GALVESTON
WEEKLY NEWS
1864
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, January 6, 1864, p. 1, c. 2
An old citizen of Dallas county says that a good article of worsted socks
can be purchased in abundance in that county at five dollars per pair and Texas
jeans at twenty dollars per yard. This
will, of course, be cheering news to many of our citizens, and especially to the
editor of the State Gazette, who expresses an anxiety to procure such articles.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, January 13, 1864, p. 2, c. 4
How to Spin Cotton Yarns Without Cards.—Gov. Shorter, of Alabama,
received the following communication on the above subject, from Hon. W. E.
Clarke, Senator in the Alabama Legislature.
The Montgomery Advertiser publishes it for the valuable information it
contains:
Capitol, Nov. 12, 1863.
His Excellency, John Gill Shorter—
Dear Sir:--A constituent of mine, Col. R. R. Pickering, of Marengo
county, is making excellent cotton yarns, for the manufacture of bagging and
heavy clothing for negroes, without the use of cards.
He gins the cotton slowly, so as to throw large flakes through the flue,
which are caught in a hamper basket placed under the flue, and taken to the
spinning wheel, without pressing the cotton.
Col. Pickering informs me that his best spinners average eight cuts per
day. Since he made this discovery
he has abandoned the use of cards, in making coarse yarns. I herewith send you a specimen of the yarn for exhibition.
Believing this a matter of much importance to our country, I have taken
the liberty of making this communication.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, January 13, 1864, p. 2, c. 5
Castor Oil.—Mr. I. M. Camp has shown us a most beautiful article of
castor oil, of his own manufacture. It
could not be distinguished from the best imported article in appearance, and we
cannot entertain a doubt but that its quality is equally good.
Mr. Camp deserves the thanks of the public for his enterprise. He has spent much time and money in bringing this article to
its present perfection.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, January 13, 1864, p. 2, c. 5
Col. J. R. Skiles, of Karnes Co., writes us that his lady, in obedience
to Gen. Magruder's call upon the ladies, has made fourteen haversacks from trunk
covers of Russia duck, an admirable article for such a purpose.
We understand the ladies of our city are also responding in this good
work.—S. A. Herald.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, January 20, 1864, p. 1, c. 1
Shreveport, January 13th, 1864.
Dear News:-- . . . I have noticed several articles in your paper recently
upon the subject of iron and from the tone I judge that the writer is not aware
that there are already furnaces in operation in Texas that are turning out an
immense quantity of the finest pig iron in the world.
It is pronounced by Col. Clemson, the scientific gentleman at the head of
the Iron Department in the Trans Mississippi Department, to be superior to any
iron to be found in Europe or America. And
the quantity is unlimited. All the
iron used here for shot and shell and for other government purposes as well as
for private use—I mean castings is brought from these Texas mines.
At present we have only the pig iron, but soon the rolling mills and
hammers will be in operation and then we will have as much car iron and nails as
the country can use.
Every week long trains of wagons arrive loaded with pig iron to be worked
up in the government foundries here. In
addition we have an immense coal bed in the immediate vicinity of Shreveport, of
which thousands of bushels have been used by our steamboats and gas works. It burns well, as well as any, but I know not its exact
quality. I am aware that Col.
Clemson some months since was of the opinion that all the coal on this side of
the Mississippi river, was what is called lignite, which I believe is not equal
to other qualities of coal.
M. E.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, January 20, 1864, p. 1, c. 4
Galveston Still Suffering.—We make the following extract from a letter
just received from Galveston. It is
from one of the most respectable citizens of the devoted island city:
"The want of wood causes a wide havoc with our buildings; over ten
houses have been torn down for firewood. Our
unfortunate town is fast going to destruction, whilst we have two or three
steamboats making but about one trip in eight or ten days with wood.
A heavy hand is laid on our property. The wharves are now being torn up for firewood.
Most of our wood boats were seized a few weeks ago, and some thirteen
went out to see in a norther, the balance were returned to their owners.
Oh, the folly, folly! of those men of theory!
Yet poor Galveston is to suffer to the bitter end for their
blunders."
Flake's Bulletin contains the following which conveys the impression that
making fuel of the houses in Galveston is by order of the commanding General:
"Quite a number of old houses have disappeared since the cold
weather came on. We understand that
Gen. Magruder, in consequence of the scarcity and impossibility of procuring
sufficient firewood, has issued an order for the impressment of the wharves and
the old vacant houses, to be used as fuel by the troops.
A number of houses have been torn down.
The wharves have thus far escaped destruction."
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, January 20, 1864, p. 1, c. 4
Montague, Dec. 29, 1863.
Ed News.—The Indians came down to this country the other day and
stole several head of horses, keeping down Red River right along the big
road until they got into Cooke county. There
they killed six persons, one man, two women and three children, and stole all
the horses they could get. They
then kept down the river some distance, when they made straight for the
Gainsville settlements, going within four miles of Gainsville. The soldiers, about forty in number, came up with them, when
the Indians, numbering some 200, charged them, compelling them to retreat, with
the loss of two or three killed and one mortally wounded. When they got within four miles of Gainsville, having by this
time gathered up some two or three hundred head of horses, they then divided,
one party with the horses crossing Dead River, the other party, consisting of
about forty, turning to the right, and making for other parts, to try their hand
somewhere else at murdering and stealing horses. What we shall do I know not.
I hope those in authority will awake to a sense of our situation.
Respectfully,
J. H. Cox.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, January 20, 1864, p. 1, c. 7
The Marshall Republican, of the 2d instant, announces that that paper
will be suspended for a few weeks for the want of paper and the necessary
assistance, but that an Extra will be issued when important news is received.
We hope our able contemporary may soon be enabled to resume, but the
"paper question" is becoming every day one of more and more absorbing
interest to us.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, January 20, 1864, p. 2, c. 2
We copy the following from the Victoria Advocate:
On the recent raid of the Yankees to Lavaca, the following individuals
took the occasion to leave and retire to "Abraham's bosom:"
Dr. F. E. Hughes, Rev. Mr. McRae, pastor of a church in Lavaca, who
occasionally "held forth" in Victoria; Dr. (?) Rosencranz, and ____
McKee, a quondam merchant of Lavaca. We
have no sympathy for the traitors, and hold them up to the scorn of the true and
faithful. We congratulate our
sister town on being rid of these blots on her social surface.
The Yankees seem to have determined on a permanent establishment at
Indianola. We hear that they have gone to merchandising and have begun
publishing a newspaper; we expect to hear soon that they have opened
intelligence and insurance offices, with a few model artist exhibitions.
Since the raid of the Yankees to Lavaca, we have heard nothing further of
their doings. No one suffered from
their visit there, we believe, except Capt. Bradbury, whose property they used
pretty roughly. At Chocolate bridge
they acted in a villainous manner. They
entered the house of Mr. Norris, whose wife and children were at home, and
destroyed everything in the shape of food, maliciously cutting up the furniture,
bedding, &c. If two or three
hundred good men had been there, the rascals would have had other work to attend
to instead of a war on women and children.
The Advocate says the Yankees are publishing a paper at Indianola, on
half a cap sheet, using the materials used by Mr. Yancey, deceased.
It is called the "Horn Extra."
The following extracts are taken from that paper:
We are astonished at a queer fact in regard to our new location, i. e.,
the entire absence of the "unbleached" American.
A new feature in towns of this magnitude in "Dixie."
Have learned, however, that all the "colored population," and a
few gentlemen in "yaller," emigrated recently under the chilling
influence of the recent "Norther."
Gen. Fitz Henry Warren has issued stringent orders against straggling and
marauding by the soldiers of his command. Commissioned
officers will be held responsible for the conduct of their men.
A good order. It is not our
purpose to molest defenceless inhabitants.
Our business is with armed rebels. The
Generals Commanding will see to all the wants of the soldier, through the
regular military channel.
Our visit to this beautiful town was sudden, unexpected and
unceremonious, but none the less pleasant—in fact we like it amazingly for the
short acquaintance; have had some solemn thoughts of "settling down"
right here "when this cruel war is over."
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, January 20, 1864, p. 2, c. 3
Shreveport, Jan. 16, 1864
Dear News:-- . . . A word on the subject of iron.
You are aware that there is an unlimited supply if iron ore in Texas. The vein extends across Red River from Louisiana, and runs in
a southwesterly direction to the Trinity, and may be through the whole width of
the State. Its quality is said, by
Col. Clemson, who is, practically, the best qualified man in America, in such
matters, to be unsurpassed in the world. Col.
Clemson was educated in France, and received special instructions upon the
subject of metals. He was
afterwards employed by the Spanish Government to develop the mineral resources
of Spain. He has large interests in
iron furnaces East of the Mississippi. In
a word, [illegible] in his manhood has been devoted to this subject.
Having traveled recently through the iron region of Texas, he is well
qualified to judge of the quantity and quality of the ore in your State.
He is satisfied that no risk will be incurred, in peace or war, in making
investments in iron works. The
superior quality of the ore, the interior region in which it is found, will
enable persons owning labor at all times to reap a handsome profit on their
investments. In Tennessee,
Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, etc., iron works
open the widest field for a profitable investment of capital. I shall have something further to say on this subject at
another time.
M. E.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, January 27, 1864, p. 1, c. 4
How
Letters Should be Directed to Soldiers.
Ed. News:--Paper, ink, pens and envelopes are very scarce, especially
among soldiers, and it seems a pity that they should waste so much writing
material just for the want of a little information.
You would be astonished to see the amount of letters lying in some of our
offices, which, from the carelessness or ignorance of the writer, will never
reach their intended destination, but will be finally sent to the Dead Letter
Office. One reason of this is the
want of the proper endorsement. Letters
may be sent by soldiers without prepayment of postage, leaving the postage to be
collected upon the delivery of the letters, but letters so sent, says the law,
"shall be endorsed with the name, and shall be in account of the individual
sending the same, and shall contain a description of the party who sends the
same by the endorsement of his military title, if an officer, or of the company
and regiment to which he belongs, if a musician or private."
Again, many are under the impression that by having their envelopes
stamped "Paid" at one office they are good for postage at any other
office. Envelopes so stamped are good for postage only at the office
where the money was paid, and letters enclosed in such envelopes cannot be
mailed at a different office, unless the postage is paid again.
Again letters endorsed official business cannot be mailed without
prepayment of postage. No letters are sent free of postage except such as relate
exclusively to post office business, and these must be endorsed "Post
Office Business," over the signature of the post master sending the same.
In writing letters to soldiers great care should be taken to give not
only the number of the regiment, but also to state whether it is cavalry,
infantry, State Troops or Confederate; also the name of the Colonel commanding.
For instance, a letter directed to the "wd Texas Regt.," may be
forwarded by a postmaster to three different regiments before sending it to the
right one, and in this round the chances are that it will be lost.
There are four "2d Texas Regiments"—two are cavalry and two
are infantry—two are State Troops and two are in the Confederate service,
hence the necessity of particularizing in subscribing letters.
Much complaint is made in regard to the mails, but the real cause of
complaint is often with the writer of letters, at least in the opinion of
A Postmaster.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, January 27, 1864, p. 1, c. 4
The Mobile Register has an article upon the trade of that city, showing
that the enormous high prices are in a great measure attributable to the
unnecessarily large number of persons engaged in that trade, all of whom are
making money by it. The same
article has to pass through several hands leaving a large profit to each, before
the consumer is permitted to get it. First,
there is a class engaged in buying up the country produce and they make their
profit by selling to the wholesale merchant of the city, who will only sell by
the large quantity.—Between the wholesale merchant and the small retail dealer
there is a class of jobbers who will only sell flour by the barrel, lard by the
firkin, &c., and this class must also make a profit. But the poorer classes cannot purchase of any of these, never
having money enough to buy more than a few pounds of any article, and hence they
have to go to the small retailer who charges them his profit in addition to the
profit made by all the other classes of traders.
Hence, the poorer people are, the more they have to pay under this system
of trade. Surely there ought to be
some remedy for this great evil. It
is certainly not right that three or four classes of persons should be engaged
in doing the business that might just as well be done by one class, and then
taxing all the profits upon the poor consumers, made up, in great part, of the
families of soldiers. The writer
gives the following as an illustration, which may possibly apply with equal
truth in this city:
A single instance will suffice as an illustration of the way in which the
"so called" wholesale business of Mobile is now conducted.
A housekeeper applies to a Commerce street merchant for a few pounds of
butter from a firkin. The merchant
is in his counting room, an assistant or two unemployed in the store, and scales
and weights on the counter, showing that some articles at least are there sold
by retail, but the merchant will not sell his butter except by the entire
firkin, though there is no doubt he could dispose of it in less than twenty-four
hours. It must stand until a
retailer applies, who taxes it with at least fifty cents a pound in passing it
over to the consumers.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, January 27, 1864, p. 2, c. 1
We learn that a small Restaurant or Store was broken into and robbed last
night by some two or three soldiers. The
proprietor immediately notified the city guard who promptly came to his
protection. The soldiers soon
returned a second time, and commenced firing on the guard with their pistols,
when the guard returned the fire, breaking one soldier's arm with a shot and
wounding another. The former was
sent to the Hospital and the latter taken into custody.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, January 27, 1864, p. 2, c. 1
We have received a circular of the Waco University, from which it appears
that that institution is in quite a flourishing condition.
171 students have been matriculated during the past session. In addition to the ordinary branches taught, Prof. J. T.
Strother teaches the science of war thoroughly.
The circular is signed by J. W. Speight, as President Board of Trustees.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, January 27, 1864, p. 1, c. 1
Blacking from China Berries.—The Columbus Sun recommends its readers to
preserve the following receipt:
If you want good blacking, take a half bushel of China berries, and,
having them well picked from the stems, put into a kettle, and add three gallons
of water; boil down to one gallon, then strain the liquor through a sieve, from
the seed and skins, and add as much pine wood (the richer the better) soot as
will make a good black, and it is ready for use; a pint of good or a quart of
weak vinegar, (or stale small beer) first mixed with the soot will make it
better, and if you add the white of one egg to half a gallon of the liquor it
will be best, and equal to any Yankee blacking.
This blacking costs little besides trouble; and we have seen boots
cleaned with it inferior to none in gloss, and it will not soil a white
handkerchief.
Let is stand several days before you bottle it off.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, January 27, 1864, p. 2, c. 1
The Goliad Messenger of the 13th inst. says:
Some days ago, about sixty Dutch renegades and Mexicans came to King's
Rancho. They committed some
depredations, and left, carrying with them, we are told, three of our citizens.
There were about seventy sacks of flour and a few bales of cotton at the
rancho, which they could not take away, but they told Mrs. King that they would
return in a few days, and would hold her responsible for the flour and cotton.
Capt. Robb's men went down the next day, and burnt the cotton, and took
the flour to their headquarters. Mrs.
King did not wait for the return of the ruffians, but went to San Patricio.
It is to be hoped that our small force west of the Nueces will soon be
reinforced, so as to enable them to clean up the thieves.
The Yankees have paid several visits to Corpus Christi.
They have some friends there. They
offer the loyal citizens rations at King Abe's expense.—Old Capt. Dix it is
said gave them a cordial reception to his house.
He will no doubt apply for rations as he told Col. Moore he was not
"patriotic enough to starve."
The road to Eagle Pass is open and travel is safe.
We learn that a considerable quantity of goods has already been taken to
that place. Our quondam citizens H.
Seeligson and R. Bolter are engaged in the trade.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, January 27, 1864, p. 2, c. 6
Sweet Home, Dec. 26, 1863.
Ed. News.—You will please announce to the traveling soldiery, that my
charges for man and horse shall henceforth be $1 per night, and everything else
in accordance. This will be more
proportionate to their small wages than the present extravagant charges
throughout the country.
My inn, Sweet Home, Lavaca county, is constantly well supplied, and
henceforth shall be the soldier's house.
W. West.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, February 3, 1864, p. 1, c. 3
Gov. Moore, of Louisiana, in his recent message, makes the following
remarks upon the relations between that State and Texas:
Large numbers of our citizens have been forced to abandon their homes as
the enemy advanced, or to remain in his lines, subjected to his brutal tyranny.
They have preferred the former and more manly course, and have sought,
with their slaves, a refuge in the neighboring State of Texas.
Many have brought or sent back painful accounts of their reception.
Between two States geographically contiguous and closely united by ties
of common interest and reciprocal dependence, there should exist the most
enlarge comity. The citizens of
Texas and Louisiana have every inducement to cultivate mutual respect,
confidence and amity. The Texian
may boast of honorable service rendered in the defence of Louisiana, as the
Louisianian is justly proud of the conspicuous part he has performed in the
defence of Virginia, and of every State east of the Mississippi.
While each may vie with the other in recounting his deeds of valor, there
should not be wanting the exercise of another knightly quality—the duty of
hospitality.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, February 3, 1864, p. 1, c. 3
Take Care.—On the trial of a woman in England for biting off a man's
nose, the foreman of the jury decided that if a man attempted to kiss a woman
against her will, she had a right to bite off his nose if she had a fancy for so
doing.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, February 3, 1864, p. 1, c. 3
The Savannah Republican mentions a novel way that has recently been
discovered to smuggle whisky. There
is a woman who sports gutta percha breasts, filled, not with lacteal juices, but
old Bourbon of the best quality and greatest age.
What a jolly old wet nurse she would make for the boys up at "the
front."
