The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-12-31
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GAlyRsrax ner = 1871

GALvRsroN, Dec. :, 1861.
Having but moment OF leisure 1 have
uninteresting to You, though l must con
fess, the thermometer at an almost unyaryinr
height since Septem Der exeites some fear oi
reaching respec BILE length of epistle.
Tou scarcely find o9t many occurrences
from point rs distant as this especially 81
Isolated by the crazisst mail arrangema nj
tnat the world ever saw. Il hesitate to ven
ture On nows by mail ring lest battles mi 9 hi
be fought, victories won, and our own ar
mics snngly quartared in New York and Bos.
ION ere this reaches you.
Texas, ven ka ", is now, in territory. the
Empire State of the oonfederaey. and having
IN her Legislature, within ;ns last few DAYS
reseiude3 the law by which she granted So
much OF her North ami Northeas, to the cid
Union, she VIII soon assume the proportions
OF one OF the divisions of the earth
From the Saeiae TO the Rio Gsande the crors
were never so abnadsnt; and saanse 10 tell
though for five years past the corn has b.en
alInos: a failure, this year IL is almost .oo
large 10 be gathered, and but for the III n;
entity of transportation, she could furrish
vast supplies Tor cur armies. The cattop
crop is a good one-iot from the iuxurtan .
of The plant. as II shows the ravsges OF III.
woTm-but because they have the most de.
lightful weather IN which To save it, nut so
long IS the blockade continues it Yields ,he
planter nothing, and though il is their cine,
wealth they would rather burn it than
send bale OF 1t away, or suffer il to fall into
Yankee hands. Il small party has been aux
ious 10 send come owe land to Mexico and
ship from Tam pico to kr gland, professedly
ou' SOUND ana aiihos' UNIVERSAL sentiment is
against 1t. for it is well known there are
scue Taekees here yet, who are willing AZ
any hazard TO enrich themselves if NOT ad
vantage the North.
Within a few days he Governor has pro.
hibi;ea the storing Of cotton or removal from,
the plantations.
| have never seen such lovely weather.
The doors aud windows have hardly been
closed this winter. and there has not heen n
OF fire.
The Governor has within the last weel,
called out the militia. The State, though
late wasing up, viii contribute her share 10
this war. Every nan is noun ted or armed
after 4 fashion. The very children ha, e
caught martial spirit, and dash over the
gT2iSltS NEST wildly on their mustangs.
mpanlcs, b9tt3iions, and regiments of cav
airy, artillery, aud Infantry are forming and
concentrating in various portions of tbs
Stats. Among these forces must mention a
mounted regiment ct Texas Lancer the on iy
one IN the tnntsceracy. under the comrnan d
Of Gel. Ct. W. Carter, formerly OF your STATE.
but President OF Soute Univ versitv, of this
State. 1t is most for II i'd Bile BODY of men
armed with lances, sh guns and reyoIyers
ana many OF them incredibly expert in their
use
Much excitement prevails at this particu-
lar POINT as TO what the LII ncolui tes purpose
here, The Santee. the biockading vessel is
iylng oHabOut i've miles, and there are re.
por's CT transports in the vicinity. 1 had a
distinct view OF :hree other vessels last eve
ming IN my ride along the beach, but thought
one at tesSt was small schooner capJu red
some time since. Gen. Heberat, a most ac-
complished officer, is indefatigebIe in having
everything prepared Tor their reception 7 he
citizens are leaving and shipping everything
Of value into the III terror.
Our forces are occupying positions at each
END Of the railroad bridge, leading from the
island, to Virgins point on the main land,
and can boast u fortAhcaaons as beautiful
and ioTmI d;oIe as any OF the same extent in
the C0nteGeracY. II lie enemy ATTEMPTS TO
land on the island thsy win be met by our
forces, and G2iV@ @Ston island will take rank III
history witt AGnassas and other fields for
fierce and successflil fighting. If they at.
tempt 70 bring their vessels in to the bay they
will meet with difficulties they little expect
1Aere Is an unpublished prescription for such
presumption.
Galveston Island is 80 miles long The city
has about Il, ,001 inhabitants and the hand.
soonest town IN Texas. There are six news.
papers published here; ten churches, and
several large hotels. The private houses are
mostly OF wood and painted white The
streets are wide, straight and RECTANGULAR bor-
deIed By Hover gardens. If we except the
Strand, on many Of the streets The outer edge
oi me sldeWaIss are bordered by beautiful
'ges of oleander.
There is L railroad from this place to
houston, and steamboats, making regular
'Fips to the In terrier. There is no danger of
iAfasioA HtIe. Inc enemy CaE't MAKE the
irip by land or water One ompany of ran
gers, by their peculiar mode of fighting,
c5uld demolish regiment Of Yankees in a
march of one hundred miles. I have no
doubt II they attempted to come. five or six
hundred cow boys, with an aptness peculia
10 their profession, could stampede a thou
sand head of cattle over them. l regard the
cattle alone aaiurdt defence OF the State
| wish l could send you the fruits of our
second crop OF vegetables, cabbage, beans,
tom atoes, and potatoes 1t Is too warm to
wlits. l may add something al an early day
SRyRx.