to run up abreast of the town. Swept exchanged a few shots with the enemy's artil- by the current she ran upon a shoal at high lery upon the shore. The channel was narrow, tide and there remained immovable. It was a and she frequently grounded. She could only thousand-ton boat, one of the best of the squadbring one 11-inch gun to bear upon the foe. | ron, with a rudder at each end and double boil

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ers.

There she lay, at this critical hour, helplessly imbedded in the sand.

The Clifton, a New York boat of the same general character, came to her rescue, and tugged and tugged in vain. Abandoning the effort as hopeless, the Clifton steamed toward the Harriet Lane, which was about three miles distant. The rebels opened upon her with two heavy guns which they had suddenly, during the night, mounted on an old abandoned battery. The Clifton, which had two 9-inch guns, four 32-pounders, and one pivot rifled gun, vigorously replied with her whole armament. The Mary Boardman made an attempt to release the Westfield. But after snapping a hawser asunder, and the tide rapidly falling, she relinquished the endeavor.

It was now half past seven o'clock. The rebels hoisted a white flag on the Harriet Lane. This steamer was so fastened to the Bayou City that it could not immediately be released. The rebel account in the Houston Telegraph says:

"It became plainly evident that unless the Bayou City and Harriet Lane could be separated the 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."

The flag of truce came on board the Clifton, informed her chief officer of the capture of the Harriet Lane, the death of her commander and first-lieutenant, and the killing and wounding of two-thirds of her crew. The rebel officer, Major Smith, demanded the surrender of all the patriot vessels, consenting, however, that one should be permitted to leave the harbor with the crews of all the rest; and threatening, in case these terms were not accepted, to steam down the harbor with the Harriet Lane and capture them all.

Lieutenant Law, of the Clifton, replied that he was not the commanding officer, and that he could not imagine that such terms would be accepted. He, however, offered to take Major Smith in his gig over to the Westfield, that he might tender his proposal to Commodore Renshaw. Flags of truce were now flying from our vessels and from the parties on shore. The rebels, in the mean time, were getting their artillery in position and preparing the Harriet Lane for action. Commodore Renshaw refused the proffered terms, and ordered all the vessels to get out of port as soon as possible. As the Westfield could not be floated he prepared to blow her up.

It was then about a quarter past nine o'clock. Fifteen minutes were allowed for the crew to leave the ship, with such articles of baggage as they could at the moment seize upon. The Mary A. Boardman was about 500 feet off, ready to receive the crew as they were rapidly transferred in three boats. In about twenty minutes one hundred and fifty men were conveyed from the one vessel to the other. the admirable energy, prudence, and presence of mind of Captain Wier and Major Burt, the rescue of the crew is greatly attributed.

To

One cutter, containing the last of the crew, now only remained alongside of the Westfield. At the distance of but a few yards there was another boat, laden almost to the water's edge, proceeding to the Mary A. Boardman. The Commodore and two others remained last on board the ship to apply the torch to the slowmatch. The ship had two magazines, and was crowded with a supply of powder, shells, and ammunition. Commodore Renshaw stood quietly on the fore-deck, just over one of these open magazines. The cutter, with but two oarsmen and eight or ten passengers, was alongside, waiting for him to apply the match and leap on board. His two companions, Engineer W. K. Green, and Lieutenant Charles W. Zimmerman, had taken their seat in the boat. He applied the match, and stepped down the stairway to enter the boat, when, by some casualty which can now never be explained, a white puff of smoke burst through the hatchway, followed by an explosion so tremendous as to shake both air and ocean like the upheaval of an earthA volcanic flame ascended to the quake. clouds in the form of an inverted cone, filled with shot and shells, and every conceivable form of fragments of wood and iron. In this awful billow of ruin both boats with their contents instantly disappeared. Innumerable shells exploded in the air, adding to the sublimity and horror of the scene. The crowd on board the Mary Boardman gazed with awe upon the appalling spectacle. As the fiery missiles fell "in hideous ruin and combustion down," the ocean, throughout a circle 500 feet in diameter, was agitated as if these were raining down upon it a storm of the fabled bolts of Jove.

One only of the powder magazines had exploded, utterly demolishing the forward half of the Westfield, and leaving the remainder of

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the boat a shattered wreck. But a few minutes runner was nothing less than the redoubtable elapsed ere the whole ship seemed to burst into rebel pirate Alabama, of English build, with Enflame-shells were exploding, and shotted can-glish armament, and English gunners. Should non going off. The Mary Boardman put on this prove true there was no alternative before all steam and hastened away from the presence Lieutenant Blake but to fight her at the most of so dangerous a neighbor. At the same time desperate odds, or to make an inglorious surthe rebel gun-boats were seen coming down the render. Commander Blake was equal to the bay. Nothing remained for our discomfited hour and instantly adopted the heroic resolve. squadron but precipitate flight.

