Doc. 167.-bombardment of Galveston, Texas.
Galveston papers of Tuesday, 6th of August, mention two attempts on the part of the blockading fleet on that station to shell the city — the first by the schooner Dart, on Saturday, 2d, doing no damage; the second by the steamer South Carolina, on Monday, 5th, which resulted in the killing of one man, the wounding of two or three slightly, and the damaging of several dwellings.After particularizing the manoeuvre of the vessels, and their getting in position, and the position and manning of the Confederate batteries, and the eagerness of those in charge for the fight to commence, the News says:
The Dart came sailing down in front of the batteries, doubtless to draw their fire, but this was of no avail. The steamer had now come almost to a stand-still. She was within range, and seemed to dare attack. She had not long to wait. Col. Moore sighted No. 1 at her, and in a moment after the white smoke rose above the breastworks, and the thundering report that shook the earth and filled the air, announced that the contest had begun.
All eyes now turned to the steamer. In a minute a puff of white smoke issued from her prow, as she still continued to move slowly on; the heavy report rang out, and then the sharp hum of a shell was distinctly heard.
Again, again, and again, this slow interchange of shots took place, the intervals pretty regular between each. Our first shots were delivered steadily, and evidently with care; they were in line, and went nearer the propeller each time, and one struck so near her, amidships, that from various parts of the city, far distant from each other, as we have since learned, the remark was simultaneous: “That hit her!”
Capt. Alden now began, however — much to our mingled astonishment and indignation — to fire shells over the city. He had endeavored to enfilade the guns in the batteries, but his gunners failed to hit either the sand bags or the men around and near them. He doubtless then bethought him that, as he had succeeded so well in opening ladies' letters, he would be as triumphant in frightening or injuring some of our women and children. May his name be infamous for the dastardly deed.
Several large shells exploded high in the air, the pieces flying in all directions, far and near. One piece traversed the roof of Mr. Tankersley's house, one square in the rear of Mr. Brown's and Gen. Nichols' residence, on Broadway. It went through the pantry, next to the kitchen, and through the outer plank [485] wall into the yard. We heard of a piece falling at the south side of the public square, penetrating the roof and floor of Mr. J. Dykeman's portico; and an entire bomb at Mr. Blose's foundry, and a piece going to the first ward market, and one shell burying itself near Smyth's garden; but none, fortunately, hitting any one, though some narrow escapes were had. We were shown a 32-pound ball that was said to have been picked up in the street, near Broad-way and Tremont. We have been informed, also, that some of the shells were found unexploded; but we cannot hear that any of the gallant Alden's missiles came nearer than the further part of Mr. League's new hotel lot, on Tremont street, south of the bayou, or about half a mile from the gulf. This is considered by many as the range of the propeller's guns, from her nearest approach to the shore, opposite the beach batteries.
The News states that two consular flags--one the British--were flying, but were not respected by Capt. Alden. The News continues:
A large number of people having collected on and near the sand-hills, a little to the eastward of the batteries, to gratify their curiosity, a shell fell among them, apparently directed for that purpose, cutting one man in two, and carrying away most of his body between the shoulders and hips, and exploding about the same time. Some two or three others were slightly wounded with the pieces.
This, we believe, was all the harm that was done by this first attempt to bombard our city. The firing continued about half an hour. Some of the shells measured ten inches in diameter, and must have been thrown by a sixty-eight pounder, said to be the steamer's pivot gun.
During the firing the city rang with the shouts of the people from the roofs and balconies at every discharge from the batteries, and even the ladies participated in the enthusiasm of the excitement, manifesting the utmost anxiety to see our shot strike the steamer and sink her.
Some twelve or fourteen shots were exchanged between the shore and the steamer. She then moved out to sea, firing a last shell, and our guns replied. A number of careful lookerson report that, with their glasses, they distinctly saw a boat, or something like it, lowered over her side as she turned away, and this, as is thought, to plug or examine a shot hole in her side. It is also thought that her pivot gun was capsized, from being raised at too great an angle, as a large number of men and officers were seen bending over it, as they were on Sunday.
The Dart had soon got out of range and followed the steamer, which speedily resumed her old position east of the bar and off Bolivar peninsula. There she has remained up to the time of writing--Monday afternoon.
Good judges think that Capt. Alden made his best effort on this occasion, to show his power to injure our city. There are many of an opposite opinion, however.