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, February 3, 1864, p. 1, c. 3
Change of Costume.—With calico at ten dollars a yard, some of the fair
sex appear to think that they can economize their means by dressing in male
attire. A few days since we chronicled the arrest, near Raymond, of
one of these genus crinoline—Here is another instance of the same
tendency:
A handsome young woman, apparently about 17 or 18 years of age, giving
her name as Mary Allen, and hailing from Norfolk, was arrested dressed in mans
apparel, in the vicinity of Welden, on Friday last, and sent on to Petersburg by
the commanding officer, of that department.
She arrived here in the 4 o'clock train Saturday morning in charge of a
guard, and was placed in confinement to await the disposition of Major General
Peckett [sic]. Aside from her
eccentric proclivity for masculine apparel, which in itself is cause sufficient
for her arrest, she is suspected of being a Yankee spy, and if such has not
already been done she will be subjected to an examination that will probably
prove her true character.
She was neatly and becomingly dressed, and though she bore herself a
little awkwardly, was not uncomely to look upon.
She wears her hair short, and had on a well fitting cap, a dark jacket
and pants, and boots in the latest fashion.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, February 3, 1864, p. 1, c. 5
Another Woman Order.—The following order lately issued by Gen.
McPherson, has the order of Gen. Butler about it:
Headquarters 17th A. C., Provost marshal's Office.—Vicksburg
Miss., Dec. 27, 1863.—Circular: The
following named persons—Miss Kate Barnett, Miss Ella Barnett, Miss Laura
Latham, Miss Ellen Martin and Mrs. Moore, having acted disrespectfully towards
the president and government of the United States, and having insulted the
officers, soldiers and loyal citizens of the United States who had assembled at
the Episcopal Church in Vicksburg, on Christmas Day, for divine service, by
abruptly leaving said church at that point in the service where the officiating
minister prays for the welfare of the President of the United States, and all
others in authority, are hereby banished, and will leave the Federal lines
within forty eight hours, under penalty of imprisonment.
Hereafter all persons, male or female, who, by word, deed, or
implication, do insult or show disrespect to the president, government, or flag
of the United States, or to any officer or soldier of the United States, upon
matters of a national character, shall be fined, banished or imprisoned,
according to the grossness of the offence.
James Wilson, Lt. Col. and Pro. Mar. 17th A. C.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, February 3, 1864, p. 2, c. 7
State
Penitentiary.
We are indebted to Gen. Besser, late Financial Agent of the State
Penitentiary, for the report showing the condition of that institution.
It will be seen that Gen. Besser has paid nearly one million of dollars
into the State Treasury during the past two years.
Merchandise
Account.
Merchandise made
from December 1st, 1861, to December 18, ;1863, including amount
transferred by M. C. Rogers, late agent, to John S. Besser, Financial Agent,
Texas Penitentiary.
Goods.
Amount.
Sales
Bal on h'nd
Osnaburgs
2,259 38l4½
[?]
2,256,426¼
2,948¼
Cotton Jeans
409,047
408,182¾
864¼
Wh. Kerseys
242,022
241,780¾
190¼
White Plains.
78,103
77,912¼
190¾
Sheep Gray
49, 39½
47, 55¾
183¼
Total Goods
2,993,496
" Sales
2,989,057¾
" Balance
on hand
4,438¼
For which said balance I hold my successors receipt, less 30 ½ yards of
Osnaburgs stolen by a portion of the 2d Regiment Cavalry State Troops.
How disposed of
Cotton Goods
Woolen Goods.
Army purposes
1,419,364½
292,963½
Supplies
350,105½
2,026
Employees
8,214½
1,710½
Penitentiary uses
1,433½
10½
Factory uses
15,512¾
681½
Clothing uses
6,700½
1,819½
Citizens
..............
224
Lunatic Asylum
3,553
852
Old accounts
24,114
2,590¼
Citizens and soldiers' families to
238,847
21,570¾
Oct. 1, 1862
Soldiers' families since Oct. 1, 1862
599,763¼
........
________
________
Total
2,664,699
324,448¾
Cash
Account
Cash received and
disbursed by John S. Besser, Financial Agent, Texas Penitentiary, from December
1st, 1861, to December 8th, 1863:
Received from M. C. Rogers, late agent
36.80
"
App. for Transportation Convicts 3,549.90
"
Appr. for Contingent
Expenses
112.50
"
Gen. sources, sales &c. $1,550,603.06
________
Total
$1,554,603.06
Disbursed for
sundries on Expense ac't
584,318.06
"
amount paid my successor
1,822.30
"
"
deposited in Treasury 968,462.70
________
Total
$1,554,603.06
Of the above amount deposited in the State Treasury on account of
Penitentiary, $537,060.95 has been paid in since the 22d day of June last; the
balance, $431,401.75 having been deposited between the months of September,
1862, and June, 1863, the proceeds, previously, having been applied to the
extinguishing of the outstanding liabilities.
Balance Sheet.
Dr.
From Ledger balances
$3,090.28
"
Bills payable
17,295.52
"
Amount from State Treasury
3,662.40
"
Balance down
1,096,122.02
__________
Total
$1,120,170.22
Cr.
By Ledger balances
$25,500.99
"
Bills receivable
1,422.94
"
Amounts in suit
3,560.54
"
Merchandise, &c., for sale
5,275.32
"
Factory supplies on hand
106,039.36
"
Provisions on hand
4,830.00
"
Clothing on hand
2,601.07
"
Penitentiary supplies
655.00
"
Cash to successor
1,822.30
"
Cash deposited
968,462.70
________
Total
$1,120,170.22
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, February 3, 1864, p. 2, c. 6
San Antonio, January 26th, 1864.
Ed. News:--Notwithstanding wars and rumors of war, San Antonio looks
about as cheerful as usual. Two
months ago when I was here I was struck with the fact that although the streets
were crowded with people there were few to the "manor born" to be seen
and those few mostly of a darker hue than the caucasian race.
Now amid the stirring throng people of every hue and race are to be seen,
and in every garb from the chimesette to the glittering stars. Ordnance stores are being moved rapidly to different parts of
the interior for safety and convenience, we have news that Duff's regiment has
had a brush with the blue-bellies and gave them a handsome drubbing taking a few
live ones prisoners. The
particulars are not given, but the most exciting topic at present is the order
of Gen. Smith stopping the transit of cotton west.
It has caused the elongation of many a laughing face, and forebodings of
dreadful consequence marks the conversation of all interested in the
accumulation of money. It is
believed however to be only temporary, as Judge Devine and Col. McKinney are to
start in a day or two as commissioners appointed by Lieut. Gen. Smith to settle
pending claims with the Mexican parties interested; that war and everything will
move on smoothly again until the edict of another order, say in some three
weeks. There were some rumors of
difficulties brewing at Eagle Pass yesterday and in consequence Capt. Giddings
moved from this place in that direction with a company raised by him under
authority to protect his cotton wagons. A
lucky dog ain't he? I presume it
will turn out as rumors generally do. But
should it be so, and the Yankees are actually at Eagle Pass from El Paso, as
reported there, look out for squalls. Cotton
must be protected in mule wagons en route for Mexico when belonging to wealthy
men.
Col. Ford, alias "old Rip" is here busy as a Bee organizing for
some purpose not known to affiant [sic?] But
rest assured that when old Rip takes the field something will be did.
There will be no charging up and back again without at least one exchange
of salutations, with the enemy. He
has not been well treated by the powers that be and has no paid penygirist, but
acts will speak for his venerable head yet before this war is over.
More from some where else.
Yours,
P. P.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, February 10, 1864, p. 1, c. 7
The benevolent associations of this city have achieved, and are still
achieving, a vast amount of good. The
Supply Association has been conducted with great ability from its start—at
first under Col. Schilecher, its president, and after his resignation, under Mr.
Waelder, who has finally sustained its reputation and usefulness.
Whilst corn meal is selling at $30 per bushel, and flour at $125 per
hundred pounds, this association is selling the former at $7 and the latter at
$44.
The Mutual Aid Association is supplying dry goods, groceries, shoes,
flour, etc., at rates almost equally below the ordinary market price.
The Government officers are entitled to the thanks of the community for
extending every facility in their power towards carrying out the objects of
these truly benevolent institutions, through whose means a vast amount of
suffering has been averted, and abundance of food and clothing placed within
reach of nearly all our citizens.—S. A. Herald.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, February 10, 1864, p. 2, c. 1
For the first time for more than twelve months, we have lately received a
few exchanges by mail from the other side of the Mississippi.
We tender our thanks to Postmaster General Reagan and his agents and
contractors, hoping it is the commencement of a decided improvement in the
service.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, February 10, 1864, p. 2, c. 1
We refer our readers to the announcement of the extensive cotton and
wollen [sic] factory which Mr. Lockett says he is about to establish, and will
have in operation by September next. Considering
the extraordinary difficulties attending an enterprise on so large a scale, at
such a time as this, many of our readers may naturally be a little incredulous
at the very brief time required for its completion.
But Mr. Lockett assures us there will be no mistake about it, and as he
has the appearance of a man of energy and business capacity, the public may find
his performance equal to his promise. One
thing is certain, the enterprise will be of incalculable benefit to the army, to
our State and to the people generally, and should meet with the most liberal
encouragement. We hear of some
other similar enterprises now in progress in our State and may have occasion to
speak of them.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, February 10, 1864, p. 2, c. 1
New Texas School Reader.—Under this title we have received from Mr.
Cushing of the Telegraph, a very neatly printed book of 184 pages, embracing a
large variety of interesting and valuable articles, chiefly relating to Texas,
and mostly of a biographical or historical character.
We have not had time to more than cursorily glance at the several
articles, but our impression is that it is admirably adapted to the use of our
schools, as designated by the publisher. It
can scarcely fail to deeply interest the youth of Texas; and the articles are
well selected to inspire a feeling of pride in our State, and honor and respect
for the memory of those who have borne a prominent part in the revolutions
through which we have past during the past thirty years.
We cannot doubt that Mr. Cushing will be well and liberally rewarded for
supplying our schools with a book so much needed.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, February 10, 1864, p. 2, c. 3
The
Cotton and Wool Factory.
Houston, Feb. 4, 1864.
Editor News.—I have received numerous letters from various parties,
enquiring more particularly about the enterprise in which I am engaged, will you
permit me, sir, to answer them all through your paper for the information of the
public, as well as those making the enquiries.
On the 23d of Oct. last, I was ordered by Col. R. R. Lawther, to report
to Maj. Gen. Price, with a recommendation that I be assigned to duty in some
manufactory established in the State of Texas.
I was sent by Gen. Price to Lt. Gen. E. Kirby Smith, with Col. Lawther's
recommendation endorsed. I reported
to Gen. Smith and was ordered by him to inspect certain factories in Northern
Texas which I did, and reported by the 26th of November. I then drew up a plan and presented it to the clothing bureau
for establishing a factory which would supply the wants of the army and people
of the Department. This plan was
approved by the Clothing Bureau and by Gen. Smith and I am now engaged in
putting it in operation, having obtained from the State of Texas a charter for
this purpose. I have nearly the
minimum ($1,000,000) amount of stock taken.
The shares are $1,000 each, to be paid in Confederate money or cotton at
its market value.
The plan is not a speculation. It
originated in the army, and was devised by those who have been in active service
from the very first, and who expect to the very last, let it be long or short.
It has the entire support and hearty approval both of the military and
civil authorities of both the Confederate and State governments.
Its first and great object is to supply the soldiers with clothes and
blankets.—Second, the benefit of the people at large, and pay those who
invest, a good per cent. on their investment, both now and after the war.
He who gives his time and money, will be doing his country as good
services as he that carries the musket, but we do not intend to take men from
the field, but as far as possible employ negro labor and old men.
A few energetic, active business men are absolutely necessary.
No more will be taken. It is
a private company acting under a special charter.—The State gives 320 acres of
land for every $1,000 expended in buildings and machinery, provided it is in
operation by March, 1865. I expect
it to be in full operation by September next.
The company is partially organized; a portion of the stock has already
been paid in. The directors of the
company will be elected on Tuesday, the 17th inst., at Navasota. Those wishing to take stock can do so by applying to me, or
Henry Sampson, Esq., at Houston, and paying 10 per cent. down, or giving their
legal obligation to deliver the required amount of cotton, on demand of the
Directors, or by attending the meeting of stockholders and paying the 10 per
cent. required.
Thos. F. Lockett.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, February 9, 1864, p. 2, c. 3
Haw's Brigade, near Fort DeRussey,
January 23, 1864.
Ed. News.—It has been said of man, in relation to his aspiration in the
literary world, that—
Thou who cannot write and thou who can,
All scrawl and scratch, and scribble to a man.
But I cannot think it applicable to this army, from the fact that our
journals seldom contain communications emanating from Walker's Division; and
that your readers may know that we are good soldiers, mostly also of a General
bearing the name of "Walker," I write these lines.
We have been in the service near two years, and it has been so active
since 8th August, 1862, that I find since said time we have marched twenty-four
hundred miles, devoured more poverty stricken beef, suffered more
from disease, and waded through more mud than any other army of the same numbers
(in the same time,) in the service. Indeed,
we are so "tough" and "casehardened" that nothing
save the enemy's balls can have any effect on our constitutions.
Some parlor General may give his lip an inimical curl and ask, "how
many battles have you fought, sir?" True
we have had no general engagement, but our boys have went wherever ordered, and
fought like all brave Texans ever do, both at Millican and Opelousas. At the latter place, the bravery and daring of our troops won
the eclat of our foe. We pass on
and give a sketch of our "blockading campaign."
On the 12th November, we crossed the Atchafalaya at Simsport;
a pontoon bridge, under the superintendence of Gen. Walker was thrown across on
the 13th, and the whole command moved to Black River, near the
Mississippi River; by the 16th we had cut ten embrasures in the
Mississippi levy and planted our cannon (masked) in sight of the enemy's fleet
at the confluence of the Red with said river.
The enemy had not discovered us, and all was ready for "the
dance" with the first transport that should come up or down.
Orders were to fire only in day time.
On the night of the 17th, a transport, fraught with troops,
came steaming past, and to the delight of all, cast anchor opposite our centre
battery. At day dawn "every
man was to his post," the steamer fired up, weighed anchor, was just in the
act of leaving, when our little batteries, peal upon peal, belched forth their
destructive missiles into the crowded decks of the transport.
At the first shot a Yankee cried out, "see, the devils are firing
into us," then nothing save the wild shrieks of the frightened, wounded and
dying foe, amid the roar or artillery and crash of timber could be
heard.—Riddled by our shot, her steam power was lost, and the "Mother of
Waters" floated the shattered boat beyond our reach.
The iron "Choctaw," highly incenses at our audacity, opened a
heavy fire, but our loss was but one man killed.
After succoring the transport, the Choctaw returned to her station.
On the 21st [?], our batteries fired into another transport,
burnt off her pilot-house, and she drifted against the willows of the opposite
bank below our batteries. The
gunboat gave the woods a terrific shelling, after having gone to the assistance
of the disabled transport. Our
casualties were one man killed of Col. Hubbard's Regt.
On the 1st December, the whole command moved down the river,
and struck camp on the 5th six miles from Morganza, on the Fordoche.
We repaired the graves of our brave comrades who fell here about two
months before. Our batteries here
blockaded the river again, and we learned from a citizen that forty men had
jumped off the second transport fired into when she drifted against the willows,
deserted their army, and reported to Logan, saying "they would fight no
such daring soldiers as those who fired into them."
On the 9th our batteries fired into, and it is believed, sunk
a transport. After blockading the
river for near a month, and doing much damage to the enemy, both with
sharpshooters, who lined the bank, and our light artillery, the Atchafalaya
rising rapidly, on the 10th December we were compelled for safety to
recross the stream at Morgan's ferry. Haw's
and Randall's Brigade are at this time near Fort DeRussey, Scurry's near
Simsport, and none of them idle, as we expect to give the enemy a warm reception
if he comes here again. Our troops
are satisfied with their officers and especially of this brigade, with their
brigade commander. Lincoln's
proclamation is looked upon here as "nonsense", and though no
end can be seen as yet to this war, with a firm hand we will continue to
"shake the pillar of despotism till it topples, though we perish amid the
ruin."
Jaques Trenck.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, February 9, 1864, p. 2, c. 5
The Louisiana Democrat of the 3d inst., says there is not a particle of
beef in Alexandria, that none can be had in that State and that the Texians will
not sell them any. The editor
complains that potatoes are five dollars per bushel and corn meal eight dollars. We would inform the editor that in this market potatoes are
$15 per bushel and corn meal $10.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, February 9, 1864, p. 2, c. 6
The Telegraph line from Shreveport to this city, is now, we learn, nearly
completed, and will be in operation in a few days.
The Tyler Reporter says a project is on foot to have that place also put
in communication with the line by another line to connect at Henderson.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, February 17, 1864, p. 2, c. 1
Eagle Pass Prices.—Cotton 19 to 21; bleached domestic 25 to 30; brown
domestic 30 to 33; cottonade 45 to 65; hickory stripes 35 to 40; denims 40 to
45; calico, American, 25; calico, Foreign 37; coffee 47 to 50; powder $1.12;
nails, keg $16 to $20; shoes, brogans $24 per dozen.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, February 17, 1864, p. 2, c. 2
A friend on the other side of the Trinity who has been engaged in
merchandise for about half a century, and who, by the way, has established a
pretty fair reputation as a man of integrity in his dealings, and has not even
been behind his neighbors in liberal contributions in support of this war,
writes us that he thinks rather hard the merchants as a class should be so much
abused, while the planters are held up as models of patriotism.
