American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1851-1863, 1863-01-30
VOL. XIII.

in the bay on the land ward side of the island
Colonel DeBsay commanded the attacking
force. hile General ScuTry was in the com
mand OF the reserves.
From the bridge they moved down to the
city, but met with unexpected delays and did
not reach their position until after four
clock. In the meantime the boats had
Withdrawn to Half Moon shoals twelve miles
distant, and awaited signal 1t about FIVE
O'Clock, fGen. Magrnder says three, and a
spectator says four, but we timed it by tele-
graph and exact; it was eight m nutcs
before five, Houston time, all things on shore
being in readiness, the ball opened, General
Magruder firing the first gun. The boats ut
once put on steam and hurried to the scene.
They must have been hour or two on the
war, during which time the artillery duel
between the ships and the batteries was one
of the most terrific on record Darkness shut
out everything but the fash of the guns. The
scene was at once sublime and appalling.-
Our men were once driven from their guns,
but rallied and fought bravely on. As dawn
approached the fire of the enemy appeared to
increase in severity and fearing that our men
would be unable to withstand it after day
light gave the enemy better view of our
position, orders were prepared to withdraw.
Just as they were about to be issued, howey-
er, at about six o'clock, the welcome an
nouncement was made at headquarters that
the Bayou City and Neptune had arrived and
opened on the Harriet Lane. Instantly new
vigor was infused in our men, they piled their
pieces with redoubled energy, and seemed
determined that the victory should be ours
The gunboats paid their first attention to
the Harriet Lane, the Bayou City leading the
attack. The Neptune being much the weak
er. soon received such injuries ms to disable
her. The Bayou City, however, gallanfly
continued the fight, and running aboard the
Harriet Lane, swept her decks by boarding,
and took possession of the ship. Capt.
Wainwright AID his lieutenants having been
killed, the ship was surrendered by the
masters mate.
The Westieid now started off apparently
disabled, and made her way over to Bolivar
channel, between Pelican Spit and Bolivar
Point. Here she was subsequently destroy
ed by the enemy, during truce. The pro-
peIler Owasso lay in the channel about three
fourths of mile from the Bayou City and
Harriet Lame. As the Lane was boarded, the
Owasso steamed up to within two or three
hundred yards of them, firing into both
The force of the collision drove the Bayou
City's stem so far into and under the wheel
and gunwale of the Lane that she could not
be got out. The Lane was also so careened
that her guns could not be worked, and were
consequently useless. They both lay there
fore at the mercy of the Owasso. Herculcan
efforts were made to extricate them. The
Owasso, evidently fearing the Lanes guns,
withdrew to "a position about a mile distant.
It became plainly evident that unless the
Bayou City and the Harriet Lane could be
separated, the enemy could escape if they
wished. To gain time, therefore, flag of
truce was taken to the Owasso and Clifton,
now lying close together, and demand for a
surrender. Time was asked to communicate
with Commodore Renshaw, who was in the
Westfield. A truce of three hours was
agreed upon. Previous to This the AID Mas
saehusetts regiment, quartered on Kuhn 5
wharf, were charged. They were protected
by barricades, aud had taken up the planks
frem the wharf, rendering them impossible
and our forces withdrew. During the truce
with the vessels the unconditional surrender
of these men demanded and complied
with. Their colors consist of United
States flag of silk, and a white flag, having
the coat of arms of Massachusetts, painted on
it with tie motto g Ense petit placidam sub
Libertate Quietam 49," Under freedom tue
sword seeks peaceful qniet." The appear<
ance Of the coat of arms is rather singular.
In the center is an Indian with his low at
the right corner of the shield is single star,
at which he is CHANGING askance. We might
say the savage was coveting the Texas star.
Unfortunately the star is in the ascendant,
aud the result proved the vanity of his wish
es At any rate the sword of the AID has
found peaceful quiet by the aid of Texas
freemen.
Before the truce expired, the Federal gum
boats drew off and escaped ont of the har-
bor utterly routed and defeated, leaving in
our hands, the city, the harbor, the Harriet
| Lane, the two barks and schooner, and
vast stores, valuable artillery, etc.
The affair surpasses in briliancy anything
we have ever read of. The exploits of the
Virginia and the Arkansas have been eclipsed,
aud Texas has proud prominence on
lar and has ava prl sad
on her own soil the glories Of her achieve
ments other fields.
1rriral of The Federal prisoners in Houston.
Housros, Jan. 81. ls63.-It having been
given out that the Federal prisoners, cap
tnred in the recent battle at Galveston,
would be up the train this morning. a
large concourse of citizens assembled at the
depot, Burning with curiosity to see the men
who had come to dcsolate our land, but who
had suddenly been brought up with round
turn. by the unparalleled generalship of our
hours in the rain, the assemblage was graft
lied with the sound of the locomotive whistle
and presently the train came IN view. 1t
stopped ahour half mile from the depot,
where tho Yankees were landed, formed into
line. aud under guard marched to the depot.
and thence to their quarters, where they will
remain for the presents
The Colonel of the Regiment, three Cap
tains. six Lieutenants, and $50 non-comms-
stoned officers, privates and sailors, are all
that could be brought this train. The
balance, some ais, will be sent up as soon as
possible. Our reporter was kindly permitted
Nv the officers in charge. TO pass the guard
and mingle with the prisoners. From them
be learned that the regiment had been in SER
vice only four months, and had been away
from their homes in Massachusetts only
some three months. They were mostly
Americans, but occasionally foreigner
might be seen among them. mostly Irish and
Dutch.
Those with whom our reporter conversed
were Young men, and seemed very intelli-
gent. They acknowledge that the capture Of
them and their feet was one Of the most
daring achievements Of the war, but said
rletr sunrise. being all asleep. They bad
not the slightest previous insima:ion Of what
was about to happen The booming OF Ma