The ship was cleared for action and every man was at his post. As the Alabama was vastly superior to the Hatteras in structure and in armament, Lieutenant Blake was fully aware that the only chance for him was to bring the vessels into the closest quarters, and with desperation of courage to endeavor to carry the

Lieutenant Law was now commanding officer. The Owasco was his only efficient vessel. As he did not consider this as by any means a match for the Harriet Lane, it was decided best to abandon the blockade. Though this disaster could exert but a trifling influence upon the general conduct of the war, it was an achieve-foe by boarding. The unknown vessel was now ment of which the rebels could be justly proud, and which a patriot can not reflect upon but with chagrin.

A rebel prisoner narrates the following incident as occurring on board the Harriet Lane. We presume it to be true, though of course we can not vouch for it:

"Almost the first men struck down were Captain Wainwright and Lieutenant Lee, who both fought with a desperation and valor that no mortal could surpass. When

bleeding and prostrate upon the deck they were still dealing death among their enemies. One young son of Captain Wainwright, only ten years of age, stood at the cabindoor, a revolver in each hand, and never ceased firing until he had expended every shot. One of his poor little hands was disabled by a ball shattering his four fingers. Then his infantile soul gave way; and he burst into tears, saying: 'Do you want to kill me?" The little hero was taken prisoner.

Immediately after the disaster at Galveston a conflict took place in those waters which, though apparently a deplorable defeat, proved in its results one of the most signal achievements of the war, and developed that marvelous heroism which has ever characterized the American navy. As soon as the tidings reached New Orleans of the great reverse which our arms had encountered in Galveston bay, the Hatteras, under Commander Homer C. Blake, was sent with a few other vessels to attempt to retake the place. The Hatteras arrived off Galveston on Saturday, January 10, 1863. At half past three o'clock Sunday afternoon, while at anchor with the fleet, under Commander Bell, a strange sail was seen far away in the southeast which was supposed to be a blockaderunner, making the land in preparation for running in during the night. The Hatteras was signaled to give chase.

lying to, broadside on, waiting for the Hatteras to come up. When the Hatteras had got within about 75 yards the stranger was hailed, and asked what vessel it was. The reply was returned, "Her Britannic Majesty's ship Vixen." And to the return question "What ship is that?" the answer was given, "The Hatteras."

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The propeller of the suspicious stranger was now turning, and it was observed that she was apparently endeavoring to gain a position for a The Commander instantly frusraking fire. trated that movement and said that he would send a boat on board. In a moment after this the stranger shouted out, through the darkness, "This is the Confederate steamer Alabama,' and instantly poured in a broadside from her starboard battery. The fire was as promptly returned. The frenzy of battle was instantly at its height, every nerve on both vessels being strained to its utmost tension. The Alabama had six long 32-pounders, one 105-pounder rifle on a pivot, one 68-pounder with double fortified pivot, one 24-pounder rifle. The Hatteras had four 32-pounders, two 30-pounder rifles, one 20-pounder rifle, and one 12-pound howitzer.

Commander Blake, as the battle was fiercely raging, endeavored to close with the Alabama to board her. But the superior speed of the rebel craft enabled Semmes to thwart all such designs. The vessels were, however, within thirty yards of each other. Thus for twenty minutes did the frail Hatteras lie exposed to the tremendous pounding of the formidable buccaneer. Soon after the commencement of the action the Hatteras was set on fire by exploding shells. The fire rapidly worked aft to the magazine, which was composed of light pine planks above the water-line. The men at the magazine remained at their post as long as powder could be passed up without explod

Commander Blake immediately got under way, and soon ascertained that the strange sail was a steamer, which fact he signaled to the flag-ship. The strange steamer was then under canvas, and floated from her peak appar-ing. ently the English red ensign. Lieutenant Every broadside from the Alabama hurled Blake pressed the chase until sunset, when the stranger furled her sails and came to, taking such a position as to give a full view of her spars and of a small portion of her hull. It was now nearly seven o'clock, and quite dark. had, however, become evident to nearly all on board the Hatteras that the fancied blockadeVOL. XXXIII.—No. 196.-II H

It

upon the Hatteras four hundred and eighty pounds of iron, while at the same time one hundred and thirty-six riflemen were sweeping its decks with unerring bullets. Still not a man flinched. The flames were now rushing up the hatchways; there were but two inches of pine between the fire and the magazine.