He seems willing that the merchants should bear their fair share of the
denunciations upon speculators generally, but he does not think any one class
has a right to monopolize all the patriotism in the country to the exclusion of
the merchants. He believes that all
are more or less "tarred with the same stick," all in eager
pursuit of the almighty dollar. He
says: I lately remonstrated with
some of my country friends for asking $15 for a yard of jeans, and $2 for a
pound of tallow. They replied,
"it is to keep up with you merchants for asking so much for your
goods," and yet many of them have not perhaps bought $10 worth of dry goods
since Old Abe declared war against us. I
reminds me of what I was told by a man who had just come from Houston.
He said he stopped at one of your hotels, and when about leaving, he was
completely electrified by the enormous proportions of his bill, and expostulated
with the landlord on its magnitude. He replied, "my dear sir, butter, eggs and chickens cost
so exorbitantly now a days that I really cannot make my charge any less."
To which my informant replied: "Why
my dear sir, I have now been at your house four days, and have not seen on your
table the shadow of either of the articles you have named."
This, of course, ended the coloquy; but it shows plainly that the only
reason for such high prices is to make money, and almost any excuse will be
resorted to. The truth is merchants
are a small class in the community and can be abused with impunity.
They have now very little that the planters want, and the latter are fast
learning to do without that little, while the merchants and all others are
almost wholly dependent on the planters."
There is some truth in this.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, February 17, 1864, p. 2, c. 4
[From
Affleck's Almanac.]
Gardening in Texas for February.
Kitchen Garden.—Natchez, Central Texas, &c.—Continue to sow, to
plant and to tend, as in January. Plant
a few Melons, Squashes or Cymblins, Cucumbers, Snap-beans, Okra, &c.,
protecting the young plants when needful. They
may possibly be cut down; but to have early vegetables, we must plant early, and
risk the result, using what precautions we may.
Plant out all sorts of Aromatic and Pot-herbs, Carrots, Parsnips and
turnips intended to produce seed—they should have been hung up in some dry
place in December. Another sowing
or two of Spinage may be made in soil rich enough to force it, as it will
quickly run to seed. More Peas
should be sown for succession; the same varieties named last month, as also any
of the taller sorts. Sow, also,
early Corn, Radishes, Lettuce, early and summer Cabbage, and the main crops of
Beets, Carrots, Parsnips and Salsify. Continue
to set out early Cabbage plants, in ground richly manured, and water the young
plants with liquid manure; which may be collected from the house in a cask, sunk
in the ground in some convenient spot, taking care not to apply it if strong
without diluting with water. The
Cabbage tribe requires strong food, and makes good return for a little extra
care. The finer varieties of
Broccoli will now be in perfection. As
they continue to head, should severe frost or cold rains set in, bend a leaf or
two over the flower to protect it.
New Orleans, Houston, &c.—Continue planting early dwarf Beans, Corn
and Peas. Sow more Radishes,
Spinage, Beets, Carrots, Parsnips and Salsify.
Plant now in the open ground, Squashes, Pumpkins, Cucumbers and Melons;
though the last of the month is generally early enough for the main crop. So of the Lima or Butter and Seewee Beans.
Make several plantings of Okra, to insure against a failure.
Transplant Lettuce, Cabbages and Cauliflowers into rich ground.
If the Onions are intended to form bulbs, be careful to break off the
seed stalk as it appears. Hoe earth
up and stick Peas in that are large enough.
Do not longer delay manuring, and digging or plowing all of the ground
intended for garden vegetables, that is yet unprepared.
Irish Potatoes may yet be planted, selected a cool spot and moist but
well-drained ground. Hoe and tend
all crops that need it.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, February 16, 1864, p. 2, c. 3
From San Antonio. The
editorial correspondence of the Austin Gazette, dated San Antonio, Feb. 6th,
says there was great excitement and preparations there to meet the expected
invasion of the Yankees. . .
The following extract shows the large business doing by the Mutual Aid
Association of San Antonio, and the thousands upon thousands of dollars saved to
the people. Board in San Antonio
$30 per day, and horse feed $45 per day! Well,
the Houston hotels are thrown into the shade for once:
"There is little or no business gong on here, except what is done by
the Mutual Aid Association. They
received a lot of goods which they offered for sale on Monday last, and in three
days, their sales amounted to $150,000. They
sell for Confederate money to shareholders only, or on their orders, and their
prices are about one half those charged in the other stores, where nearly
everything is valued in specie. Board
is only $30 per day and horse keep $45, yet we hear no complaints.
Everybody seems to have plenty of money, and the only grumbling is among
the store keepers, boarding house keepers, &c., who are losing money all the
time. Those who stay there, and
those who have had better bring along their own provisions and forage, and camp
out during this fine weather."
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, February 16, 1864, p. 2, c. 6
The chaplains in Ewell's and Hill's corps, army of Northern Virginia, are
enumerated as follows: Methodists,
28; Presbyterians, 15; Baptists, 10; Episcopalians, 7.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, February 24, 1864, p. 1, c. 2
Home Industry.—No people were ever impelled by such powerful motives
to resort to every branch of domestic industry, as are the people of the
Confederate States at this time, for in fact we do not believe any people were
ever before similarly situated. On
the one hand we are cut off from obtaining supplies by trade with foreign
nations, and on the other the enemy have finally determined to the extent of
their ability, to prevent the productions of supplies from our soil, or to
destroy them if produced. Nothing
short of our absolute destruction is now determined upon.
If we now and then obtain a few supplies by a successful blockade runner,
we have to pay such ruinous prices that few are able to make the purchases, and
the few factories and hand looms in the country charge about the same prices for
their products, so that nearly all families in moderate circumstances are
compelled to supply their own wants by their own industry.
This is now apparently the only alternative left us to save ourselves
from the destroying power of the enemy. We
should be as completely subjugated as completely enslaved to the Yankee racy by
allowing ourselves to be deprived of necessary food and clothing, as by the
defeat and annihilation of our armies. Our
liberties are, therefore, just as much dependent on the industry and rigid
economy of those who remain at home, as on the victories of our armies in the
field. . .
The Richmond, Va., Sentinel says:
"Much more than heretofore should housekeepers and farmers make
their arrangements for meeting all their wants by home industry and enterprise.
"It will not do to rely on importation.
Already the blockade has closed all our Atlantic ports except Wilmington;
and twenty grim steamers lie as watchers off the mouth of the Cape Fear, like so
many grimalkins at a mouse-hole. We
shall have no reason to be disappointed or surprised if the port of Wilmington
should be closed ere many months. Nor
must we rely on our factories. Look
how the prices of their products have already ascended, until they have become
unpurchasable by the multitude. This
is all according to "the laws of trade" we are told, and therefore to
be approved and applauded; but a protection must be found, and it is to be found
in home production. Besides, the
number of these mills has been reduced by fire, and the machinery of those that
remain will not last forever.
"A hundred reasons combine to urge upon every family to look to its
own resources. The hand card and
the hand loom and the spinning wheel, whose music is sweeter far than that of
the piano, should be found everywhere. All
who can should grow their patches of flax and cotton.
All should have sheep, if but a few.
Our forests furnish dyes as various and as bright as the tints that make
their foliage so glorious at "the turn of the leaf."
With these materials, there is no reason why our ladies should not be
clad in beautiful apparel, the product of their own industry and taste; while
they may clothe their husbands and sons fine enough for kings.
There is not a farmer's wife who may not easily provide clothing for all
her servants, and make some to sell besides.
"And how much more independent and happy should we all be if thus
providing for ourselves. A fig for
blockaders, we might well exclaim; nor would we be any longer exposed to the
extortioner's grip. And those
eventualities of the future to which we have alluded would bring no terror to
us. Earnestly, therefore, do we advise every one to use every
means and make every arrangement in his power to provide for the clothing of his
family from his own resources, and thus make himself independent of
manufacturers and blockade runners."
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, February 24, 1864, p. 2, c. 2
To the Ministers, Members and friends of the Church, within the bounds
of the Texas Conference.
Dear Brethren:--At the last session of the Texas Conference, a mission to
the Confederate States army in the Trans-Miss. Department was established, Five
Missionaries were appointed and their support provided for.
As superintendent of the Mission, I have authority to employ other
Missionaries, and to raise the means for their support.
It is my earnest desire on the part of the Texas Conference, and in
cooperation with other Conferences and other churches, to throw something like
an adequate ministerial force into all the Confederate armies in the
Trans-Mississippi Department. This
is demanded by the pressing religious wants of the army, by the scarcity of
Chaplains, by the readiness of the soldiers to receive the word of life, and by
the encouraging work now in progress in some of our armies.
At Galveston, at Virginia Point, on Caney and elsewhere, the Lord is
reviving this work under the preaching of his word.
Large, attentive, serious congregations; wrestling penitents and joyous
converts indicate that God is blessing us in the army.
"The harvest is great, but the laborers are few." We need more preachers, good preachers—earnest and devoted
men of God, who are willing to work, to submit to privations, and "endure
hardness as good soldiers of Christ," cheered by the triumphs of a more
successful ministry than they have known heretofore. Cannot the presiding Elders furnish some suitable men, whose
place can be supplied? Are there
not preachers whose souls are moved toward this work? Are there not local preachers willing either to preach to the
soldiers, or to take the lace of those who can go? Will not the members and friends of the church give liberally
of their means to this good cause?
I have employed four missionaries in addition to those appointed at
Conference, and wish to employ several others, and must, in some way, raise the
means for their support. Our
business being that of preaching to the soldiers, we must rely, mainly, on those
engaged in the home work to do this. Presiding
Elders, preachers in circuits or stations, local preachers, members and friends
of the church—to you this appeal is made; and it is made under a deep sense of
the need of help in this great missionary work.
I know something of Texian liberality and feel sure that this call will
not be in vain. Let those who may
choose to go as missionaries, report at once; and let collections and
subscriptions be immediately taken, as I desire to supply and systematize our
mission to the armies in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and the Indian Nation, as
full and quickly as possible.
Another object of the donations now earnestly solicited, is that we may
be able to supply the necessities of the destitute soldiers wherever we go.
We anticipate a large amount of usefulness in this field of benevolent
enterprise; and we invite the patriotic and christian people of Texas to sustain
us in it.
Capt. Sandford Gibbs, of Huntsville, is the Secretary of the mission, who
will keep in a permanent from [sic—form] an accurate record of receipts and
endorsements. Those who raise means
for our army mission are requested to report accurately the amounts of donations
and reliable subscriptions, the names of parties making them, the time when
made, and the circuit or station to whose credit they are to be set down.
Any layman or friend of the cause, wishing to donate any amount to this
cause, can hand the amount or his name for it at a given time, to any traveling
preacher, who will report it in the name of the donor to Capt. Gibbs.
Our preachers whose fields of labor lie contaguous [sic] to any portion
of our army are earnestly requested to give as much of their time and labor to
the soldiers as they can, and to keep an account of the same until it may be
noted down in the records of the mission.
By way of adopting a safe and general rule, I would request any one who
may wish to go into the army, to forward me his name, the size of his family,
the amount he thinks he will need for a support, together with a recommendation
from a presiding Elder, or some other well known member or members of the
Conference, as to his suitableness for the work.
The salary of a missionary is designed to be quite sufficient, though the
amount will be graduated in the payment of the last installment,
according to the decision or advice of the Committee on Missions at our next
Conference.
There is also a call for Chaplains, and I have been requested to look out
for men suitable for that important work. Any
desirous of a Chaplaincy can forward their recommendations as above.
Christian men and women of Texas! Several
of your churches are represented in the missionary work and in the chaplaincy of
the army. "Pray for us."
It would be pleasant and encouraging, under the pressure of arduous and
almost incessant labor, amid the camp fires of this mighty revolution, to know
that in your stated public services, around your family altars and in your
closets, we were remembered at the throne of grace.
Your united fervent prayers would surely bring down "showers of
blessings" upon the brave defenders of our homes and our all.
Brethren, pray for us.
W. H. Seat,
Superintendent Texas Army Mission.
Camp Sydney Johnston, Feb. 15, 1865
N.B.—Address me at Huntsville, Texas, care of Capt. Sandford Gibbs.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, February 23, 1864, p. 2, c. 2
A correspondent informs the Telegraph that the ladies of Gonzales county
have raised the handsome sum of $11,100, to be equally divided between Waul's
Legion and the Terry Rangers. If
the ladies of every county in Texas would do as much for the Texas troops, they
would certainly be amply supplied with all they want.
But such evidence of the devotion of the ladies of Texas in their behalf,
even independent of the relief afforded, would stimulate them beyond all other
considerations, to encounter every peril and endure every hardship in behalf of
those whom they thus see laboring day and night to supply all their wants.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, March 2, 1864, p. 1, c. 3
Meat and Bread.—The Natchitoches Union says:
We have no more meat at the market.
The reason, says the butcher, is that no more beeves can be procured in
the country. It is a very good
reason, if such is really the case, nevertheless, it portends hard times in
store for a certain class of the people. Of
course we don't allude to those whose herds are grazing and feeding in well
provided pasture grounds—they will get along.
Another question—a most serious one, too—is that of bread. We don't allude, here neither to the bread of the fortunate
ones above mentioned, to the forbidden wheat bread; we only mean here, the bread
of the poor, of the soldier's wife and children—the corn bread.
That is also denied the people here.
That indispensable article—the corn meal—formerly sent around by the
neighboring planters, to be sold to the population of the town, is now cut off.
The reason given for so doing, is so miserable, so guilty, so unnatural,
that we refrain from stating it until more particularly informed.
As this is a subject admitting of no half measure, as the people must
live; as hunger and starvation are the worst of advisers in a comparatively well
provided country, we will return more particularly to this subject in a future
number.—Natchitoches Chronicle.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, March 2, 1864, p. 1, c. 7
Victoria, Feb. 16, 1864.
Mr. Editor:-- . . . The hum of the spinning wheel and the clatter of the loom is
heard in almost every house. The
people are wide awake to the necessity of making their own clothing; and ladies,
old and young, are doing service to their country and to themselves by their
developments of our great staples, cotton and wool.
Long may the new feature last! Its
adoption, a long time ago, would have rendered us independent of Northern rule;
its continuance will secure the independence for which we are battling. . . .
West.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, March 2, 1864, p. 2, c. 6
Letter
from Tennessee.
Tunnell Hill, Dec. 24th, 1864.
Dear Father:--To-day two years ago I was enjoying the comforts of home,
and the association of the fireside; it is quite the reverse to-day.
I am hovering around a little smoky fire, trying to keep warm, in the
mountains of northern Georgia, where the winds seem to blow from icy regions,
and every blast that comes seems but to remind one of the blessings of the
hearthstone.
We Texians feel very lonely at times, away a long distance from those we
love. I have guarded against
becoming homesick all the while until since the last two battles of Missionary
Ridge and Ringold, since which, I have been considerbly [sic] effected [sic]
with that terrible disease, from which no comfort seems to arise.
I have passed through so many narrow escapes for my life lately, that I
sometimes think that if I go into another battle, without seeing homefolks, I
never will be permitted to enjoy that much sought for privilege.
At the fight of Missionary Ridge our brigade displayed great courage and
chivalry. Attacked by overwhelming numbers, they stood firm to their
ground and drove the Yankees with great slaughter.
Desperate charges were made by both parties, but the Yankees never
reached our line. The nearest man
that approached was a negro; he got within twenty feet of our battery, and was
struck on the head with a rock and instantly killed. Rocks were used very frequently by our boys when they got too
close to load, and with considerable effect.
We captured in one charge five stand of colors. . .
Oh! the horribleness of this war!
Will it never end and peace and harmony reign once more in this broad
land of ours? Humanity answers it
should—the promptings of civilization answers it should; the demands of the
world answers it should; but the barbarous passions of a ruthless enemy will
still continue it. A little girl
said to me the other day—"why Captain, these Yankees are worse than the
devil—they burn up houses and people, and nobody makes them do it."
This little girl had just come out of the Yankee lines.
She was only eight years old, but had noticed the barbarity of the
Yankees. Nothing can exceed the inhumanity of those people.
Shall I call them civilized people?
They hardly deserve the appellation, and were it not, that they are
formed in human shape, I would not deign to call them such, but assign them a
place among the nations of the barborous [sic] ages, among whom the light of
civilization never shown.
Our soldiers are going into winter quarters, constructing small log huts.
The troops are rather poorly clad—wanting shoes and socks very much,
and the prospect for getting them is rather slim.
I am more poorly clad at this time, than I ever was at any previous
period. Our money is so depreciated
that it will not purchase what we want. I
have money plenty, or as much as I can use in purchasing little things for
present purposes, but cannot find good articles of clothing for winter.
I have sent up for a furlough to go to Noxubra county; if I should get
it, I will be able to supply myself with clothing down there.
Very few furloughs are granted now, especially for Texans.
Our men frequently cross the river, and the authorities are unwilling to
grant permits of absence.
According to the reports of the Adjutant General, there are absent from
this army twenty-six thousand men, a good army in itself.
My old native State is losing some of her prowess and chivalry—this I
regret very much, as I am so near her, and have to acknowledge my nativity.
Texans are the only troops that have preserved their chivalry
untarnished. I have never heard of
a Texas regiment or brigade running, on this side of the Mississippi river.
I feel proud of the reputation of my State, though her soldiers have
suffered perhaps more than any others. Cut
off from home—debarred the privilege of frequent communication with their
families—all this has been very trying to the Texans.
But, I think as they were among the first to come out, they will be the
last to leave the field of contest.
Our Texas troops in this army have been neglected in one particular.
We have no hospital for them controlled by our State at all.
While great sums have been spent in Virginia, where there was but one
brigade, we have been entirely neglected here, where there are many brigades.
