Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-10-28
ne oeeapallon Of eaIres.en.

The telegraph brings the news of the
occupation Of Galveston, Texas, by the
Federal forces, on the 9th inst. This is an
important move. Galveston has been the
most populOus and commercial city Of
Texas. It is situated on an island at the
mouth of bay Of its own name, about 45O
miles west Of south Of New Orleans, and
$50 miles southeast Of Austin, the capital
Of the State. The island which separates
the bay from the Gulf of Mexico much as
Long Island separates Long Island Sound
from the Atlantic Ocean is about thirty
miles long from east to west and about
mile and half wide A railroad bridge,
about two miles long, connects Galveston
with the main land. After Secessia had
taken possession of the State, the import
anee Of defending Galveston was attended
to at once. Batteries were placed at the
east end Of the island, at Bolivar Point,
and at Pelican Spit Island, which also lies
between the Bay and the Gulf Ii 1850
the population Of Galveston was 4,I77, and
1907 in 1880, showing an increase of
74.9s per cent. The commerce of the city
was Of large amount, until the blockade,
when 1t ceased entirely.
On the Sd Of August, 1861, the blockad-
ing schooner Dart opened fire upon the
batteries at Galveston Island, as a sort of
reconnaissance. Again, on the 9th, the
steamer North Carolina opened fire, and
threw a few shells into the city, one of
which fell among group collected on one
Of the sand-hills about the town, killing
one man and wounding three others. This
led to protest by the foreign ccnsuls Of
the place, who characterized the firing as
inhuman and " unreeognized in modern
warfare" Captain Alden, Of the North
Carolina, replied, stating the circumstan-
ees under which he had fired into the town,
setting forth the fact that the batteries had
first opened fire upon him, to which of
course he replied The concluding para
graph Of Captain Alden's letter was as
follows:
ain conclusion, let me add that no one
can regret the ipjury done to unofending
citizens more lnan do. Still, find no
complaint Of any acts Of the 9th inst, COM
ing from military or civil authorities Of
Galveston, and, with due Difference to your
consideration and humanity, I must re-
spectfully remark that it is the first time
! have ever heard that the women and
children, and unarmed citizens of an Amer
lean town, were under the protection Of
foreign consuls.
".Yours, &c JAMES ALDEN"
Here ended this difficulty. On the Both
Of November, 1861, consultation of the
eitiEens was held, and it was decided that
twas useless to try and defend the place.
Accordingly an order was issued for the
removal Of the hospital stores to Houston,
which was Immediately done No further
attack was made, however, during the
year, and there has been no special occur
rences Of interest there since until the ex-
pedihOn which was lately sent against the
place, and which has proved successful.
There are many Union men in Texas
who have however, been overpowered by
the rebels, who have instituted complete
reign Of terror and barbarism in tie
State. It is hoped that now fOOthold has
been made, a sufficient force will be sent
there to redeem the State and release the
suffering and prosecuted Unionists.