Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1863-02-04

"A correspondent OF tho Telegraph, under
date OF Galveston, Jan. Goth, gives the fol-
lowing description of tho material which
We now have at that place to assist in its
defence should it be again attacked:
"The Cunboats and iron-clad rams are
still lying ut the whGrycs or in close proS-
imity aud one would be loac 10 believe
from casual inspection, that these peace
able looking femnincs of the deep, had
within their wombs, and upon their iron
laden decks, the latest and most improved
weapons of destruction. The iron ram
"Retribution," venture to say, although
assuming no professional knowledge in
such matters, las no superior, i'll and upon
any waters now nayigated, both in point OF
strength and the ease and facility with
which she can DC managed. The chief mer-
il which these vessels possess, independent
of their great strength, is their lighIness
Of draft and great speed. The great diff
Guilty heretofore, which had to be encoun-
tered in the construction OF rams, was in
controlling their direction, this has been
most fully overcome in these boats by the
application of certain scientific principles,
which am not at liberty, even il possess
ed the knowledge, 10 make public. The
armament upon all three OF our rams, are
of the heaviest oalibre and OF the longest
range. The breech-loading ritled canh0ns
which constitute " portion OF the arms OF
oi'ense and defense upon these rams, can
throw ball nearly four miles with the
certainty and precision of rifle. The most
peculiar and remarkable weapon is the
,,tsitb to how
attachmcnt.-Upon the ram striking any
object, this instrument connected as 1t Is
with the propelling motion strikes with the
greatest velocity and power crushing and
destroying every obstacle ii comes IN con-
tact with. understand so successful have
they deemed this new war-like appliance,
that the other two iron rams, "AYenger'
and 63 are to be supplied at once with sim
liar ones. We have added since the dawn
ing Of the new year, one Wal steamer ana
two additional gunboats to the number we
/ had at the time Of the recapture OF Calves
ton. The Yankees having had the gener
osity to supply us with this additional num-
Der.
The gunboats which have previously
mentioned as forming part Of our ncreas-
cd fleet, have been converted into such from
the barks we captured. | cannot safely
speak of "thngs beneath the waters" but
rest assured that my attempt upon the
part of ''old Abe S truce boats, lor his val
ilnt navy now fight and run under the
"whte hag," to enter our harbor will make
them the most unwilling witnesses to the
most wonderful phenomena, that has ever
occurred in any age, and may possibly send
the keeIs Of their crafts in pursuit Of their
decks in a manner never contemplated by
their builders. Our batteries have been
enlarged, improved and greatly secured.
Our fleet floats drcamily upon the tide, but
ready at any moment to gr0wl forth an
angry defiance. Our soldiers confident in
the skill, Judgment and courage Of our COM
manding General and the officers under
him, regard the enemy outside the bar with
speculative eye, calculating the number
of good coats aboard. and variety of grub,
and the time Of division. J. have never no.
ticed to SO great an extent, the feeling OF
security, which an implicit confidence IN
General can give, till within the period of
cur occupation Of this city. While the "O,d
Gencra!i' Il of course use the prefix to the
General as descriptive of his military =
perienco, and not 10 lho lligAt vi time,) .s
"bobbin around everybody feels rs if he
was thoroughly casemated and possessed
gunboat in his own right. am salts
/ fed that the enemy in measure are aware
Of the nature of the reception which they
would receive if they concluded to visit the
inner harbor, and think that they do not
feel particularly safe even at the respecia-
BILE distance they now occupy. Com. Bell
has issued, as am credi5ly informed, a
/ special order to the commanders of the YES
sells comprising his fleet, to have placed in
prominent and visible part of every YES
sci, notice to the Texans, to the following
effect and tenor, viz; "Boarders not receiv-
ed here Mai. Leon Smith, Tom Green
and his marine cavalry will take due notice
and govern themselves accordingly"