Now, as that brigade has been transferred to this Department, I hope our
friends at home will see that some of the funds appropriated for Texas hospitals
be used in this Department.
A great deal has been done by a few of the noble citizens of Georgia; our
boys have been invited to their houses, to share their hospitality, and many
lives, no doubt, have been saved in this way.—Many thanks are due to Col.
Walker, of Wharton, Texas, for the kindness shown our men.
He has taken care of about thirty soldiers since the battle of
Chicamauga. I feel very thankful
that I have never been wounded to any extent.
I have been in the field all the while, never absent more than a day at a
time. . .
J. F. Matthews.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, March 2, 1864, p. 2, c. 5
The Louisiana Democrat gives the following touching incident:
A gallant and beautiful boy, of only sixteen years, mortally wounded in a
terrible encounter, and sent to a hospital to be soothed and provided for in his
last extremity, was anxiously looking for the advent of his mother.
As his sight grew dim, and his life was ebbing away, he mistook a
sympathetic lady, who was cooling his parched lips, and wiping the clammy
perspiration from his marble brow, for the fondly expected one, and with a smile
of joy lighting up his pale face, he nestled his head in her bosom like a
sleeping infant, and thus he died, with the sweet word, mother, on his quivering
lips.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, March 2, 1864, p. 2, c. 5
We have heard it stated that more than half the poor children within a
circumference of two miles of the Courthouse in Houston, are and have been
during the past winter, destitute of shoes.
Indeed, the present prices of shoes are almost beyond the reach of those
in better circumstances.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, March 9, 1864, p. 1, c. 1
For the News.]
How to Raise from Five to Ten Bushels Tomatoes on Four Feet of
Land.—The one end of a hogshead set in the ground, the top to be eight inches
below the surface, fill with stones or brick bats, cover over with flat rocks or
boards, have a spout or pipe so arranged as to convey water from the surface
into the hogshead, make a hill of rich earth on the top of the hogshead, plant
tomatoes, cucumbers or squashes on the h ill, plant posts so as to make good and
convenient trellises to support the vines off the earth, then keep the hogshead
supplied bountifully with water during the entire summer and fall, thus assuring
a large crop.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, March 9, 1864, p. 2, c. 3
The following letter will be read with interest, and I trust that it may
have a good effect. It was written
by Miss Emma Sansom, the young lady who guided General Forrest in his memorable
capture of Gen. Streight and his raiders in Alabama, last year.
The letter is in response to the one written by Gov. Shorter, when
transmitting the resolutions of the Legislature to Miss Sansom.
You will recollect that Streight and his men were captured in Cherokee
county, Alabama, which is within a few miles of Miss Sansom's home:
Gadsden, Ala., Dec. 20, 1863.
To his Excellency, Gov. Shorter—
Respected Sir:--I must acknowledge your quite complimentary communication
of Nov. 27, '63; and in doing so tender my gratitude for the more than expected
respect shown me for having done my duty. At
the time the duty was performed it was a pleasure to be able to render some
service to my country, and give aid to our noble cause.
There are other duties that would seem more becoming and adapted to my
sex, but feeling it my high privilege upon such an occasion, I went forward
inspired by a sense of duty and of the purest motives, willing to hazard woman's
timidity in giving aid to impede the onward march of the marauding foe.
In conclusion, I must acknowledge my profound gratitude for the very
liberal donation by the State, and while I continue to live, I shall endeavor to
render myself not more unworthy your high respect than heretofore.
I have the satisfaction to be very respectfully
Your friend
Emma Sanson. [sic]
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, March 16, 1864, p. 1, c. 1
Ed. News.—Having suffered from vaccination with the impure vaccine
matter so extensively circulated over the country, and experimented until I
found a successful remedy, you will please publish it for the benefit of those
suffering. Take sage leaves and
vinegar, boil together, thicken with corn meal, and make poultice, apply to the
wound for three days and nights, changing morning and night for fresh one, and
treat constitutionally as follows: Take
1 tablespoonful sulphur, 1 do of cream tartar, mixed with molasses, every other
morning, and every other morning a dose of salts and cream tartar.
When the poultice is changed, the sore should be washed with camphor.
This course faithfully followed will cure the worst arm in the State in
less than one week.
Yours, &c.,
O. A. McGinnis
Moscow, Texas, Feb. 27th, 1864.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, March 16, 1864, p. 2, c. 1
"Our next army mail" will leave in charge of Mr. Adams about
the 25th inst. He will
take money or valuable entrusted to his care, on commission.
Letters to be taken by him should be forwarded to us without delay,
accompanied with $5 each.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, March 16, 1864, p. 2, c. 5
Southerners
in New York—Their
Numbers, Resources & Quality.
[From the N. Y. Commercial.]
It is estimated that there are about 25,000 Southern people sojourning in
this city and its environs, Brooklyn, Hoboken and Jersey City.
They are mostly refugees, and may be divided into three classes,
namely—the secessionists, the no-siders and the Unionists. They stay at the hotels, they lodge in private boarding
houses, and they rent our finest mansions; yet they keep so quiet, affiliating
only with a choice coterie of friends and sympathisers, that but few of
us are aware of their presence. In
fact their advent among us has had an effect to make rents high and houses
scarce. Among them are some of the
highest families of the South, whose names history loves to report, and men who,
a few years ago, were fabulously wealthy. Numbers
of them own valuable real estate in this city, or are interested to a
considerable extent in various insurance companies, banks, etc.
On the other hand, hundreds of them are absolutely dependent on their
Northern relatives for their daily bread. These
cases are generally widows, with their little ones, whose fathers have been
killed in the war, the widow robbed of the little estate her husband had left
her, and who has returned to the home of her youth, which she left years ago,
happy and proud, as the bride of a planter's son.
The
Secessionists.
Of this class are the rich, those whose every interest is at stake when
the 'peculiar institution' is in jeopardy.
A great many of these are of Northern birth.
They cherish the doctrine of secession with religious zeal, and are
bigoted beyond all reason. Many of
them have sons in the Confederate service, with whom they have frequent
intercourse. They also receive the Southern papers regularly.
Most of this class came North because they could live cheaper and better
there, during the war, than they could if they stayed at the South, while some
came with the double purpose of escaping the Southern conscription and to save
their Northern property from confiscation.
They are blind worshipers of Jeff Davis.
When worse comes to the worse, and nothing can save the South from
defeat, they will fly to Europe, where they imagine they will be received like
princes. They effect to care
nothing about slavery, whether it exists or not, the question now being, whether
or not the North shall rule the South. This
class is in the minority of our Southern visitors.
The
Unionists.
This class is in the majority. It
consists chiefly of Southerners, includes some of the most respectable and old
families of the South, especially of Virginia and the border States. Some of them came on here before the war, thinking that they
could pass the time pleasantly and quietly until the difficulties were settled,
which, coinciding with Mr. Seward they looked upon as an affair of a few months.
They then hoped to return to their homes, but finding that such was not
the case, they concluded to stay here, eke out a living as best they could, some
in business and some in Government employ.
The gentlemen were unaccustomed to the heavy business which fell to their
share, if they found anything to do, and many were unable to get work. The only resource left was that the ladies should do fancy
work for the stores, or, (and these cases are few, as they had no friends to
give security for the rent,) open a private boarding house.
The sufferings of this class have been terrible.
A large family which had lived in a palace at the South, passed the whole
winter, last year, in one small garret room, in a tenement house.
Many of these ladies have, so we understand, obtained work from the New
York depository, by which they have managed to support a family.
The
No-Siders.
This class consists chiefly of the border State people, Southerners who
own no property, and Northern wives of deceased planters, who have as great
interests at the North as in the South. Others
have arrived since the war began, having had a taste of the perils of frontier
life. This class is by far the best
off. They think they will not be
materially affected as individuals, no matter which side is victorious.
If the South, they trust they can make it all right again with their old
comrades; if the North, why they are all right already.
So they watch the conflict with apathy, and so they live a life that has
little in it to redeem it from the absolute contempt of the loyal, or of those
who have decided convictions.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, March 23, 1864, p. 2, c. 7
We are compelled to issue this first number of the twenty first volume of
the Weekly News on brown paper, for though we have just received a small supply
of white paper it came to hand too late for this issue.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, March 30, 1864, p. 1, c. 5
Lavaca, March 19th 1864.
Mr. Editor:--The Yankees have left Indianola and retired to Saluria.
This event took place on last Sunday, 13th inst.
The news was received at this "Sleepy Hollow," by way of Texana
and Victoria on Friday, 18th inst.
Be it remembered that Lavaca is about nine miles, in a straight line from
Indianola, and has its several lookouts, from which, with telescopes, the
movements of the enemy have been carefully watched for nearly four months.
I would not be surprised, if the denizens of this interesting spot should
hear of the close of the war, at least four months after the proclamation of
peace.
Much in the item way comes to us from our pickets, who entered the
deserted quarters of the enemy yesterday. It
appears that but five of the male citizens have been left behind by the enemy. A young lady of Powderhorn, writing to a female friend here,
says that "Gen. Warren gave orders, when they got ready to leave for every
man who was liable to be conscribed in the Confederate service, to go with them.
Those who refused were arrested and taken any how."
Several men were treated with great inhumanity and one, a noble Texan and
as brave a spirit as ever resisted oppression, James L. Allen, was manacled and
torn from his distressed family, because of his determined resistance to the
oppressor.
To the credit of the sex, one woman only, and she an old Texian,
presented herself before the Yankee Provost Marshal and swore allegiance to
Lincoln. The rest, like heroines,
stuck to the Confederate flag and wept tears of joy when the Confederate
soldiers entered the town. In the letter above alluded to, the writer says, "I have
looked for the rebels until my eyes ached; I feel another somebody since I saw
them. When the Yankees first came
here I was afraid to go to the door when any one knocked. I found out that would never do, so I made up my mind to face
anything, and I got so brave I wasn't afraid of a Yankee even.
I think I would make a good soldier."
The maximum of the Yankee force was 2,500 men.
They were much demoralized, and during the larger portion of their stay
were badly supplied with necessaries. They
were in continual apprehension of an attack from our troops, and on occasions,
when our scouts approached near the two towns, their whole force was drawn out
in battle array.
I will go down to morrow, and on my return will furnish you with
information connected with the last four months' operations below.
West.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, March 30, 1864, p. 1, c. 5
Lavaca, March 22, 1864.
Mr. Editor.—On assuming possession of Powderhorn and Indianola, the
first act of aggression by the Yankees on the citizens was to demand food at
their hands, for the soldiery. On
the exhaustion of the limited supplies of food, rations were then issued to the
soldiers and citizens. The citizens
were thus made to depend on Yankee diet for their sustenance.
Shortly afterwards, the proclamation of Gen. Dana requiring the oath of
allegiance to the United States was promulgated. Without the means of living, except from the Yankee
commissariat, and unable to obtain permission to retire beyond the lines,
finding themselves trapped, they had no alternative but to take the oath or the
consequences to result from a failure to do so.
Under such circumstances, all, with one exception, the noble James S.
Allen, succumbed to the vicious influence exercised over them, and went forward
and forsook their allegiance to the Confederacy.
That the most of them did so reluctantly, we have abundance of evidence.
Indeed, the Yankees asserted that out of all who took the oath, only a
single man was an unadulterated unionist. Mr.
Allen addressed a remonstrance to the commanding officer of the Post, asserting
his live for the government of his choice and his determination never to forsake
it. The reply to his letter was an
order for his confinement in irons. He
was then sent to Saluria, in charge of a negro guard, and I suppose is still
there.
The Rev. Green Orr, an old gentleman of seventy-six years, and, for the
last fifty years, a minister of God in the Methodist Episcopal Church, was one
of the last who was forced to yield to their unholy influences.
In the agony of his shame at what he had done, he took to his bed, and in
his delirium before his death, bewailed the unhappy fate that had forced him to
disown his loved and native South. His
last words were "we'll drive you out of Indianola yet."
Many of the citizens after taking the oath, were taunted as rebels to the
last, their persons threatened and the exterior of their houses spoiled.
Even those whose sympathies were with them fared no better than the
secessionists. Their privacy was
invaded at all hours, and demands of all kinds, with which they were forced to
comply, were made upon them by a rapacious soldiery, for all they wanted.
After the terms of the proclamation were complied with, and when they
were about to evacuate the two places, an order was issued to all male citizens
to embark with them. This order
fell like a thunderbolt in the midst of the community.
The order was afterwards so modified as not to include those over fifty
years of age. The consequence was,
that all were taken away except about twelve or fifteen of the oldest males.
Many of those who were thus forced off took their families with them.
Those men will, no doubt, be enrolled in the Yankee army. Tears of shame bedewed the cheeks of many as they left their
former happy homes.
In both towns, seventy-four houses were taken down, and most of the
others injured, more or less. All
the fences were destroyed. The
Marine Hospital, a building of large dimensions, was left a wreck.
Its venitian [sic] blinds, doors and windows were all destroyed, and
parts of the foundation torn up. The
Court-house was used as an hospital, and suffered less damage than any other
building. The furniture of the
Court-house and the several offices has all disappeared.
Every place is covered with filth and vermin. One hundred and fifty head of beef cattle, remaining in the
pens, were shot down as they were leaving.
It would require a good-sized volume to detail all the rascalities
perpetrated by these villains. And
still there are Texians who advocate their cause, and who are willing to cast
their lot amongst them!
Casimere Villeneuve, whose fine buildings were the headquarters of the
head devils, suffered much at their hands.
Insults were daily heaped upon him and his wife.
Their valuables were taken, piece by piece, until silver spoons, forks
and everything else disappeared. He
says they are "savages," and that he will proclaim their shame
throughout France, to which country he is about to retire with his family.
I made a mistake in my last, in stating that their force amounted to only
2500 men. They had nineteen skeleton regiments, amounting to upwards of
5000 rank and file.
West.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, April 6, 1864, p. 2, c. 1
Paper is getting so scarce that we do not know how soon we may be
compelled to make a virtue of necessity and take a holiday.
Some of our readers doubtless think our present price very high, but the
prospect now is that we will not be able to give them a paper much longer at any
price. We have sent money and
orders in various directions long since, and we occasionally hear of paper on
the way at a price that we never before heard or dreamed.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, April 6, 1864, p. 2, c. 3
Rebel Torpedoes.
A Yankee Washington correspondent dating the 6th March, says:
Private letters, received here from off Charleston, give some interesting
particulars of the sinking of the Housatonic by a rebel torpedo, which do not
appear in the official account. It
is not known on our side that the machine carried any crew; on the contrary, it
is supposed the torpedo was of a new kind lately invented by the rebels, which
are rendered self-moving by clock work, and was brought down the harbor,
directed towards the fated vessel, and started by the internal machinery the
concussion being relied upon for exploding it.
When first seen, about one hundred yards from the Housatonic it looked
like a broad plank upon the water, and there were no signs of its propulsion by
steam or man power. It struck two
minutes after first seen, and exploded in about one minute directly under the
stern. The power of the explosion
was terrific, tearing out the stern completely, breaking through the gun and
spar decks and shattering the huge beams above them.
The Housatonic sunk immediately, the officers and crew being pushed to
save themselves by ascending the rigging as she went down.
If this torpedo was a self moving one, it is the first instance where
such machines have accomplished practical results, though much time, labor and
expense has been of late years devoted to attaining success on this peculiar
branch of warfare by nearly all civilized nations.
Under these circumstances, the event must be accepted as evidence of the
energy, perseverance and inventive genius of the rebels, though the application
of these attributes in such a manner is justly open to the charge of
barbarousness.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, April 20, 1864, 1, c. 1
Flake's Bulletin of yesterday says the Provost Marshal of Galveston has
succeeded in arresting nine negroes while in the act of going over to the
blockaders. A guard was placed at the place of their intended embarkation,
some five miles below the city. They
are now undergoing examination. Some
of them were captured Yankee negroes, and others belonged to our citizens.
About eight or ten more were to have started with them, but were not able
to meet at the time and place appointed.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, April 20, 1864, p. 1, c. 3
Shreveport, April 13th, 1864.
. . . A distressing affair occurred on Sunday night about 2 o'clock. The large Baptist Church in Mansfield, used for a hospital,
caught fire by accident, and in a short time was totally consumed, together with
one of the gallant wounded. The
fire occurred in the following manner: A
nurse in the hospital let a lighted candle fall on the cotton scattered over the
floor, which immediately caught and spread over the building almost as quick as
a flash of gunpowder. The whole
building was almost instantly enveloped in flames, and the wounded were secured
with the utmost difficulty. Some
poor fellows, no doubt, in being dragged out, suffered intense agony, but I did
not hear a groan from but a single man, and he had been dragged at least 100
yards.
Many of the prisoners that I saw were raw Germans and Irish, some of them
but a few months from the "ould country."
Many of them were zouaves, with flowing red pants, that looked, at a
distance like a short petticoat. One
of the German regiments was captured en masse.
Our men were about to fire upon them, when one of the leaders cried out
in the "sweet silvery accents" of his native land:
"Shentleman, don't shoot we does give right up." . . .
M.E.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, April 20, 1864, p. 1, c. 4
Burning
of the Hospital at Mansfield, La.
On the night of the 11th inst., a church, occupied as a
Hospital in Mansfield, La., accidentally caught fire from a candle, placed near
the cotton on which a wounded man was lying, and rapidly extended to the other
beds and to the entire building.
About seventy men, seven of whom were Federals, were in the building at
the time. But few nurses were present at the time and many of the
wounded were forced to save themselves by flight or perish in the flames.
Some even jumped from the windows. Others
were dragged forth, causing the most excruciating torture.
