The bombardment of Galveston.
The Galveston News, of the 3d inst., has a long account of the bombardment of that city by the Federal steamer Dart, from which we extract the following:‘ The Dart came sailing down in front of the batteries, doubtless to draw her fire, but this was of no avail. The steamer had come now almost to a standstill. She had not long to wait. Col. Moore sighted No. 1 at her, and 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 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 sandbags 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 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 wall into the yard. We heard of a piece falling at south side of the Public Square, penetrating the roof and floor of Mr. J. Dykeman's portice; an entire bomb at Mr. Close's foundry, a piece going to the 1st 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 safe approach to the shore, opposite the beach batteries.
The British Consul's residence is near Mr. League's, and his flag was flying, as it has been for a month, at an elevation that it can easily be seen at a great distance. Another consular flag was up, further in the city, northeast of Mr. League's, but the hostile shell paid no attention to them. Of course, a man who would fire at women and children would care but little for other observances of civilized warfare.
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, one of whom is a son of Mr. Menard, our worthy Deputy Collector. The name of the man killed was Frank Sylva, an Italian or Portuguese, whose occupation. we understand, was selling fruits, &c. The remainder of his body was buried the same evening.
This, we believe, was all the harm that was done by the 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.
’ The same paper has the following:
‘ We understand that yesterday all the foreign consuls united in signing a letter to Capt. Alden, in which they remonstrated in the strongest terms against his firing into the city on Saturday afternoon last, without the warning that is invariably given to remove the women and children, the sick, and those incapable of taking arms. This protest was transmitted to Col. Moore, and we are informed will be sent out to Capt. Alden under a white flag.
’
