The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1861-08-21
At4ennt 10 Rn1nhard Galveston.


pilot boat Royal Yacht went out to meet her, ana re-
ceived from her some seventeen bags or newspapers
and three four bags of letters which were takenaoout
the commencement of the blockade The papers are
of worthless, and most OF the letters had oeeh
opened. Among the unopened letters we noCeea sew
era having specie in them and others that had the ap
pearanee Of having valuable contents 1t would seem
by this that appropatng private funds was not Capt
Alden's purpose IN opening the mails
We were surprised find that much larger proper
ton Of letters directed ladies were opened than o.
those directed to gentlemen. There were but few oil
the letters for this city, from which we conclude tha'
Capt. Alden found convenient to keep most of the
letters to persons in this city. We understand the
bockaders have received information OF the battle OF
Bulls run and Manassas.
The News has long account of two engagements,
on the Sd inst between the bIockadng force and the
batteries on shore.
1t appears that at half past eight o'clock in the morn
ing the schooner Dart of the boekadng mosquito
feet, within range of Of the shore batteries,
although the blockaders had been previously warned
that they would be fired on if they came within range
The batteries were quickly manned and fire opened on
the schooner The batteries fred six shots and the Dart
fve~nobody hurtand the schooner, soon as possible,
got out of range
The skirmish created considerable excitement in the
city, and the question was asked what would captain
Alden commanding the blockading steamship South
Carolina1 DO, that the Dart had been fired on?
South Carolina, with OF her armed prizes IN tow,
audfoowed by the Dart left her usual station oil Bolivar
PENINSULA east OF the city between and4 Oceck and
came down the isand sone Or miles oil shore, to
point opposite the extreme end OF the city, There
she turned dropping the vessel in tow, which remained
there's and the propeller up towards the bar, to
nearly opposite the two beach batteries, in charge OF
Capt Schneider's Turner Rifles, from Houston.
In the meantime our steamer, the Gen. Rusk, Capt
Leon Smith, being armed.and Manned got up steam
and moved towards the bar-perhl Fps to run out and
catch one OF of the mosquito fleet, should the
steamer give her chance perhaps simply to keep
sharp look out
This move attracted the propelera notice, and for
while she seemed disposed TO wait for the Rusk; but
presently she wheeled to the west, moved down short
distance turned her Prov eastward and coming IN to
about two miles from the shore, moved slowly and
steadily towards our batteries.
Col Moore had speedily repaired 10 the batteries he
was accompanied by several volunteers, Capt. Andrew
Neil OF Galveston Guards b. Lieut., Mason OF Calves
ton Rifles; Mr. Hamilton and AIR. Cave, of The Civilian
who promptly offered his services aid decanp, and
they were at once accepted.
Col Moore, while experimenting both batteries, took
personal charge OF gun No. in the fremont street bat
terry and Aessrs Ne, Mason and Hamilton assisted in
working it. The second piece III this battery in
charge Of ordinance sergeant &. Il Schneider Lieut..
Wirich in command OF the men. In the second battery
which is about 400 yards the east OF the other Lieut.
ROLSASbSlSdDu sergeant ISEuNDW iaO ChdiBC Ut the
two big black S1-pouuders. Capt Schneider, who was
officer in the Prussan service and is a strict dsci
plinarian well cool and active commander, as
sisted Cot. Moore in his general duties.
The Dart sailing down in front of the batteries,
doubtless to draw her ire, but this of avail The
steamer had now come almost TO a sandstlll She-Ras
within range aud seemed to dare attack She had not
long to wait. Col. Moore sighed No l at her. and in
after the white smoke above the breast
works aud the laundering report that shook the earth
and filed the air announced that the contest had begun.
All ewes now turned to the steamer. In a minute, a
puff Of white smoke issued from her PROV as che still
continued to move slowly On; the heavy report rang
out; and then the sharp hum of Il she'll distinctly
heard.
