The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-06-26
ACTING ADMIRAL. THATCHER TO THE
NAVY DEPARTMENT.

| UNITED STATES FLAGSHIP Il. II. CuTrER,
| Or GALVESTON, Texas, June s. 1866
SIR-In my dispatch No. 13G written
| at Mobile, informed the department.
| that the rebel commissioners at Calves
| ton had desired transportation to New
Orleans, to meet General Candy, with
view to arrange the terms of surrender,
| and that had directed such transpOrta-
ton to be furnished.
On the evening of the 2Sth of May /
arrived at New Orleans, where remain
ed until the morning of the 9th inst,
and during that period had several Of
| fetal interviews with Col. Ashbel Smith,
| the commander of the defences of Gal
weston, who assured me that therewould
| be no opposition on the part ofthe forces
under his command or the people, to the
| occupation of Galveston by the navy.
On the morning of the 9TH left New
| Orleans in the United States steamer X.
r. CuyIer. and arrived off Galveston yes
| terday at two p Nj. Captain Sands then
| informed me that on the I'd inst. Major
General F.. Kirby Smith and Major Gen.
j. Il. Magruder came on board the United
States steamer Fort Jackson, where they
were met by Brigadier General L. }.
Davis, representing IL. RS. Candy, and
the terms of surrender heretofore agreed
upon between lle REPRESENTATIVES, VI
Generals Smith and Candy were signed
by General e. Kirby Smith.
| After the signing of the articles of
surrender, Captain Sands Immediately
took the necessary steps to buoy out the
| channels, and on the 18th instant pro-
ceeded inside the bar in the Cornelia,
followed by the Preston, and landed at
Galveston, accompanied by Commander
| Stevens, Commander Downs and Lieu
tenant Commander Wilson, and had an
interview with the Mayor, G. H. Leo
nard after which the flag of the United
States was raised on the Custom House,
the citizens conducting themselves in
the most orderly manner.
The flag is now floating on all the
forts in the harbor; but, as we have not
sufficient force from the fleet to garrison
| the latter, | have decided the light
draught gunboats Cornelia, Preston and
| New London to remain inside the bar,
where they will som Joined, by the Port
Royal. / have also given orders to Com
mander Leroy, of the Ossipee, to con-
voy with his vessel the troops which
General Candy, it is hoped, will in a
few days be ready to dispatch to occupy
the different ports on the coast already
surrendered to the United States.
General Brown, of the United States
army, ON the 1st inst, with a brigade,
took possession Of the garrison at
Brownsville The other ports on the
coast of Texas which have been hereto
fore blockaded by our vessels are now
held by the naval forces. Thus block
AIDE running from Galveston and the
coast of Texas is at an end.
To-day / went on shore. and had an
interview with the civil and military
authorities, by whom was cordially
received, and in conversation these gem
tlemen expressed their anxiety for
speedy restoration of the old order of
things. and reiterated their desire that a
portion of our naval force should remain
IN the harbor for their protection. On
the visit was accompanied by Captain
Sands and part of my staff.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
III. X. THATCHER,
Acting Rear Admiral, Commanding the
Western Gulf Squadron.
Hon. GIDEON WELLEs, Secretary of the
Navy, Washington, ID. G.
, Z: S.-The r. II. Cuyler will now pro-
coed to New York, in obedience to tho
orders of the Department.