The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-01-23
The Surrender al Galveston.
FILL! PARTICULARS OF THE REBEL
ATTACK.

New YORK, Jan. 1.-THE following
particulars OF the late attack ON Galveston,
have not heretofore been published:
On the night of the 3lst of December, q
reconnaissance was made by Capt. Shreeve,
with twenty-five men, which resulted in
the discovery of q large force of rebel cav
airy in the western part of the city. 1t will
be borne in mind that detachment of the
42d Massachusetts Regiment, which occu-
pied Galveston, were stationed on a wharf
at the end of the tOwn--that is, the point
nearest the bar Capt. Shreeve at once
posted his discovery to Col. Blrrill by a
messenger, when two platoons of twenty
men each, under Captains Proctor and
Savage, were sent out. 1t was reported
soon after that Capt Shreeve had been
captured, but the platoons sent out met
him and his command falling back in good
order
About this time, the Harriet Lane sent
up signals which announced, first, that the
enemy were approaching by water; sec
Ondly, that the enemy were approaching
by land.
Col Burrill, being notified of these sig
mails, Immediately turned out his battalion,
which, all told, numbered less than 800
men under arms, and constructed barri-
cades of barrels, hogsheads, boards, and
whatever else he could find, across the
wharf, and tore up the planks, leaving only
one narrow passage for the retreat of his
pickets.
Word was soon sent in that the enemy,
in large numbers, were crossing the bridge,
and that they had already taken possession
of the rear of the town in strong force.
During the day the rebels brought light
pieces of artillery, concealed in loads of
hay, and fixed them in warehouses about
when the Harriet Lane was fairly engaged,
opened fire with these pieces upon the
Union forces.
The rebels planted these guns for the
purpose of obtaining enfilading range on
our men, but Il skilltul change of position
and barbados defeated this design.
Our soldiers fought bravely, and for
four hours refused to yield TO overpower-
ing force. The enemy We're fairly re-
pulsed twice, Notwithstanding his artil-
lery, while our troops had none, and not
AiC CCll W OQI Olt.
The full light of day came before the
fight between the rebels and our handful of
soldiers was at an end. The little band
was standing up against all odds when it
was discovered that a white flag was float
ing from the Harriet Lane. The meaning
of it was not at first understood, the Colo
mel being ignorant that the Harriet Lane
was IN the enemy's possession.
Soon after the white flag was displayed
on the gunboat. Colonel Burrill dispatched
Adjutant Davis to ascertain the state of
affairs and consult as to the course to be
pursued.
Adjutant Davis proceeded in small
boat and having completed his business,
was about to return, when he discovered
the Union troops on the wharf were march
ing off.
He saw them go to the street, where
they were at once surrounded by rebel SOL
diers and by citizens. They had, in fact,
surrendered. The Adjutant, of course,
did not return.
The rebels, in addition to their prison
ers, captured 10000 rife cartridges and
10000 picks and shovels.
The loss of the Union land force was
quite small, probably not more than I
killed and 20 wounded.