1 January 1863. 3:00 am on New Years Day, two Confederate Cottonclad gunboats appeared, coming down the bay toward Galveston.Out numbered 6 to 2 in ships. The Confederates were soon down to 1 ship. The single ship was able to capture 1 and force another into shallow water .Soon afterward, the Confederates commenced a land attack with 3 regeaments and 10 canon. The Union forces in Galveston were three companies of the 42nd Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment under the command of Colonel Isaac S. Burrell. The Confederates captured or killed all of them except for the regiments adjutant. They also took USS Harriet Lane, by boarding her, and two barks and a schooner. Commander W.B. Renshaws flagship, U.S.S. Westfield, ran aground when trying to help Harriet Lane and, at 10:00 am, she was blown up to prevent her capture by the Confederates.Galveston was in Confederate hands again although the Union blockade would limit commerce in and out of the harbor.It never fell into the Union control again.
Posted on: Fri, 02 Jan 2015 02:40:05 +0000
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