One, who could not be found in the smoke and confusion, and unable to
save himself, perished in the flames.
Orion.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, April 20, 1864, p. 1, c. 6
[From
the Montgomery Advertiser]
Vandalism of the Enemy at Brandon, Miss.
[Extract of a Private Letter.]
Gen. McPherson's corps entered our little town on Sunday last, about
noon, went into camp and remained until about sunrise next morning.
They had scarcely got out of hearing distance before General Harlburt,
with his troops entered, and were very destructive throughout the whole country
where they have passed; not a family but has suffered most severely, as they
left Vicksburg with orders to depend on the country for sustenance. Papa has been one of the heaviest sufferers so far as heard
from in this part of the country. The
thieving rascals reached our premises whilst we were at the dinner table on
Sunday, and kept up their plundering and stealing until dark, when their pickets
were stationed and they were ordered inside their lines.
Had it not been for that, I suppose every earthly thing we possess would
have been destroyed. Some of their brigades were camped opposite our house, and
some of their pickets were stationed at the corner of my room.
All through the night a crowd of the scamps were sitting around the
fireside. Oh!
how I trembled with fear. Such
a time I never before spent, and never imagined I ever would.
Every horse and mule Papa had, was taken away, hogs killed, and all the
poultry taken. In the smokehouse
nothing was left, except some meal which they emptied on the floor.
Not a single pound of meat or sugar were we able to save, and none had
been sent off. In the house there
was not a trunk, drawer, wardrobe, desk or anything they did not plunder, and
plunder well; and the contents scattered over the floor, and every thing stolen
they wished. Not a garment of yours
did they leave, excepting a few pairs of socks and some collars.
A great deal of S's and my clothing was stolen; silk dresses, embroidered
handkerchiefs, silk stockings and B's beautiful little hat and cloak, and
something of everything; it is impossible to mention all.
My money and jewelry I managed to save by having them buried.
Sister L. lost nearly everything in the way of clothing.
What was left of hers was torn into pieces or abused in some way.
Papa had nothing left but what he was wearing.
Every bed was stripped of clothing.
We managed to beg a few pieces from some of the thieves, but only enough
for one bed; this one bed was the only one used for three nights, some of us
sleeping one portion of the night, and the others the balance.
For three meals we had nothing but roasted potatoes to eat, and since
that time what we have eaten has been done with our fingers—not a knife or
fork was left, and but little earthenware.
Mama has not even a coffee-pot left.
All this stealing was done before our eyes, and neither words or tears
would prevent it. Isn't it
dreadful? Isn't it too much to be endured?
The rougish [sic] vagabonds how I do hate them! I
hate them more now than I did the evening I saw them sneaking off with all we
cared for—and so it will be every day that I live.
I was questioned a great deal in regard to my rebel husband, and advised,
when I saw him next, to send him down to Vicksburg and let him become a good
Unionist. I told them you would die first.
A. G. Margue's residence was burned; the Methodist Church, Post office
and Government stables around town, and some other small buildings were burned.
Many others were fired, but the citizens succeeded in putting them out.
In fact, every house on the square was fired.
Martin's store was robbed of everything.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, April 20, 1864, p. 2, c. 1
The Memphis Bulletin of the 30th says:
"We have further interesting news from La.
Banks is pursuing a victorious course, and the gunboats cause the rebels
to run whenever they appear."
The following from the correspondent of the Bulletin, under date Fort
DeRussey, March 15th, should not be lost:
"I should not be a faithful historian if I omitted to mention that
the conduct of the troops since the late raid of Gen. Sherman, is becoming very
prejudicial to our good name and to our efficiency.
A spirit of destruction and wanton ferocity seems to have seized upon
many of them, which is quite incredible. At
Red River landing they robbed a house of several thousand dollars in specie, and
then fired the house to conceal their crime.
At Simmsport a party of them stole out and robbed and insulted a family
only two miles distant.
M. E.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, April 27, 1864, p. 2, c. 6
The Shreveport News of the 19th says:
We understand that the Hotel in Jefferson, Texas, has been converted into
a Hospital, by the military authorities.
The following was found posted up at Marmaduke's headquarters, after he
left:
Notice.
Gen. Frederick Steel comes stealing along,
Stealing our hogs and stealing our corn,
Stealing our sheep, and stealing our cows,
And stealing the steel from off our plows.
Steal on Gen. Steel, ere long you may feel
The blighting effects of very cold steel.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, April 27, 1864, p. 2, c. 4
The following extract of a letter from a highly respectable acquaintance
at Monroe, to a prominent gentleman here, will give you an insight into the
Yankee doings at Monroe. The writer
says:
"As this is the first opportunity I have had of writing to you per
mail or otherwise, since the late raid of
the Yankees to this place, I embrace it to say to you that they did no damage to
the Land office here. Neither the
Register's nor my office were entered, or in any way disturbed.
They carried off some three or four thousand bales of cotton and almost
two thousand negroes. All of mine
were taken, leaving me without a domestic assistant.
Many other families were left in a similar situation.
I have learned that none of the negroes of our mutual friend Mr._____
were taken. His son lost about
sixty. Had they remained a few days
longer, it is probable that all the negroes of the place and vicinity would have
left.
The burned the Court House, Jail, Rail Road Depot and office, and
destroyed the rail road bridge across the Ouachita.
The river is falling very rapidly and very little apprehension is felt of
their making another thieving excursion to this place, by water, this
season."
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, May 4, 1864, p. 1, c. 5
Lavaca, April 24th, 1864.
. . . Yesterday evening, about 4 ½ o'clock, as I and the party with me
approached Chocolate Bayou, we noticed a dark smoke rising from the town. In a few minutes the flames burst forth in tremendous
volumes, and raged for two hours. Unable
from our distance, of about five miles, to learn any thing of the extent of the
fire, we were compelled to wait the departure of the enemy, to obtain the news
connected with their stay.
On their departure this morning, we immediately started to town, and
found, when we arrived, that the fire was wide-spread, consuming a square and a
half, in the very centre of the town. It
was, no doubt, the work of a Yankee incendiary.
It burst out in the second story of Vandenbergh's warehouse and spread
right and left, consuming the property of the following citizens:
Two store houses of William Moses, the dwelling of Major Kerr, the
Post-Office, Vanderbergh's warehouses, the Railroad House, Randall warehouse,
the Brown House, jeweller's store adjoining, Barney Mooney's bar-room and
restaurant, and store adjoining, belonging to
B. F. Kauffman; C. Monod's three large warehouses and dwelling, the Cook
buildings, consisting of store houses and dwelling. Altogether about thirty houses, large and small, were
consumed in the very centre of the business part of the town. The loss is very heavy; how much the amount, I cannot now
say. Capts. Brown and Pendexter and
Mr. Marye suffered heavily, in the loss of furniture. Threats had been made against the town and its citizens by
Dr. Rosencranz, (another of our
refugees,) on his landing from the steamers.
It is certain that the fire was the work of an incendiary, as
Vandenburgh's warehouse, since last July, when it was fully repaired, was kept
under lock and key. Two yankee
soldiers were seen issuing from the back premises, just before the fire broke
out. The inference is, therefore,
fair that the fire was placed in our midst for the destruction of the town. . .
Whilst every courtesy was shown to the citizens by General Warren, he
declares that, if his resident sympathisers (and a very hard set they were and
are) were interfered with by the citizens, he would visit condign punishment
upon the town and its rebel inhabitants. Now,
the citizens, for their own safety, are not willing to meet out the full measure
of justice to this set, but in my opinion, they should be placed where they
could do no more harm. We have got
rid of the principals, Col. Wesley Ogden, who went to Abraham's bosom this
morning, with a score of others; but then, our old He, Saltmarsh, has
been foisted on us by Gen. Warren, who declared that if a hair on his head is
touched, he will make us smoke for it. This
same old He is again flourishing at the San Antonio House.
He was sent away from here nearly two years ago by the Provost Marshal.
Gen. Bee, however, to whose tender care he was committed, very kindly
permitted him to return amongst us, and now Gen. Warren declares that the act of
Gen. Bee was meritorious, and insists that he shall retain his domicile here.
A thousand details could be given of the presence of the Abrahamites
here. Every citizen who remained in
the place is full to overflowing of their actings and doings, but as I have been
here only about an hour, and am compelled to hurry this letter for the
messenger, who is about starting, I must close.
West.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, May 4, 1864, p. 1, c. 5-6
Under date of April 12th, Capt. Boren, of this place, writes
to his sister (says the Tyler Reporter) as follows: . . .
"Prisoners are being brought in every day.—Before Banks gets his
army safe under the shot and shell of his gunboats, we will capture not less
than five thousand.
"They will all be sent to Texas, and in all probability to Tyler.
If they are sent to Tyler, I wish they may receive just such treatment as
Confederate States soldiers have at their hands. I could not regret their death by starvation, for as they
came up from Alexandria they devastated the whole country. All live stock, and all provision of every description, were
taken from helpless women and children. Their
furniture was burnt and broken up. Beds and every article of clothing was taken or destroyed.
Ladies told me that the Yankees acted so much like fiends, that they were
compelled to seek refuge in the woods, where they remained two days and
nights."
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, May 4, 1864, p. 2, c. 6
We have seen samples of the guns now being manufactured in Tyler Armory,
and pronounce them, according to our judgment, the finest army pieces we have
ever seen. The "Hill Rifle" for cavalry, and the "Texas
Rifle" for infantry, are hard to beat, while the "short Hill
Rifle," intended for artillery, is a perfect model of beauty and
convenience. Col. Mill [sic], in
charge of Ordnance Works here, has the very important qualification as an
officer of doing what he undertakes well.—Tyler Reporter.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, May 11, 1864, p. 1, c. 2
Shreveport, April 30th, 1864.
. . . Twenty-six disloyal persons were sent up from Natchitoches, and reached
here yesterday afternoon. A noted
horse-racer, by the name of Small, is one of them, and several women, not the
brightest specimens of the sex at that. They
came up in wagons, and were lodged in jail.
About 2000 of the Federal prisoners, taken in Arkansas, will be through
here to-day. . .
M.E.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, May 11, 1864, p. 1, c. 4
Tulip, Ark., May 21, 1864.
Ed. News:--On the 30th of April we overtook the enemy at the
Saline river and fought them. General
Smith assumed command of the army in the field at Camden, and directed its
movements up to this time. The
pursuit was vigorous and the course of the Yankees marked with the destruction
of property. Everything of wearing apparel from baby clothes to cavalry
over-coats, as well as feather beds and bed clothing, wagons, buggies, ordnance,
tools, stationery, and in fact almost every kind of thing you can imagine, was
found along the route. Notwithstanding
the enemy had destroyed, as they supposed, all means of our army crossing the
river, our engineers rigged up a raft so that by 10 o'clock the morning after
they had left Camden we were across the river and in pursuit.
We traveled fifty miles in less than two days and overtook them with our
infantry at the Saline river. Our
cavalry caught them the morning before and skirmished with them all day. . . .
[description of battle]. The battle
was fought on their side principally with Dutch and negroes, and contested with
determined stubbornness. I cannot
say that we achieved a great victory. We
kept the ground, but they accomplished their object, that is, they escaped with
about 500 negroes, men, women, and children, which they had picked up on the
route, besides a number of families that left Camden with them. . . . P.P.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, May 11, 1864, p. 2, c. 2
Camp of 8th Regiment, in Field.
20 miles north of Minden, La., April 22d, 1864.
Editor News.—I promised, in the conclusion of my first letter, to give
you some of the incidents of the two battles more at my leisure; and, having a
day's rest allowed us, I propose fulfilling that promise, provided you are not
already wearied with the details sent you by correspondents.
I trust I will not be held strictly accountable for literary quotations
and authorities, as my opportunities for "light reading" has been
confined to a small work on "quick," "double-quick,"
"double roots and double duty," edited by one "Bill Hardy,"
which I make it a rule to kick, whenever it comes within my reach; but I believe
it was the sarcastic Randolph who used the comparison—"the play of
Hamlet, with the part of Hamlet left out."
I have been forcibly reminded of the aptness of this comparison by the
various published accounts of the battles which have reached us. [excellent
account of Walker's Texas Division in battles of Mansfield and Pleasant Hill.]
Orion.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, May 31, 1864, p. 1, c. 6
Bonham, 24th May, 1864.
Ed. News.-- . . . Having no news, I may tell an anecdote which may not
have reached you. I can't vouch for
the truth, but I can for the wit. On
the way from Shreveport to Tyler, the officer in charge of the Yankee prisoners,
on calling the roll one morning, discovered that two officers were missing. The roll was called some little distance from the spot where
they had encamped. A party was sent
back to search for them, and seeing no one, enquired of a woman, whose house was
not far from their camp fires. She
said that she had seen no one, but that her children, a few minutes before, had
come running to the house crying, "Oh ma!
they have killed two of the Yankees and burried [sic] them, and they have
come to life, and are getting up from their graves."
The children had been playing about camp, as soon as it was deserted, and
saw what they related, though the mother paid no attention until the enquiry was
made of her. An examination was
made, and sure enough two shallow graves, in the sand, were discovered, covered
over lightly with sand and leaves, which had, evidently, just been vacated.
Dogs were immediately procured and put upon the trail, and after
purposely running the officers about twenty miles, they were overhauled, tired
nearly to death. "Well,"
said one of the Yankees, "You've got us, and I am really astonished at it,
for I have always understood that trained dogs would only follow the tracks of a
negro." "That is in and
about the truth," said the old farmer who owned the dogs, "but you see
my dogs aint so overly smart, and they cant tell the difference between the
track of a nigger and an abolitionist."
Yours, A.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, June, 1, 1864, p. 2, c. 1
We would call the attention of Sugar planters to the advertisement of
Sugar Kettles.
Mr. Tanner, the advertiser, has extensive nitre works in Llano county,
where he is turning out 5000 pounds of nitre daily.
The cave which he is working is some three or four hundred yards in
length, with a deposit of from twelve to fourteen yards.
He also informs us that the Edgeworth cave in Burnett is still more
extensive with equally as rich a deposit. Mr.
Edgeworth having already supplied the Nitre Bureau with over 40,000 pounds of
nitre, so pure that it was found by analysis to contain but two percent of
foreign matter. Mr. Fanner [sic]
thinks the whole Confederacy could easily be supplied with nitre from these two
caves. The price paid by the Bureau
is but 75 cents per pound, which at the present depreciated state of our
currency is less than the cost of manufacture, and it is understood that the
price is to be increased to compensation rates.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, June 1, 1864, p. 2, c. 2
Excitement at Tyler—Three Men Hanged.—[The letter from which the
following extracts were taken was not written for publication, but knowing the
writer as we do, we take the liberty of publishing such parts as are of interest
to the public. We know the writer
to be a young gentleman of veracity. He
is on duty at Tyler.—Editor Quid Nunc.]
Capt. J. B. Burnett—My Dear Friend:--On yesterday evening, about
sunset, were hanged, half a mile from this place, three men, supposed to be
jayhawkers, and of which there is but little doubt.
They were evidently bad men, to say the least of it, and deserved the
fate that befell them. One of them,
the leader of the party, Jim Reed, was Sheriff of Collin county; another,
McReynolds, or McRunnels, rather an elderly man, was Chief Justice of the same
county; the other was a young fellow by the name of Holcombe.
The charges against these outlaws were, as I understand the matter, the
entering of the house of an old lady living in Vanzandt county, grossly
insulting and robbing her of $300 in specie, and about $1900 in Confederate
notes. They all plead not guilty to
the last moment—making no confessions. Reed
said that he had been burned out in his county by men much worse than he was
accused of being, and forced to move his family, a wife and seer children, to
his mother-in-law's in Vanzandt county. It
seems that the evidence against them was not of the most convicting nature, as
we could get it here, but the party that brought them in were sufficiently
satisfied of their guilt. The old
lady, whose house was broken open and robbed, identified and swore to their
being the men. Reed had in
his pocket, at the time of his arrest, papers from Gen. McCulloch passing him to
some command in Arkansas or Louisiana, he, as he stated, preferring to be in the
army rather than out, exposed as he was. I
learn that he carried a company in the service from his county at the
commencement of the war; in fact, no one disputed it that I heard. The worst feature of the affair in this case is, that he
served a term of three years in the penitentiary of Missouri before coming to
Texas. This he denied, as well as
ever having been in Missouri.
I forgot to mention that a young fellow by the name of Davis was brought
in by these persons from Vanzandt, and condemned, and carried out to be executed
with the others, but, fortunately, he was to be last hanged, which circumstance
saved his life. As they had
but one rope, they could hang but one at a time, and had to wait till he was
dead. Just as they were fixing to execute Davis, a gentleman came
up who recognized him as being a member of his command, and said that he had
always made a good soldier. He was,
of course, released, and is now at Camp Ford.
McReynolds, or McRunnels, has a son out at camp, who is now offering any
price for a wagon to carry his father's body home, at Rockwall, Kaufman county.
I have written much more upon this subject than I expected to when I set
out, as you will probably get a more full and correct account of it from other
sources.
About 1500 Yankee prisoners were brought in a few days ago, and I heard
Gen. Roane say, just now, others were coming.
There are now over 3,000 prisoners at Camp Ford, near this place.
Lieut. Col. Hill, commanding post, is quite an energetic and experienced
officer. He was chief of artillery
under Lieut. Gen. Holmes, in the District of Arkansas.
I have no more news of interest.
Truly yours,
J. C. M.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, June 8, 1864, p. 1, c. 4
Bonham, May 28th, 1864.
