New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-01-17
stirring News from Tcxns-ParticuIass of
the Fight in Galveston hay.
From The True UslfG, 6fA.


From officer belonging to the United States
transport steamer from Galveston, who was an eye
witness of the affair, we learn the following partic-
lars of the attack by the COUfederaies, under Gen.
Magruder, upon the Union war vessels living in
Galveston Bay, on the morning Of the Let inst.
The attack was most daring one, aud resulted in Il
serous oss Of life and the destruction Of consdefa-
bic property of various kinds. The Union loss ia
vessels was as follows: The Harriet Lane, cap.
tured; the Wes,feld blown up TO prevent her fall
ing into the bands OF the Couieierates and two
barks laden with coal, captured. The exact oss Of
life is not known, although Il was pretty heavy.
What loss the Contederaies sustained was not
known to our informant
AT . o. clock on the morning OF the Ist four Con-
ederae gunboais, similar in all respects TO our Mis-
sssippi River steamers lined and fortified with cot.
ton bales, suddenly emerged from Buffalo Bayou
into Galveston Bay, 10 the astonishment Of the Off
osTs ana @e h. on were In ~oosrss
force on land, little dreamed of having TO con.
tend will them for supremacy Oh the beautiful and
placid waters Of Galveston Bay. But that such was
the cage was now patent 10 all. There were the
four steamers Immediately in front, slowly but
surely nearing their object Of attack The two fore.
most steamers were aide by side, the third short
distance in their wake, and the fourth still further
off. In tie mean time everything was in readiness
on board the Union war vessels 10 give their
stesltbily, approaching enemy warm reception-a
regular oldfashioned NewYear's greeting.
Tie fret veesel attacked the Harriet Lane, by
two of the steamers, one on each tide. The Lane
unfortunately, was aground when attacked aud
therefore unable TO use herself TO any great adyan
tHge nevertheless, she succeeded in getting seyera
welldrected sbos into one Of the steamers causiDQ
her 10 sink IN few minutes. BY this time the third
steamer had run alongside Of the Lane and the
sharp shooters opened upon the gunners all of whom
were killed in short time, together with the com.
mander. Capt. Wainwright. As room 10 Capt. VAIN.
wright fell the Texans boarded the vessel and after
heroic defense by the Union officers and men, cup
tCred her. The loss Of life the Lane was as fol-
lowe; Capt. Wainwright, LIST Lieut.. Lee, and a
large number Of the crew, consisting Of 10 men.
The Confederates next turned their attention TO
the U. 5. steamer Westfeld, acting commander Rem
shaw, lying short distance Off and which, like the
Harriet Lane, was also aground. After an inef-
fectual attempt TO get his vessel clear of the obstruc
ton, Com. Renshaw held brief consultation with
bis officers, the result of which was unanimous de.
termination 10 blow the Westfeld up. Every
preparation for the contamination Of the awful bnt
heroic resolve of these patriotic men WIS made the
torch applied, and in instant more the noble YES
sci, with many OF her officers aud men, was scat.
tered into fragments.
We have obtained the following particulars of the
loss Of life on the WestGeld: w. b. Renshaw Act
ing Commander; Lieut.. Zimmerman, Green
Engineer; Walter Esser, Coxswan; boats crew,
consisting OF five persOns two quarternasters; four
bremen. The total loss OF life on the Westield, We
are informed. will not exceed ffteon-most of the
officers and crew having made their escape in the
small boats.
The steamer Owasco, which participated in the
had two men killed mud ii wounded.
The reminder Of the feet, with the Transports
Mary A. BoaIdman aud Saxon, escaped outside the
BAR.
Two barka, loaded with coal from New-York. !
wing at the Galveston wharf, were captured by the
JOnfederaes, together with $50 soldiers, who had
been landed TO DO garison duty
The Confederacs, after the destruction Of the |
Nesiheld, bad n little bout with tie Owasc0, in |
when they sustained some lose. They then turned |
he prOws of their steamers Including the Harriet
'ane) shoreward, where they were moored at last
dyices.