Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-06-12

rs, the pride of the people, the gem OF
the seas is situated on the east end OF |
Galveston Island, twenty -eight miles In |
length by an average of mile and half
in width, two miles from the mainland
ct Virginia Point, and fifty miles by rail |
from the city of Houston, the head OF
navigation on Buffalo Bayou. In 1867
the Federals captured and occupied the
city with large force OF infantry and
artillery, protected by some nfteen gun,
boats and transports, which lay IN fancied
security at the wharves. They were
constant menace TO the entire coast,
as 1t was not known AZ Tnat
point q formidable invasion might be
attempted. The Confederate commander.
General J.. Bankhead Magruder, had his
headauarters and maintained a large
force at Houston where all the railways
In the State then had their termini) IN
constant readiness to repel any attempted
invasion at any point on the Texas coast.
The Confederates held possession OF the
Galveston Railway bridge, the only ave-
nue. of communion with the mainland,
except by small vessels. Most or the
citizens Of Galveston had fed on the ap-
proach of the enemy, becoming exiles IN
the interior of the State, leaving their
beautiful vineclad homes vacant and IN
the possession of the foe. These we're
desecrated and in many cases destroyed,
some of the most beautiful and costly
being converted into stables for their
horses. and barracks for their soldiery,
and the lovely orange and oleander
groves were literally extirpated. General
Magruder conceived the bold and hazard-
GUS scheme of recapturing the Island
City--defended as it was by strong land
force and great navy of powerful ves-
sells of war. A half dozen small bayou
steamers had escaped up Butfalos Bayou,
and these were converted into cotton clad
gunboats, amply protected (except their
hulls below water line) by cotton bales.
They were provided with grappling-irons
and manned by resolute sharpshooters.
On the night of Dec. 81, 1862, they slowly
and cautiously moved on the doomed
city. The Confederate land forces in
camp at Virginia Point crossed the mutfied
railway bridge and took position in the
rear of the city. Just at the dawn OF day
on the ever memorable morning of Jan. l,
1868, at o signal from the cotton-clad
feet, q concerted and vigorous attack was
made upon the Federal position, the land
forces and vessels Of war all unconscious
of impending danger They made q
0N@SNASS
worthy Of better cause, but the impetu-
osity Of the Confederate attack was ire
sistible, and the enemy was finally over
powered and forced to surrender, the
loss being heavy on both sides, but par
ticularly SO on the Federal side. The
fruit Of this splendid victory was the
capture of the entire Federal army and its
vast stores and navy, not one man or ves-
sell escaping, except one war ship which
violated the truce and escaped to sea in
the confusion of the hour, and the flag
ship Westfeld, which was blown up by
her commander with every soul on board,
in order, as was believed, to escape an
iQnominious surrender under circum-
stances of the deepest disgrace.
The following beautiful poem, referring
TO this brilliant achievement, was written
in camp on Galveston Island, soon after
its recspture, by the gifted soldier poet
Colonel a.. M. Hobby. 1t is truthfully
said that poets are not made, but born.
Colonel Hobby although during the wal
between the States engaged in deeds OF
daring and valor which linked his name
\ in imperishable renown with the most
illustrlous soldiers Of modern times, was
not averse to occasional dalliance will
the muse, and his poetic contributions
rank with the sweetest gems preserved II
the English language.
This writer served with him in the
Ninth Legislature of Texas. during the
stormy session of 1861, where his brill.
liant intellect and sweet, lovable disposi-
tion endeared him to all his colleagues
and associates, where he was conspicuous
for his pure and graceful oratory and his
devotion to the principles of civil liberty
and local self government. which were
then being Gas we believed at that time
30 fiercely assailed by our Northern
brethren. Col Hobby died at Fort Sell
don, New Mexico, Feb. 2, 1881.
GEO. F. AFFORD.
DALLAS Texas.