. . . The ink with which this note is written was made by boiling a very
prevalent weed of our prairies and adding a small quantity of copperas to the
decoction as a mordant. There is no
further need of quartermasters paying a thousand dollars a bottle for ink.
A lake of it might be made about here.
Our women have been dying their garments with it.
One girl said "she went into the woods, in a dress dyed with it, the
other day, and the birds all went to roost;" and I don't know what all
happened. The dye is ordinarily
called "Lincoln's Blood."
B.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, June 8, 1864, p. 1, c. 5
Bonham, May 28th, 1864.
. . . If I was a botanist, I would make known to your female readers a jet black
die [sic], recently discovered, and now in use in the country. The weed used for this purpose grows in great abundance on
the prairies.
Your correspondent, "B," has this instant handed me a bottle of
ink, with which I write, taken, as he says, from his wife's "die pot,"
and as he informs me he is before me in communicating this "item," it
is proper that I should desist. . .
"A."
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, June 8, 1864, p. 2, c. 1
We will gladly receive any country produce for subscription, for which
those acting as our agents are authorized to allow the highest prices, and hold
it subject to our order, or send by first opportunity of transportation.
We, of course, expect such articles as will keep and will best bear
transportation, such as flour and bacon, home made cloth, wool, etc.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, June 15, 1864, p. 2, c. 3
Galveston, June 11th, 1864.
Editor News:--There was quite an excitement at Head Quarters on Thursday,
occasioned by a crowd of women, who demanded of the General rations of flour,
bacon, &c., &c., refusing to receive corn meal, and such other articles
as have heretofore been furnished them at Government prices.
It seems to have been a preconcerted movement, gotten up by a party to
take the General by storm, as had been previously done with the Major-General.
The principal ringleaders, or rather sisters, were women who were not
actually in need, and who seemed disposed to prefer a row rather than receive
their rations. The women were placed under a guard, and were interrogated
singly, and the real leaders were detected.
These were ordered to be sent off the Island by this morning's train, and
the order is now being carried into effect. At daylight this morning, quite a procession of wagons and
ambulances were on the way to the premises of these female rioters to remove
their families and effects to the Depot.
. . .
Item.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, June 29, 1864, p. 1, c. 2
Shreveport, June 14th, 1864
Dear News.—One of our most respected fellow citizens, Dr. G____,
surgeon in the Confederate army, who was taken prisoner at Fort DeRussey on the
14th of last March, and who has been at New Orleans since, returned
home yesterday, having been unconditionally released.
The Dr. witnessed many things in New Orleans of interest, being a portion
of the time allowed the limits of the city. . .
The Dr. relates a circumstance that will well bear repetition.
At the very moment that Banks was fleeing from the disastrous fields of
Mansfield and Pleasant Hill, with the shattered remnants of his army, Mrs. Banks
was giving tableaux vivante at New Orleans for the benefit of the
Sanitary Commission. She, bedecked
with finery, represented the Goddess of Liberty.
A pole, with the star spangled banner, was placed in the centre, and the
Goddess, with exultant and proud mien, pointed to this proud emblem of American
liberty. In the far back ground was
placed a small weather beaten flag, with a few poorly clad females clinging to
its folds. This was intended to
represent the stars and bars, the emblem of Confederate liberty and nationality.
The scene now changes, the proud flag of the Union is triumphant and the
foot of the goddess rests upon the flag of the Confederacy.
The Confederate females are placed in a crouching and suppliant attitude
at the feet of the exultant goddess, who points to the stars and stripes as the
emblem of freedom and hope of the oppressed in every land.
At the close of the representation it was announced that a series of such
representations would take place during the next week, but before the next week
arrived, the disastrous campaign of Red River had become known at New Orleans
and the said representations were postponed to a more convenient season. . .
M.E.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, June 29, 1864, p. 1, c. 4
Shreveport, June 18, 1864,
. . . I have just learned the following anecdote of Sherman, which is
told me by the lady herself, who was the principal actor in the scene.
Not long after the fall of Vicksburg, an accomplished young married lady,
a former acquaintance of Gen. Sherman, called upon him.
The lady stepped into the general's quarters boldly, and spoke to him,
calling him by name. The general
looked up, not immediately recognizing his visitor; but, soon recognizing her,
he seemed surprised to meet her there, but expressed himself very much gratified
at once more meeting with an old acquaintance.
Lady—"Well, Gen. Sherman, I must acknowledge my great
surprise at finding you here, engaged in a deadly war with the South."
Sherman—"Why, how so?"
Lady—"You cannot have forgotten the speech you made the
boys before leaving the University, in Louisiana."
Sherman—"What speech?—Well, I believe I did say to the
boys, that I would not take up arms against the South; but the truth is, Madam,
I was forced into it—compelled, you may say, against my own will."
Lady—"General, that will never do.
It is impossible that a gentleman of your position could have been forced
to do anything. So you must have
some other reason, and, moreover, no gentleman should ever be forced to violate
his word of honor."
Sherman—"Well, the truth is, Madam, I did have some other
good reasons. The people of the South are the noblest in the world, and I
would not live in the United States, if they did not belong to it; and so I went
North, and aided in raising an army—composed of the scum of the earth—to
force the high chivalry of the South to submit to the Union."
Lady—"General, your reasons are unbecoming a man of your
position."
Sherman—"Well, Madam, to be plain, I don't care a d—n
which whips, any way!"
This conversation of Sherman soon reached the ears of General Grant, who,
not being on the best of terms with Sherman, called upon him for an explanation
of his language. Sherman would have
denied the use of the language if he could, but the proof was positive, and he
had to bear the consequence. As
Grant and Sherman were not on very good terms any way, this little incident
considerably increased their coolness, and for some time they scarcely spoke at
all.
M.E.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, June 29, 1864, p. 1, c. 5
Head Qrs., Bureau of Conscription,
Trans Mississippi Department,
Marshall, Texas, June 9th, 1864.
General Orders No. 13.
I. Manufacturers of iron, salt, wool or cotton cloth, soap or
candles, who have been or may be detailed as such manufacturers, or to manage
and superintend their factories, or who have had or may have conscripts or
soldiers detailed as operators or employees in such factories, will be required
to make affidavit that they will, during the continuance of their details, sell
the articles produced or manufactured at their establishments at prices not
exceeding those fixed by the Commissioners of the State under the Impressment
Act.
II. Persons who have been or may be detailed, or who have had or
may have others detailed in their employ, as wool carders or threshers, or
cutters of wheat or other grain, will make a similar affidavit that during the
continuance of their details they will not take or receive, by way of toll, or
other means of compensation, a higher rate of pay for carding wool or threshing
or cutting grain, than was customary to be paid for such services in the
localities where rendered before the war, and that they will sell their surplus
of the articles received by way of toll, over a sufficiency for the supply of
their families, at prices not exceeding those fixed by the Commissioners of the
State under the Impressment Act. . . .
VII. Any evasion of this order or of the provisions of General
Order No. 11, either by refusal to perform work or to sell for Confederate
money, or by obtaining provisions in exchange for work articles manufactured, or
received by way of toll at prices below their customary market value in the
neighborhood, or by exchanging work or articles manufactured or received for
toll for provisions or supplies for re-sale, will be punished by prompt
revocation of the detail.
VIII. Upon proper application and satisfactory proof, one man will
be detailed as superintendent to every manufactory of Salt, in which not less
than 20 bushels are actually manufactured per day.
But such details will not be made to such manufactories as have
superintendents not subject to military duty.
By command of
Brig. Gen. Greer,
W. Stedman, A. A. General.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, June 29, 1864, p. 2, c. 1
The Army Mail.—We are requested by Mr. Warren Adams to state that on
account of the heavy discount on the old currency, and for the reason that he
now brings back a heavy mail without a charge, his charge per letter for his
next mail will be $10. His expenses
will now be quite double in the old currency what they have been.
Charge for taking and delivering money 10 per cent.
He will leave on the fourth of July.
There will be ample time for answers to be written, to be brought by Mr.
Adams, on his return; and those who wish answers should direct them to be sent
AT ONCE to "Montgomery, Ala., care of 'Advertiser,'" or to
"Mobile Ala., care of 'Register and Advertiser,'" and they will
be brought FREE OF CHARGE. On his
last trip Mr. Adams brought back just about as many letters as he carried over.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, June 29, 1864, p. 1, c. 1
Official information has been received here confirming the report that
the Federals have finally evacuated Fort Esperanza.
They blew up the works on the morning of the 15th inst., and
left on their transports on the same day. There
is, therefore, not a Yankee at this time on our whole coast this side of the Rio
Grande. It is, indeed, not
positively known that they have left Mustang Island, but it cannot be supposed
that they would destroy and evacuate their only strong position and continue to
occupy an exposed and unprotected island, without any intelligible object. . . .
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, July 6, 1864, p. 2, c. 5
Tyler, Texas, June 24th, 1864.
Editor News:-- . . . By the way, perhaps, there is no harm telling your
numerous readers how well our young Confederacy is getting along in this section
in the fabrication of fire arms and ordnance stores generally—articles so much
needed by our gallant soldiers in the great struggle for liberty.
Well, then, I recently had the pleasure to accompany Lieut. Col. G. H.
Hill through the extensive works he has caused to be erected near this formerly
flourishing town, and I was most agreeably surprised to witness the progress
which has been effected. One fine
blacksmith shop runs sixteen forges. In
another extensive brick structure, the machinery for the manufacture of fire
arms rolls daily (Sundays excepted) putting up splendid guns, from the first to
the last screw, and all going on with perfect order and system.
Though this is a Government establishment, I did not see one idle man
about the premises—all was quiet, save the roll of the machinery and the clink
of the hammer.
Capt. Geo. S. Polleys is superintendent of the work here, and deserves
much credit for the orderly manner in which all is carried on.
I do not mention, for particular reasons, the precise number of fire-arms
added to our supply every week from the establishment, but it is by no means
inconsiderable.
Col. Hill is engaged in fabricating nearly everything belonging to the
ordnance department, excepting cannon, round shot and shell; and certainly no
more faithful or skillful officer graces this branch of the service.
It might be well to mention that a great many mechanics employed in these
shops are Master Masons, and this fact, no doubt, accounts to some extent for
the extraordinary good conduct of the laborers, who by dint of their honest
industry and skill will yet live to be called from their many months of labor to
many long years of refreshments, amid the smiles of independence, peace and
plenty, Heaven speed the time!
Col. Scott Anderson is in command of the Post here and the Prison Camp,
which now contains nearly 4800 Yankees. The
Colonel is a gallant officer and well known to Texians.
Everything goes bravely on in this section, and an early peace is
anticipated. There is a good prospect now of effecting an exchange of a goodly
number of prisoners soon.
Fraternally yours,
Alamo.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, July 13, 1864, p. 1, c. 4
Tyler, Texas, July 5th, 1864
Dear News:--The weather in this part of the Confederate vineyard, is at
present oppressively hot and sultry—winds dry and dusty.
Yesterday, the Fourth of July, passed without any celebration among the
quiet denizens of old Smith; no mint julips, sherry cobblers or brandy smashes
with ice; the few who indulged took whiskey straight, for the same reason that
the fox thought the grapes were sour.
Last night we had a "small sprinkling" of excitement in the way
of a reliable report from Camp Ford, informing the commander of the Post, that
the Yankee prisoners of war, intended celebrating the Fourth of July by storming
the little picket fence which surrounds their plantation, paying a summary visit
to their numerous overseers, (who with muskets in their hands, have an eye to
their interests and frequently anticipate their wants) after which they would
prepare to take a journey of more magnitude by way of calling upon their
brethren of "African descent" in lower Louisiana, and on the Arkansas
and White rivers—their plans were all made known by one of their own number,
and the ever vigilant Col. Anderson, immediately took steps to prevent the
attempt as well as defeat it, should their temerity lead them thus far—by his
prompt action he no doubt saved these poor deluded fanatics and negro
worshippers, from being "welcomed by bloody hands to hospitable
graves."
Last Saturday night, seven of them undertook to escape by removing two of
the pickets and then stealing away. One
was shot right at the line, but not killed; the other six ran away as fast as
their pedestals would carry them, they were trailed up by dogs, and four of them
caught up in tree tops the same night, and the other two captured in the same
manner the next day. As the
trailers came up, the Yanks shouted most lustily, "here we are boys, come
and take us, but please dont hurt us!"
All is quiet today. Colonel
Scott Anderson is the right man in the right place, and your readers may rest
assured that should any attempt be made, on the part of the prisoners, to over
run the guard, they will be repulsed with most bloody results.
In haste fraternally yours,
Alamo.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, July 20, 1864, p. 1, c. 3
[From
the Louisiana Democrat.]
The men and material of the army of the Liberator of Louisiana, while
here on their last trip en marche to Shreveport, amused themselves
wonderfully at the expense of the citizens.
It would take months to relate their doings.
We will, however, give a few of these tricks as we witnessed them. The navy were the first to arrive, and had full sway before
the army of Smith arrived, and well did they play their part.
As soon as they reached the shore they broke out in town in squads, each
under an officer, and charge chicken coops was the word, and never since the
days of the far-famed Jeremy Diddler was such stealing, or as they call it,
foraging seen. Not a chicken, not
even the old veteran Shanghais were respected, and a clean sweep was made in
less than an hour. While this game
was going on, a few select naval crowds, the most respectable of old Abe's web
footed boys, were entering private houses, sans ceremonie, and helping
themselves. We saw a naval officer,
with sword belted on, and two non commissioned marines in broad day, walk into a
house, take the clock off the mantelpiece, wrap it up in a quilt on the bed, and
marched to the gunboat with both. Just
think of the navy of the United States, once the pride and boast of the world,
so low sunk in depravity as to turn thieves of family furniture.
Again, while the town was in flames and the women and children were
saving at the risk of life a few articles they most needed, we saw a naval
officer, with two negro marines under his orders, go to a pile of saved
furniture, and take two family portraits, a pair of curtains and a musquito
[sic] bar from the pile and walk off aboard of his boat.
The same day we witnessed two soldiers on front street, in the presence
of more than one hundred officers, go into a private yard, take off an old brood
mare with a young suckling colt, cut the throat of the colt from ear to ear, and
both mounted the mare and rode off, yelling and whooping. Reader, these are facts our own eyes, without specs, have
seen, and we place them on record as a few of the infamies of the Union saviors.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, July 20, 1864, p. 1, c. 5
The Condition of the Frontier.—We have a communication from
Gainesville, correcting some errors and exaggerations made (as the writer says)
by a previous communication published in this paper.
Want of room compels us to condense this article, but, as we understand
its statements to be generally correct, we feel it due to the people to give
them in substance. He says the
large amount of property represented to have been captured from the disloyal
people on the frontier by Gen. McCulloch, is an exaggeration.
The property taken was really very insignificant, and what was taken has
generally been returned to the right owners, from whom it had been stolen.
Our previous communication represented that there were a very large
number of traitors and bushmen in camp in the Western counties, whereas, this
writer says there are really very few of them, with the exception of some
misguided militia men from Jack county, but that these had returned to their
homes. This writer says, that at
this time the entire section, embracing Wise, Jack, Young, Stephens, Palo Pinto,
and adjourning counties, is in a healthy condition.
An officer just from Gen. McCulloch's headquarters, to whom we have shown
this letter, says it is true in the main, and that Gen. McCulloch, by his
energetic and prudent administration in that Department, had rid the country of
nearly all that disaffected class of persons—some having been sent in chains
to Shreveport and others to camps of instruction.
There are, however, still a few left, but they will probably soon come
in. Both our correspondent and the officer above referred to,
concur in stating that the number of the disloyal in that section has been
exaggerated, and that many included in that category were good soldiers, who had
been induced to desert and fly to their families, on account of the unfounded
reports of their suffering and the dangers surrounding them.
These soldiers having found that they had been misled have returned, or
are returning, to their duty. They
have done good service to the country, and are ready to do it again.
There are, however, skulkers all over the country, who have hitherto
succeeded in evading the service, and are still making every exertion to escape
our conscript officers. This class
are doubtless numerous, and by no means confined to the frontier, though many
have gone there from the lower counties, the better to escape detection.
These are really far more deserving of punishment than the soldiers who
have deserted temporarily, for no other motive than to protect their families.
We give the following concluding portion of the correspondence:
The line of defence as established by the State under the direction of
Colonel McCord, that has been so remarkably successful—no important Indian
bands in this section ever having penetrated or passed through it—has been
strengthened north of Belknap by twenty-five hundred cavalrymen, the substance
of the families of absent soldiers has been consumed by useless soldiery and
their service needed elsewhere. Not
an Indian has been seen in the country this year.
Major Quail's command organized under the direction of the State
authorities numbers fifteen hundred and seventeen men and Colonel Bourland's
near one thousand and other troops are near at hand; this is besides the
Frontier regiment.
During the past winter and spring we had many troubles here resulting in
killing, robbing, &c., but that all passed away and perfect quiet restored
with the departure of restless, ambitious independent warriors, who adjourned
among us for a time. We say to your
readers and to our gallant defenders on the distant fields, that no such
military preparations, no such concentration of supplies and outfit as above
alluded to could be gathered together in our midst or upon our borders for the
enemies purpose, and the huge stories about formidable camps and troops of
tories, deserters, and skulkers are circulated for a purpose either by
speculators or apprehensive frontiersmen or the officer or soldier who had
rather while away his time here in useless marches or fruitless campaigns after
vague rumors or imaginary apparitions, than aid their brothers upon the field of
honor. We will write you again.
Yours,
Cook.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, July 20, 1864, p. 2, c. 2
Tyler, July 9th, 1864.