A sixth and

Strange as it may seem none were killed on the Alabama, and but one wounded. On board the Hatteras two were killed and five wounded. The men, as they were taken on board the Ala

During these terrible moments when the ship | exploded. A fifth shot passed through our midship boat, was on fire, and shells were tearing through and, striking the smoke-stack, passed through and through, her sides and exploding with awful destruc- scattering iron splinters around like hail. last struck the muzzle of the after broadside gun." tion, when the engine was destroyed, and the engine-room and deck enveloped with scalding steam, the steward of the ship, a colored man, performed an act of calm and deliberate heroism which should place his name very high upon the roll of honor. Under the passage-bama, were put in irons; the officers paroled. way there was stored a large quantity of small- The rebel steamer, which, as we have before arms and ammunition. As shell after shell ex-said, was English in build, armament, and crew, ploded, setting the light material on fire, the room became very hot and filled with smoke. The order had been given to "drown the mag

azine."

now made for an English port. The vessel had been so roughly handled that it was nine days before she reached Kingston, in Jamaica. Never before did men look so earnestly for the appearance of one of our vessels of war. At Kingston the Alabama remained thirteen days for repairs. Those repairs cost in gold eighty

The steward remained unflinchingly at his post, dashing water upon the ammunition, until the close of the action. When asked if he did not find his position rather warm and dan-five thousand dollars, signal proof of the herogerous, he replied:

"Yes; but I knew that if the fire got to the powder them gentlemen on deck would get a grand hoist."

Another negro, the Captain states, got a musket, and through the entire action there could be heard its regular discharge. Every broadside the Hatteras received was returned with a cheer, and with an immediate response with our own feeble guns. Every man seemed inspired with the same firm resolve which animated the soul of Commander Blake.

ism with which the Hatteras had fought. Captain Blake writes indignantly, "During this time John Bull's minions had the pleasure of insulting men who, if they ever have the pleasure of meeting them on the ocean, will remind them that the insults are remembered."

The following correspondence, which is highly honorable to both parties, explains itself:

“January 24, 1863.

To the Commander of H. B. M. ship Greyhound:

"Lieutenant-Commander H. C. Blake, of the United States Navy, presents his compliments to the Commander of H. B. M. ship Greyhound, and desires to learn whether the band of the Greyhound, upon the arrival of the Conor not he may consider the playing of Dixie's Land' by federate steamer Alabama, on the evening of the 21st instant, as a mark of disrespect to the United States Government, or its officers who were prisoners on board the Alabama at the period indicated. Lieutenant-Commander H. C. Blake respectfully requests an early response. "United States Consulate, Jamaica."

So many shot and shells had entered the Hatteras at the water-line, peeling off the thin plating of iron, that the vessel was now rapidly sinking. The forward part was under water; the fire raging below; flames bursting up through the hatches, and every moment it was expected that the fire would reach the magazine; still not a man left his gun. All To this note an answer was returned which were willing to go down or up rather than strike our flag or allow it to fall into rebel hands. It greatly honors the commander of the Greywas only at this time, when not a gun could be hound. Had all the English officials manifestbrought to bear, that Commander Blake, feel-ed the same spirit, friendship instead of the biting that he had no right to sacrifice uselessly ter animosity would now have existed between the lives of all under his command, reluctantly these two great nations: gave the order to fire a lee-gun in token of surrender. As the ship was rapidly sinking the port-guns were thrown overboard.

With the aid of the boats of the two vessels the surviving crew were all safely conveyed on board the Alabama, and in ten minutes the Hatteras went down, bow first, with her pennant still flying at the mast-head. All her armament and stores sank into the ocean's depths with her, and the rebels gained but a fruitless victory. In the rebel account of this conflict we find the following description of the injuries inflicted upon the Alabama :

"We had one shot through the stern, passing through the lamp-room, smashing every thing to pieces; one shell a few feet abaft the foremast, passing through the bulwarks, ripping up the deck, and lodging in the port without exploding. In truth, had it exploded I would hardly

have written you this. A second shell struck a few feet

forward of the bridge, and tore up the deck. A third and fourth in the main rigging, one striking a chain-plate and doubling it; both entered the coal-bunkers, but only one

"Commander Hickley, R. N., presents his compliments to Lieutenant-Commander Blake, U.S.N., and has to acquaint him that on the evening in question he was on board the A-, dining with Captain Crocroft. Shortly after the time of the officer of the guard reporting the Alabama's arrival he heard the drums and fife of H. M. S. Greyhound playing, among other tunes, the tune of Dixing other national tunes to be played, among which was ie's Land;' that he immediately repaired on board, caus

the United States national air; and severely reprimanded the inconsiderate young officer who had ordered 'Dixie's Land' to be played, calling for his reasons, and writing and forwarding them forthwith, with his report to Commodore Hugh Dunlop, C.B., who severely reprimanded the officer.

"As the officer in question had no idea that any U.S. officer or man was on board the Alabama, it must be evident to Lieutenant-Commander Blake that no insult was intended.

"II. M. S. Greyhound, Port Royal, Jamaica, January 24, 1863.

After much delay a vessel was chartered, which transported the officers and men of the Hatteras to Key West. Thence by steamer they were conveyed to New York. We have

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