Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-08-15
ATTEMPT or THE BLOCRADING
VESSELS TO SHELL GALVESTON.


Galveston papers Of Tuesday, 9th, advise US
Of two attempts on the part of the blockading
ieet on that station to shell the city-the first
by the schooner Dart, on Saturday, %, doing
no damage; the second by the steamer South
Carolina, on Monday, 5th, which resulted in
the killing of one man, the wounding of two
CT three slightly, and the damaging Of several
dwellings. From the Nel0s' account of the
bombardment we extract the following.
After par.icul5rizinS the mansuvere Of the
vessels and their getting in position, and the
position and manning of the Confederate bat
teres, and the eagerness Of those in charge for
the fight to commence, the Ee,cs proceeds:
The Dart came sailing down in front Of the
batteries, doubtless to draw their fire, but this
was Of no avail. The steamer had now come
almost to a staud-stiil. She was within range,
and seemed to dare attack. She had pot long
to wait. Col Moore sighted No. ] at her, and
! in a moment after the white smoke rose above
the bresstworks. a4d the laundering report that
shook the earth and filed the air, announced
that the contest had begun.
All eyes nov turned to the steamer. In
/ minute puff OF wh'e smoke issued from her
! Prov, as she still continued 20 move slowly on;
| the heavy report rang out, and then the sharp
/ hum Of a shell was distinctly heard.
! Again, again and again this slow inter-
change Of shots took place, The intervals pTet-
/ ~ regular between each. Our fret shots were
/ delivered steadily, and evidently With care !;
! they were in line and went nearer the propsi-
! Ter each time. and one struck so near her,
amidships, that from various parts Of the city,
/ far distant from each other. q we have since
1 learned, the remark was Simultaneous: "Ilat
! hit herl-'
Capt. Alden now began, however-much to
our mingled as,onishment ami indignation-to
/ fire SHELLS over the city. He had endeavOred
| TO eR6ade the guls in the batteries, blt his
gunBers failed 20 hit either the sand bags or
the men around and near them. He doubtless
J then bethought him that, as be had succeeded
so well in opening ladies' letters, he would be
as triumphant in frightening or ipluring some
Of our women and children. May his name be
infamous for the dastarGly deed.
Several large shells exploded high in the air,
the pieces flying in all directions, far and
near. One piece travcTseI the rCoS Of Mr..
| Tankersley's house, one square in the rear Of
| Mr.. Browns aad Gen. Nichols residence, on
Broadway. It went through the pantry, next
to The kitchen, and through The outer plank
wall into the yard. We heard of piece fall
ing at the south side of the public square,
penetrating the roof and ll0er Of Mr.. J. Dyke
mans portico; aud an entire bomb at Mr..
! Blose's fouHeerv, and piece going to the First
ward market, and one she'll bu-yiHg ITSELF
near Snyth's garden, but none, fortunately,
/ hitting any one, though some narrow escapes
were had. We were shown q 32-pound ball
that was said to have been picked mp in the
street, near Broadway and fremont. We
have been informed, also, tba. some Of tie
/ shells were found unexploded: but we cannot
/ hear that any Of the gallant Alden's missiles
came nearer than the further part of Mr..
Leagues new hotel lot, on fremont street,
south OF the bayou, or about half mile from
the gulf. This is is considered BY many as the
range OF The proPeIer's guns, from her nearest
approach to the shore, opposite the beach
batteries.
The Ne,0s states that two consular fags-one
the Britisb-were flying, but were not respect
ed By Capt. Alden. The Nsgs continues:
a large number of people having collected
on and near the san l-his, iitJls to the east
ward OF the batteries, TO crafty their cuTios
ity. shell fell among them, apparently direct
Cd for that purpose, cutting one man in two,
and carrying away most of biz body between
the shoulders and hips, and exploding about
the same time. Some two or three others were
slightly wounded with the pieces.
ThIs, We believe, was III The harm that was
done By this first attempt to lombard our city.
Toe firing continued about half an hour Some
of the shells measured ten inches in diane sr,
aud must have been thrown BY a siXty-eight
FOUNDER, said to be The steamers pivot gun.
During the firing the city rang with the
shouts OF the people from the roofs and balcO-
MES at every discharge from the batteries, and
even the ladies' participated in the enthusiasm
Of the excitement, manifestiRg the utmost sny-
iety 10 see our shot strike the steamer and sink
her.
Some twelve OF fourteen shots were eX-
changed between he shore ard the steamer.
She tlen moved out to sea, firing a last shell,
and our guns replied. number Of careful
lookers-On report that, with their glasses, they
distinctly saw boat, or something like it,
10 yeTed over her side as she turned away, and
tbis, az is thought, 10 plug OF examine shot
hole in her side. Il is also thought that her
pivot gun was capsizsd, from being raised at
too great an angle, as large number Of men
and officers were seen bending over it, as they
were on Sunday.
The Dart bad soon got out OF range and fol-
lowed the steamer, which speedily resumed
her old position east Of the bar and off Bolivar
peninsula. There she has remained up to The
time of writing-Monday afternoon.
Good Judges think that Capt. Alden made
bis beat effort On this occasion, to show bis
power to iniurs' our city. There are many Of
81 opposite opinion, however.