Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-01-19
onr HourEI Defense bY our Forces
The Fight Continued all Night.
Small Loss OF Union Forces.
DETAILS FROM SPRINGFIELD,
TIE ATTACK ON GALVESTON.

.rl1 NEW YoRK, Jan. II.
The following particulars Of the land
attack on Galveston have not been pub
Iisbed before.
On. the night Of December 31st recon
noisance was made by Captain Shreeve,
with 25 men, which resulted in the discov-
cry Of large rebel cavalry force in the
western part Of the city. 1t will be borne
in mind that q detachment Of the AID
Massachusetts regiment, which occupied
Galveston, were stationed on a wharf in
the eastern end Of the town, that is the
point nearest the bar. Captain ShreeVe
at once posted his discovery to Colonel
Burrill by messen ger, when two piateons
Of 20 men each, under Captains Proctor and
Savage, were sent out.
It was reported soon after that Captain
Shreeve had been captured, but the pla-
toons sent ont met his command falling
back in good order.
About this time the Harriet Lane sent up
a signal which announced hrsti the enemy
approaching BY water, second, the enemy
approaching by land Colonel Burrill be-
ing notified of these signals Immediately
turned out his battalion, which, all told,
numbered less than 800 men under arms,
and constructed bsrricades of barrels, hogs
heads, boards, and whatever else he could
find, across the wharf, and tore upplanks,
leaving only narrow passage for the re-
treat Of his pickets. Word was soon sent
in that the enemy in large numbers were
crossing the bridge, and 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 q warehouse about
quarter Of a mile from the wharf, and
when the Harriet Lane fairly engaged,
opened fire with these pieces upon the
Union forces.
The rebels planted these guns for the
purpose of obtaining enflading range on
our men, but skillful change Of position
and barricades defeated the design. Our
soldiers fought bravely, and for four hours
refused to yield TO the overpowering force.
The enemy was fairly repulsed twice, not
withstanding ghisartillery, while our troops
had none, and Notwithstanding he had ten
to our one, the full light of day came be-
fore 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 white
flag was floating from the Harriet Lane.
The meaning Of it was not understood,
the Colonel being ignorant that the Har-
riet Lane was in the enemy's possession.
Soon after the white flag was displayed on
the gunbost 0waseO.
Colonel Burrill dispatched Davis TO as
certain the state Of sffairs 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
that the Union troops on wharf were
marching off. He saw them 60 to the street,
where they were at once surrounded by
rebel soldiers aud by citizens. They had
in fact surrendered. The adjutant did not
return. The rebels, in addition to their
prisoners, captured 80, 600 rife cartridges,
! 5000 picks and 500 shoVels.
The loss of the Union land force was
quite smsll-probRbly not more than four
killed and twenty wounded.
The bark Morning Star orr1ved from St.
Jago She was fred into and overhauled
by the British gunbOat Plover-