Ed. News—One of our agents of exchange, Capt. Birchett, arrived here a
few days since, and has been busy making out his rolls for the exchange of 1,000
Yankee prisoners of war. One squad
of them started this morning, and the balance will leave to-morrow morning for
Alexandria via Shreveport. This
number, I am informed, covers all that the Yankee Government now has on hand of
our men in this Department, and we still have an excess of at least 4,000, the
most of whom are still at this point.
Our news from Virginia and Georgia is very fine, but you no doubt have
later dates than we. The signs of
the times are all pointing towards the rainbow of peace.
Great, skillful generals and brave soldiers have given us many glorious
victories. Crops are
splendid—yesterday gave us some fine showers.
The Yankees who recently made their escape, and were recaptured by the
dogs, are very bitter in their denunciations of poor Tray.
Some of the swear that after the war is over, they intend to raise dogs
just to kill.
The dogs used here are nothing but common fox hounds, yet it is truly
wonderful how they will strike a trail and follow it—five or six of them are
worth more than one hundred soldiers, to catch runaway Yankees or deserters
with, and this is another improvement developed by the war.
The time will come when every Sheriff will have his pack of hounds, kept
by the county, expressly for the purpose of capturing evil doers.
Fraternally yours,
Alamo.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, July 20, 1864, p. 2, c. 2
Trinity, on Black River, La.,
June 28, 1864.
Ed. News.—As announced in my last, our cavalry is now on the move.
The advance reached this place this morning.
The country through which we have journeyed since leaving Red River at
Alexandria, is a high and dry pinny [sic] woods soil, worthless section,
sparsely inhabited, and it would have been better for us if it was not inhabited
at all. The people have been in the
bushes sneaking nearly ever since the war commenced, and constantly conveying to
the Yankees information that they acknowledge as being of a most valuable
nature. Whilst Banks was in Alexandria they organized as a regiment
of cavalry in the Yankee service, (to them the prisoners we took lay all the
house burning, and everything else done contrary to civilized war,) and with
them left the country. The
commandant of the "District of Western La.," being desirous that they
should not be separated from their families, took it into his head to rid the
country of the stock, by sending out of our lines the families of the aforesaid
traitors, consequently this country is indeed quite sparsely settled at this
time. The last remnant of them
crossed at this place but a few days ago on their way to Natchez, Miss.
Should the war end shortly, this State will present great advantages and
opening for young men of industrious and stirring habits, whether farmers or
mechanics. For the farmer, the land
is already cleared, whilst there is no place to which the mechanic can command
better wages. I speak of Louisiana
proper, not of this back woods, worthless region—where none but thieves as
have just been compelled to leave it, would live.
Our horses are catching it out here on the pine straw and burrs, which
suggest to me that we have altogether too much cavalry in this district for the
present condition of affairs. There
has been no corn raised in this country for the last three years, and to ship
forage for the horses and mules from Shreveport would be out of the question,
but we must have forage, else our horses will still be of less use to the
government than they are now, and were the inspecting officers so disposed, they
could with perfect propriety condemn, as being unserviceable, at least one third
of our present cavalry horses. Should
our stay in this country be protracted over a week, no one can conjecture what
is to become of our horses. . .
N.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, July 27, 1864, p. 1, c. 5
Letter
from Richmond.
We have been favored with extracts from a private letter of Hon. Jno. R.
Baylor, M. C., written at Richmond, Virginia, May 26th, just after
taking his seat in Congress:
. . . "Should Congress adjourn soon, (which is likely,) I shall
visit all the Texas troops in the army, on this side of the Mississippi,
especially the sick and wounded. The
Texians, I find, are at the head of the army here for gallantry and good
conduct. Gen. Lee says they are his
best and bravest troops. The State
may well be proud of such men. The
State, herself, stands high on this side of the river.
"I met a train of Yankee prisoners the other day, and as they
passed, seeing the star on my hat, they pointed me out, one to the other,
saying, "There's a Texas Ranger! they're
the boys to fight!"
"I have seen thousands of Yankee prisoners in the last few days.
It is amusing to hear out boys talk with them. They chat, laugh, and trade together as if the best of
friends. . .
"I visited the hospitals at Atlanta, and found some of our wounded
Texians there. They were delighted to hear the latest news from home, and I
was equally well pleased to give the poor fellows all the consolation I could,
and to find the hospitals so well conducted.
They are neat, plank buildings, whitewashed and scrupulously clean.
The men receive all the care and attention that are necessary, and the
ladies do all in their power to make them comfortable, and to cheer their
tedious hours.
"Whilst I was at Atlanta, I saw a train come in with 1500 of our
wounded. Committees of ladies were
waiting to receive them. Each had
something nice to eat or drink to bestow on the sufferers, and hundreds of
little girls had beautiful boquets [sic] for them.
. . . "It is difficult to believe that this city is really
threatened by an army of 150,000 men, bent on its capture—so unconcernedly do
the citizens take it. Wounded soldiers are constantly coming in from the front;
every hour the sound of cannon is heard, for Beauregard is only five miles
distant, and is fighting Beast Butler daily; yet the people here are as calm and
cool as if in the midst of peace. . .
"Living in Richmond is dear, dearer, dearest.
A beef steak costs $8; meal $50
per bushel; flour $5 per lb.; and other articles in proportion.
John R. Baylor.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, July 27, 1864, p. 2, c. 2
A friend just from Laredo informs us that corn is there worth $8 per
bushel by retail, and $6 by wholesale. There
is not a green thing to be seen in the market.
Not a vegetable of any kind to be found.
There are no beds. Every one
lies on his own raw hide and blankets, and if he sleeps in a house, he pays
usually 50 cents a night specie for the space he occupies on the floor.
Confederate money is not there seen, and scarcely heard of.
Furniture is so scarce that chairs and tables are rented at $1.50 each
per week. The Mexicans charge 25
cents specie for turning over a bale of cotton.
Their wages per day is $5 specie.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, July 27, 1864, p. 2, c. 2
We were present for a short time at Colonel Sydnor's auction on Tuesday.
We saw prints sold for $8.50 to $9 per yard, which he assured the
audience he had sold for $13.50 per yard one month ago, but which had been left
with him for sale again by the purchasers.
The speculation was a loss of about $5 per yard in one month.
We noticed that socks were sold for $5 per pair, which Col. Sydnor stated
were sold for $11 per pair only a week previous.
Boy's socks were sold for $3.40 to $3.70 per pair.
Girls hose for $6 to $7 per pair. We
were not able to see the end of the sale, but the prices paid leave no doubt
that there has been a heavy decline in prices of late in Confederate money.
It should be borne in mind that we have none but the old issue.
But the truth is there is a great scarcity now of Confederate money. There is every appearance that it will become more scarce
before those who want it can get it. The
taxes for 1864 have not yet been collected but will soon have to be collected.
This should be borne in mind.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, July 27, 1864, p. 2, c. 4
Lavaca, July 15th, 1864.
Editor News:--One of our citizens yesterday, whilst on the opposite side
of the Bay, at Cox's Point, saw two men in a skiff, who he supposed, from their
actions, to be deserters. On his
return, he reported the fact to our Provost Marshal, Gen. Woodward, who, with
his characteristic promptitude, dispatched a party of pickets across the water,
who captured them and brought them to this place.
At first they represented that they belonged to Colonel Cook's regiment,
and were part of a detail serving on the Confed. gunboat J. L. Carr. To corroborate their statement, they exhibited furloughs from
Col. Cook, endorsed by Col. Steele and Gen. Magruder, the furloughs dated 13th
June, and the approvals on 14th May. On being asked how they could reconcile the discrepancy in
dates, they caved in and acknowledged that they were Yankee prisoners, taken at
Calcasieu, and that they had escaped from Camp Groce. The furloughs were in the names of Jones and Smith.
On asserting their individuality, they were found to be Lieutenant Loring
and Ensign Howard, of the steamer Wave, captured in the late gallant affair at
Calcasieu. They left Camp Groce on
the 4th of July, and after many trials and vicissitudes, in which
they were nearly worn down, the succeeded in getting so near the blockader at
Pass Cavallo, that in a few hours more they would have been safe on her deck,
but for their untoward luck. Gen.
Woodward will dispatch them to Houston to-morrow morning, via Matagorda.
West.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, August 8, 1864, p. 1, c. 2
Walker's Division, Waterhouse's Brigade,
17th Regt. Inf. Camp Fiacon, La., July 12, '64.
Ed. News.—I desire, through the columns of your invaluable paper, to
convey to our friends, some information of our "whereabouts," health
and condition.
At present this brigade is in camp on Bayou Fiacan, about 15 miles East
of Alexandria. Our time is
principally occupied in drilling, grumbling about poor beef and furloughs. The general health of the troops is very good, better than it
has been for several months, but they are poorly clad, many of them are without
necessary articles of raiment, others have on their only suit.
To remedy this, several officers from the different brigades have been
detailed to go to Texas to procure clothing, with what success is yet to be
seen. But probably the most
important item of news with us at this time, is a revival of religion now in
progress under the supervision of Elder W. A. Mason, Missionary to the army from
the Baptist State Convention. He
arrived in this brigade about the 4th May last, and was welcomed by a
hearty reception from the soldiers. Since that time he has been laboring night and day with much
zeal and fervency, doing much good, and receiving many souls for his hire.
The meeting has been progressing several weeks, and some twenty five or
thirty have confessed and put on Christ in Baptism.
Elder Mason has also organized the "Christian Association of
Waterhouse's Brigade," composed of the members of the different
denominations, who, laying aside all sectarian prejudices, have convened at the
altar to worship God, and do all they can for the promotion of the much
neglected cause of Christ. Committees are appointed from the different regiments, whose
duties are to visit the sick and procure every possible comfort for them.
Its works, up to this time, promise much good.
Elder Mason has had no assistance whatever, indeed, the soldiers have
been much neglected, there having been only one chaplain in the brigade—Elder
Hay, who has no superior as a chaplain. He
has been promoted to the rank of Brigade Chaplain for his gallantry on the field
at the late battles, and for his attention to and efforts in behalf of the sick
and wounded. He is not absent
trying to procure clothing for his old regiment, the 16th.
Elder Mason is, by resolution of our association, an authorized agent to
procure religious literature for the army, which is very much needed and
desired. Any one having pocket
Testaments, hymn books, or any other benefit for the sick and wounded, which
they can spare, and wish to contribute, will confer much good, and for which
many soldiers will thank them, by sending them to Elder Mason, who will soon
return to Texas for the purpose above named, and to attend the Baptist State
Convention.
Most respectfully, I remain your obd't serv't,
B., Co. A, 17th Regt. Inft.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, August 8, 1864, p. 1, c. 2
Orangeville, Fannin Co., Texas,
July 10th, 1864.
Ed. News.—Sir, I see in your number of June 29th, an inquiry
for information how to manage the tobacco crop, whilst growing, to prevent it
from having strong and sickening qualities.
In the first place plant your tobacco in good strong ground, cultivate it
just like you do corn. While small,
be careful to keep the bud worm from cutting the top out, until the plant can be
primed, that is, break off about four of the bottom leaves, and then leave as
much as ten leaves still above, at that hight [sic]
you will top the plants. After
you top the plant, suckers will immediately commence growing out where every
leaf leaves the stalk, and then you must sucker, that is, break off those
suckers, once a week at least, and worm as often, for four weeks after you top
it. And occasionally stir the
ground, either with the plow or hoes, or both, putting the soil to the plant
every time you stir the ground, until it is thoroughly ripe, which can be
ascertained by the leaf curling up and getting very spotted and much thicker
than when it was in a growing state. You
must then cut the tobacco, split the stalk within two or three inches of the
lower leaf, with a long and large knife; cut it in the evening or morning, when
the heat of the sun will not burn it. Immediately
after the plant you have cut wilts, remove it to a shade, and straddle the stalk
over a stick some four or four and a half feet long, putting about 10 or 12
plants on one stick. After you get
it all on the sticks, then hoist it in your house, prepared with bars, so your
sticks will reach from one pole to the other.
Be careful not to crowd it in your house after it gets yellow, which it
will do in a few days—as yellow as the leaves of the forest after a frost.
Build small fires promiscuous, all over the floor of your house; keep
these fires up every day—provided the weather is damp—until the stem and
fibers of the leaf are cured. If the weather is dry, very little fire is required.
After the stem, stalk, and fibers are all cured up, and look of a dark
mahogany color, you then can strip the leaf off, separate the two lower leaves
from the others, which is called, in Kentucky, Seconds.
Put about seven or eight leaves together, and then take one leaf and bind
the large end of the stems together. After
we get the tobacco all stripped, we generally hang the tobacco on the sticks and
raise it up in the house as when it was in the green state, and wait for the
tobacco to come in case, that is, in pressing order, which it will do when the
atmosphere becomes camp and heavy. The
pressing stage is easily ascertained, when the point of the leaves are soft
enough that you can press it in your hands as hard as y our whole grasp and it
will not crumble, and the large end of the stems, where you broke it off from
the stalk, will crack when you bend them with your hands, it then is in good
packing order; you then take your tobacco down, and bulk it with the leaf in,
and the large end of the stem out, on both sides like racking oats.
After you get it all put in bulk, lay straw and boards on the top and put
heavy weights on them. Let the
tobacco lay in these bulks until you want to use it for manufacturing.
The sooner you bulk your tobacco, after stripping it, is the best;
provided you bulk it in the proper order. Every
time it changes from high case to dry, it loses strength and body.
There is more tobacco injured by cutting it before it gets ripe, than any
thing else. You never can give
tobacco the body, nor make it have that palatable taste, when cut green.
As for manufacturing, I can give you but little information, as respects
the recent mode, by experience is merely this:
I let the tobacco lay in bulk until the month of May, at which time all
tobacco goes through a sweat, and will get in very high case.
I then stem and plug it; put in a prige [sic?] without putting any
composition of any kind, pack it very hard down in this way, and then give it
age,--say 6, 12 or 24 months—it makes it still better.
I have given you my experience on the subject in the States of Kentucky
and Tennessee.
Yours respectfully
Milton Draper.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, August 8, 1864, p. 1, c. 4
We have been shown a letter from Beaumont to Rev. Mr. Castleton, stating
that since he left that town, a Soldiers' Home has been successfully organized
in that place. This is the
beginning of the good work. We
expect soon to present our readers with a list of Soldiers' Homes, and will keep
it standing for the information of the public.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, August 8, 1864, p. 1, c. 5
Soldiers'
Homes in Texas.
One in Houston, in
charge of
Sergt. C. A. Scales
One in Beaumont, in charge of
Wm. Fletcher.
One in Millican, in charge of
Wm. R. Ellis.
One in Rusk, in charge of
_____________
We hope our friends throughout the country will give us early information
of the establishment of Homes in their respective neighborhoods, that we may add
them to our permanent list, for the information of our soldiers.
They will also please give us the names of such persons as may be placed
in charge, and to whom application by the soldiers may be made.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, August 8, 1864, p. 1, c. 5
Jacksboro, Texas, July 11th, 1864.
G. H. Bringhurst, Esq.—Sir:--I arrived at home on the 1st
inst. I found all well.
On the night of the 29th the Indians came into our town and
stole about fifteen head of the best horses that were in the country. On the next day they went to near the house of a Mr. Fauner
about six miles from town (no one at home except an old lady in her dotage),
who, when they showed themselves, ran to the nearest neighbor.
Upon examination it was found that after she left the house, they went in
and stole all of their clothing, several bed quilts and a rifle gun, leaving
some blankets unnoticed. On the 27th,
(about daylight) they stole five or six good horses on Been's Creek about ten
miles East from this place. On the
same day late in the evening, another party supposed to be about ten or twelve,
went into the farm of a Mr. S. E. Camp, on Kechi Creek ten miles Southwest from
this place, gathered green corn as much as they wanted, destroyed the melons,
&c. The family had been washing
at the Creek about seventy yards from the house and had hung their clothing on
the under brush and weeds. A young
lady about fifteen years of age and four little boys from three to ten years
old, went to the wash place after the clothing.
The boys ran ahead of the young lady and were playing in the sand at the
waters edge, when about ten Indians that had secreted themselves in the weeds,
showed themselves, the boys ran towards the young lady except one, a child of
Mr. White, that ran in a different direction and was captured and carried away.
The Indians caught one of Mr. Camp's sons, but Miss Cap with her life in
her hand, ran among them, and seized her brother, when she was shot through the
right arm above the elbow and through the right breast, she then seized the gun,
and a second gun was fired at her inflicting another wound through the left arm. The wound through her right arm and breast was inflicted by
an ounce ball, that through left, by one about the size used for Colt's Navy
six-shooter. The Indians were
doubtless kept from murdering Miss Camp and the boys by the appearance of Mrs.
White and Camp with guns in hand, when they struck her a severe blow on the arm
with the gun and left them. One of
the boys has a severe cut on the head caused by an arrow; the others were
knocked down, but not hurt. Scouts
started in pursuit of them as early as possible, and followed a part of them as
far as Big Wichita about seventy miles from this place, but the rain had
extinguished the sign so that it was impossible to pursue them further.
Miss Camp is recovering slowly. Yours,
&c.,
W. W. O. Stanfield.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, August 3, 1864, p. 1, c. 5
The Countryman says: "Three
Yankee prisoners recently escaped from Camp Groce.
One was treed by negro dogs. The
others were still at large. Look
out for them."
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, August 17, 1864, p. 1, c. 3
Atlanta.—A correspondent of the Mobile Advertiser, writing from Atlanta
on the 11th of July, gives the following description of that place:
"I can give you no idea of the excitement in Atlanta.