Again again and again this Slow Interchange of shots
took place. the intervals pretty regular between each
Our fist shots were delivered steadily and evidently
with care; they we're IN line and went nearer the pro-
pelier each me and one struck near her, amidshp3
that from various parts of the city, far distant from each
other as we have since learned the remark was stimuli
taneoGs ''That hit herm
Capt Alden now began, however--mueh to our min
ged astoHishmcut aud ndiguation-to fire shells over
the city He had endeavored to entlade the guns in
Ea batteries, HHt uls g-HugTs HLE- 90 FIT t-ssH- the
Sand bags OF c raer around SUD aear .acH III, doaH
sss t.gH 5eth9ssa hHu laat as DE Gtl succeeded SO
sell Ia uaeai1E ladies. .zteHs, De world bee rs tIl-
gmHhanl Ig .lEa-suiuE tuuriag oGF waafu saa
children. asr has ltusne ia.aaau7 ,cF zas assl.z5g
severql large sses skrla,ed high sl- erieaea
asirE ae.- saa9r er One piece ,as-
Fl .spreatgl IF, 8 eG Ei. hs.s.srtstds i.les
an Broadway. i-aeH. through laa pantry HsE5 Il die
k,-aea.sH6 through t.a aata7 q.sH wall iaty the ward
We beard OF d tiaae falling st45a side 81 the public
z4ara penetrating thu ra0E and Hucr af Fir j. UsEa-
porgco; entire Ouuo at Lii. Close foundry, It
piece going te fret ward ket and one shell bury
ing itself Smyhs garden, but none fortunately
NV zOFg 4ad
We shown 52-pound ball that was said to have
been picked up in the street Broadway and Ire
mont We have been informed also, that some of the
shells found uuexp0ded; buf cannot hear that
any OF the gallant Alden came nearer than the
further part OF MIR. Leagues hotel lot on fremont
street. south of the bayou, about half mile from
the gulf This is considered by many, the range of
the propelers guns from her nearest safe approach to
the shore, opposite the beach batteries.
The British eonsurs residence is near Mr.. Leagues
and his flag flying, it has been for month at an
elevation that 1t easily be at great distance
Another consular flag up, further in the city north
east of Mr. Leagues but the hostile shell paid no atten
ton to them. OF course, man who would fire at wo-
and children would but little for other obser
vauces of civilised warfare.
\ large number of people having collected on and
near the sand hills, little to the eastward Of the bat
terics crafty their curiosity shell fell among them
directed for the purpose cutting one man in
two and carving away most OF his body between the
shoulders and hips and exploding about the same time
Some two or three others slightly wounded with
the pieces, one Of whom IS son of Mr. Menard our
worthy deputy collector The name of the man killed
was Frank sylvia, Italian or Portuguese whose occu-
patton, understand was selling fruits &c The re-
maindcr OF bis body was buried the same evening
This we believe was al the harm that was done bv
the first attempt to lombard city The firing con
tinued about half an hour Some of the shells meas
ured ten inches IN diameter, aud must have been
thrown by 68pounder said to be the steamers pivot
gun.
During this cannon dueilo the houses of our city
were crowded with people looking at the spectacle,
which in full view from Of our larger build
iugs, and from many of the upper branches. Many
who could not there get view, went to the beach or
near there their curiosity oyerpowerng their sense of
the danger.
During the firing the city rang with the shouts of the
people from the roofs and balconies at every discharge
from the batteries and the ladies participated in
the enthusiasm of the excitement manifesting the ut
anxiety to shotsrke the steamer and sink
her The general indgnationa the outrageous attempt
to bombard the city without giving notice and without
Just provocation equally endaRgering thelves OF women
children and servants, great that it seemed to
the sense of danger among our females
Some twelve or fourteen shots were exchanged be-
tween the shore and the steamer She then moved out
70 sea, firing last shell, and our guns replied num-
Der Of careful ookeFson report that with their glasses
hey distinctly boat, or something like it, lowered
1ver her side she turned away and this it is thought