Everybody seems to be hurrying off, and especially the women. Wagons, loaded with household furniture, and everything else
that can be packed upon them, crowd every street, and women, old and young, and
children innumerable, are hurrying to and fro, leading pet lambs, deer and other
little household objects of affection, as though they intended to save all they
could. Every train of cars is
loaded to its utmost capacity, and there is no grumbling about seats, for even
the fair ones are but too glad to get even a standing place in a box car.
The excitement beats anything I ever saw, and I hope I may never witness
such again. But in the midst of all
this, the soldiers are cool, and cheerful, and sanguine."
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, August 17, 1864, p. 2, c. 1
The
Fight at Diamond Grove, Arkansas.
Camp 20 miles south of Fort Smith, July 28th, 1864.
An event has at last occurred in this most uneventful of military
districts—though scarcely sufficient to terminate the war, yet it has caused
quite a ripple in our stagnant "way of life," and inspirited your
correspondent to give you and y our readers an account of it.
Brigadier-General R. M. Gano reached our camp and was enthusiastically
welcomed by his brigade on the 24th inst.
Becoming tired of inaction, in a couple of days he organized a scout,
composed of 500 men from his own brigade, a detachment from Lieutenant-Colonel
Wells' battalion and a few Indians, and at 3 o'clock in the evening of the 25th
inst. took up the line of march for Fort Smith.
One of Gen. Cooper's scouting parties h ad reported a party of 200
Yankees encamped in a prairie, six miles from Fort Smith, doing out-post duty. This party was supported by another party of 400, with two
pieces of artillery, encamped two miles nearer the Fort.
We marched through Sculleyville, a deserted Indian village; then took a
road leading in a north easterly direction, and got on finely until nightfall.
Through the incompetency of our guides and the multiplicity of Indian
trails, the brigade then got lost. We
blundered about until midnight, finally found the road, crossed the Poteau
river, and marched to within four miles, as our guides informed us, of the
position of the enemy. It was the
intention of Gen. Gano to attack them at daylight. At e o'clock we were again in our saddles, but instead of
finding the Yankees in four miles, we had to march ten. About six o'clock in the morning we reached Mazzard Prairie
(Arkansas) and drove in their pickets. Riding
out on the prairie, our advance of Indians had a miscellaneous skirmish with a
few adventurous Yankees.
In the centre of the prairie stood a beautiful grove, called Diamond
Grove. There the general
ascertained the enemy to be encamped. Ordering
the Indians and Lieut. Col. Well to the right, the General, with the detachment
of his own brigade, proceeded to the left of the grove in a sweeping gallop.
Arriving within three or four hundred yards of the encampment, the
General ordered Capt. Welch, of the Gano Guards, to dash into the timber, and,
assisted by Capt. Hard's company and a detachment of the 29th Texas
cavalry, under Major Carroll, to drive the enemy into the prairie.
He then placed the remainder of his command in position to secure the
game when roused. These movements
were promptly executed. The enemy,
6th Kansas, were drawn up in line of battle in front of their tents.
Immediately a hot fight began in the timber. It lasted but a few minutes, when the routed enemy abandoned
the timber and fled to the prairie—our fellows at their heels.
They fought with desperation under the impression that the Indians would
murder them if they surrendered. The
fight was kept up on the prairie some fifteen or twenty minutes, when the entire
party was either killed or captured, with the exception of 150 mounted men who
effected their escape before the grove was surrendered.
The killed and wounded between fifty and sixty, captured one hundred and
twenty-seven prisoners, sixteen wagons, and a great many sutlers stores.
The tents, wagons, etc., had to be burned as they could not be brought
out by our tortuous and difficult route. The
prisoners are now in camp. Our men
had a fine opportunity to supply themselves with pistols, overcoats, and all the
luxuries of the Yankee Sutler's establishment.
Your correspondent is even now solacing himself with the unwonted luxury
of a good cigar.
We had scarcely began a retrograde movement before the enemy, in large
force, from Fort Smith made their appearance on the prairie.
They had a battery with them. Gen.
Gano did not think it prudent to fight them without artillery, fatigued as the
troops were, so we very, very leisurely retired before them. They followed us very cautiously a few miles, occasionally
firing on our rear, but soon drew off. At
night we encamped on Poteau river and this morning reached camp.
Gen. Gano was in the thickest of the fray, directing and cheering the
men, and his coolness and gallantry is the theme of the entire brigade.
You can always tell his whereabouts by the cheering of the troops.
Maj. Stackpole, Cap. Matthews, Lt. Adams and Lieut. Wall of the staff
were on the field and rendered valuable assistance.
Our loss was 6 killed and 15 wounded.—Dallas Herald.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, August 17, 1864, p. 2, c. 2
The Crockett Quid Nunc of the 9th inst., gives a full account
of the destructive fire that destroyed so large a portion of that town on the
Thursday previous. Mr. Rusk
Simpson's two store rooms were consumed with all their contents including over
10,000 pounds of government bacon, Capt. Cox's hotel was next consumed, and only
about half the furniture saved. Mr. L. E. Downes' store house, A. Corly's drug store, Capt.
A. T. Munroe's store house, ware rooms, &c., with John H. Pott's office and
bedroom and Messrs. Aldrich & Zimmerman's brick store were all consumed with
many of the contents of immense value. Next
Messrs. Blair & Wingfield's store and ware-house including the post office,
Stubblefield's saddle tree shop, Willingham's shoe shop, T. E. Garner's law
office, W. P. Simpson's silversmith shop, John McConnell's blacksmith shop, Box,
Jones & Vernadore's blacksmith and woodshops, McNey's wood shop, Zimmerman
& Frederick's tin shop and Wm. Johnson's two store rooms, (in one of which
Col. Brazier had goods and the other was used as a shoe shop) all were consumed.
The Quid Nunc office caught on fire several times, but was finally saved.
The total loss is said to exceed one million in currency exclusive of the
large amount of goods and furniture. The
Quid Nunc office suffered a good deal from the breaking of presses and damage
done to material in attempting to remove it.
It is believed that the fire was the work of an incendiary.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, August 17, 1864, p. 2, c. 2
Valuable Information.—For the information of our friends who have
cultivated the sorghum, says the Charlotte Times, we have obtained permission to
publish the annexed letter on the mode of manufacturing sugar from syrup, which
has been successfully done by the author of the letter, a large and very
successful planter, residing in an adjoining State:
June 4th, 1864.
Dear Sir:--Yours of the 29th of May, desiring information for
making sugar from the sorghum syrup is received.
In the first place, the cane must be fully ripe, so much so that the cane
must look yellow, and also the juice after it is expressed.
Boil the juice down to a very thick syrup, until it bubbles like a pot of
soap when it is done. Before you
commence boiling, dissolve one pint of lime into two quarts of the juice, pour
it in about one hundred gallons, boil as fast as you can without running over;
as for the time, you must judge by the bubbles and by holding up y our dipper,
it will fall in sheets instead of drops. Let
it cool in large trays or open troughs before you pour into your barrel where
you expect it to granulate. Before
pouring into the barrel, bore three holes in the bottom sufficiently large to
insert three cane stalks. The
object of the cane is for the syrup to drop down through the bottom of the
barrel when the cane shrinks—the cane should be moved occasionally until it
commences dripping freely. I think,
if your cane is thoroughly ripe, by following the directions above you will be
successful.
Respectfully Yours,
_______
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, August 17, 1864, p. 2, c. 3
Independence, August 14th, 1864.
Ed. News:--Will you allow me to make a statement as to the condition of
affairs east of the Mississippi river, for the information of your many readers,
who are, to a great extent, cut off from all means of information.
And as I visited most of the troops, I can speak with certainty as to
their condition.
. . . I visited the hospitals [in Atlanta], and was gratified to find
they were so well kept; everything that can be done for the sick and wounded is
done, by both the army surgeons and the citizens, especially the ladies who are
as untiring in their devotion to the soldiers as they were when the war first
broke out. Nothing that will contribute to the comfort of the sick and
wounded is left undone. On the
route from Richmond, along the railroad, at every depot, I found ladies with
baskets of provisions for the soldiers, or else long tables set for them, and in
some instances, when citizens found it difficult to get something to eat, the
soldiers had more than they could eat. All
this kindness and devotion is not wasted—the soldiers are not insensible to
such kindness, and will never lay down their arms while the homes of such women
are in danger. I found the feeling
of the people to be hopeful and cheerful everywhere, the money very day, strange
as it may seem, in those districts that have been over run by the enemy and
where every thing was destroyed; for the Yankees left their trail in fire and
ruin; every village burnt, every cow, hog, sheep and chicken killed, the horses
and mules taken, and the provisions that could not be carried away were burnt,
yet among these people I found more kindness, patriotism and liberality than in
any other section. This contrasts
strangely with our people at home, for if they would only charge Yankee
batteries with half the unrelenting, savage ferocity that they charge wounded,
sick and furloughed soldiers coming home or returning to the army, my deliberate
opinion is that the Yankees wouldn't have a cannon left in their army in a week.
And why it is in our State that there are not soldiers' homes all through
the country, I am at a loss to imagine. Texas
is overflowing with provisions, has never been invaded, (thanks to the
soldiers,) and our people have both the means and the time to do this much for
our soldiers, and it is their duty. It
is humiliating to think that a man who has returned wounded, a cripple for life,
should be charged a month's wages for a bed to sleep on and a little
bread and meat to eat. . . .
I visited Dr. Bryan's Hospital, at Auburn, where there are four hundred
sick and wounded soldiers. The Dr.
kindly showed me through the different wards, and even the kitchen.
I found it far ahead of the other hospitals, and the people of Texas
ought to contribute liberally to that hospital, for it is for Texas soldiers,
and contributes greatly to the comfort of our unfortunate sick and wounded.
The ladies at and in the vicinity of Auburn are doing all in their power
to aid in taking care of our men, and they deserve the thanks of our people for
their devotion to our wounded and sick soldiers.
Dr. Bryan has done his part nobly, and deserves the gratitude of our
State.
I will not trespass upon your space any further, Mr. Editor, and hope you
will pardon me for sending so long a communication, but hope you can make room
for it for the information it will give those whose sons are in the armies east
of the river.
Respectfully,
Jno. R. Baylor.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, August 24, 1864, p. 2, c. 3
Atlanta, July 22—Night.—A great battle has been fought, and splendid
successes achieved. . . The mourning hours passed slowly and solemnly.
Every face wore a look of despondency.
Shells were dropping in the streets, and sad groups of women and
children, with a temporary supply of provisions, were wending their way to the
woods. During the night, straggling
ruffians had broken into the stores, robbed them of such of their contents as
they wanted, and scattered the remainder through the streets. During the morning, these demoralizing scenes were repeated.
Abandoned women broke into the military shops, and men in the uniform of
soldiers gutted and pillaged premises from roof to cellar in search of tobacco
and whiskey. The office of the Southern Express Company underwent this
process far before day, and I enjoyed the melancholy privilege of seeing boxes,
papers, and everything mentionable, thrown in "confusion worse
confounded" on all sides. I
dwell on the subject with peculiar dissatisfaction, because of my own losses,
which leaves me minus of everything, from tooth brush to blanket, except the
clothes in which I stand. While
this indiscriminate pillaging was gong on, wagons, stragglers, citizens and
negroes, loaded with plunder, were hurrying out of town, fully impressed with
the idea that Atlanta was about to be abandoned.
Under these circumstances, it is no wonder that even the officers of the
army were in a measure despondent, and regarded the fortunes of the day as
decidedly unpromising.
Not until evening did this mood change.
Then it was ascertained that we had struck the enemy one of the severest
blows of the war. . .
A considerable number of Yankee wounded are lying in the depot.
Our own wounded are being sent to the various field hospitals.
The ladies of Atlanta have been kind beyond measure.
While the wounded are coming in, they go out to meet them, with water,
coffee and other refreshments, and after the wounds are dressed, visit the
various hospitals in the city and tenderly nurse the sufferers.
Confidence is restored in every heart, and no one now believes that
Atlanta will not be saved.
Personne.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, September 7, 1864, p. 2, c. 2
Goliad, Aug. 27, 1864.
. . . A Sunday School celebration, with dinner, addresses, &c., came off
here 25th inst., attended by several hundred ladies and but few
men—500 of our citizens being in the army, also by a company of soldiers
encamped in the vicinity. The
preliminary examination before C. S. Commissioner Burlage, at Austin, of five
citizens of this county, arrested by Col. Steel, for treason, takes place on the
29th inst. Some forty of
our citizens have gone to Austin as witnesses.
The Southern party carried the late election here four to one.
W.H.J.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, September 7, 1864, p. 2, c. 4
From Fort Smith.—The Washington Telegraph of the 17th ult.,
contains the following extract of a letter from Doaksville, C. N., August 7th,
1864. After recapitulating the news
of Gano's fight, heretofore published, the writer says:
"Since which time he went within one and a half miles of Fort Smith,
captured twelve prisoners, drove them from their fortifications, shelled them
for one hour, found he could not draw them out, therefore retired.
His loss, two killed—one having his head, the other his leg carried
away by a round shot. He then fell
back some distance, thinking they would pursue, which they did not do. Gen. Cooper then made an attack upon them in three
columns—he commanding the centre, Gen. Watie the left, and Gen. Gano the right
wing—drove in their pickets, captured 119 prisoners, and were, at last
accounts, shelling the place. The
Federals are reported as being greatly alarmed, and are, it is said, moving a
large number of barrels, boxes, etc., across the Arkansas river.
The supposition is that they are endeavoring to evacuate the place, which
they will be permitted to do, for the place is well fortified, and it would cost
us a good many men to take it. I
forgot to mention, that before Gano's second attack the Federals had been
reinforced by a regiment from Clarksville, Ark. I think we will take the place if they do not vacate it.
I think, from all accounts, their troops are discouraged—indeed,
demoralized. The negro troops are
frightened almost to death. They
have not forgotten the way the Choctaws served them in Arkansas."
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, September 7, 1864, p. 2, c. 3
A private letter from Fort Worth says:--"J. M. Luckey, of
Weatherford, was hung by a mob on the 1st inst.
This is the same Luckey that was arrested for treasonable conduct some
time since, by Major Quayle, and sent to Houston, and was there acquitted."
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, September 14, 1864, p. 2, c. 1
We have received a note from the Post Office Department, requesting us to
discontinue our private express. The
letter says: "Letters mailed at any point west of the Mississippi
river, prepaid forty cents and endorsed express mail via Shreveport, Louisiana,
will go across the river with as much certainty as if sent by private hands and
at an expense that does not tax so heavily the soldier or his family.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, September 14, 1864, p. 2, c. 2
It is difficult to tell whether treachery, falsehood, or impudence,
enters most largely into the composition of a Yankee.
Certain it is, that it requires the concentrated essence of all these virtues
(?) to make a complete Yankee. As
long as they confined their falsehoods to our men and government, they should be
permitted to pass for what they are worth.
But when they "reach up" to the "heart of the
rebellion—the women of the South—the depth of language should be sounded for
words to express our indignation. Had
the lie published below been concocted in the bottomless pit, and then traveled
through the length and breadth of that dark abode, it could not be blacker or
more malignant. Read it Southrons,
and let your blood beat quicker and grasp our rifles firmer:
"Somehow I notice, wherever our armies go they
succeed—conciliating the women with the greatest readiness.
My observation had convinced me that 'when this cruel war is over,' many
a starved rebel, driven into the service by his betrothed, will come home to
find her, whom he entered the army to defend, the wife of one of those terrible
Yankees—those hated puritans; and he will doubtless be spurned away as a
traitor, deserving the scorn and contempt of respectable people, deserving to be
deserted by his affianced. So it
will be in Atlanta. Many a Georgia
maiden will, ere a year has elapsed, thank her stars that some Yankee, whom she
hoped to see slain on the 4th, was allowed to survive and bless her
for life. But enough of
this—Mars, not Venus, calls."
What! the Georgia maiden unite herself in the marriage tie with him
who came for rape, murder, and plunder. No!
Not till Nature's laws are all reversed and virtue becomes a crime.
Had we the pencil of Raphael, and could transfer to the canvas this vile
invader, we would place him on a throne of skulls; at his feet should flow
rivers of blood; in the background the violated forms of helpless innocence;
then light the scene with blazing villages, and you would have an imperfect
picture of what is done by those who propose our subjugation.
In after ages, when the student of history shall read of the atrocities
of Butler, and Milroy, and Sturges, and Turchin—bating his breath—he will
disown his species and deny the existence of a Providence.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, September 14, 1864, p. 2, c. 3
Hempstead, Sept. 3d, 1864.
Ed. News.—I send you by this morning's train a specimen of bagging
manufactured here from common moss. The
warp is of cotton, and the filling moss. Its
superiority consists in the fact that the moss will not rot, however much it is
exposed to the weather, and all it costs is the gathering and rotting.
A small improvement on the fabric would make comfortable carpets, negro
blankets, &c.
It is made by Mrs. Lee, of this vicinity, and sent to you for inspection.
Very truly yours,
F. J. Cooke.
[The above letter explains itself. We
are not a judge of such things. We
invite those who are to call and examine it.—Ed.]
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, September 21, 1864, p. 1, c. 2
Waco, Sept. 1st, 1864.
Ed. News:--We have now all the machinery on the ground for a cotton and
woolen cloth Factory, and will begin to put it together in about two weeks.
We will need the services of thirty or forty operatives, and send an
advertisement to your pages, hoping that our wants may thus be found out by
parties who are skilled in manufacturing.
Yours truly,
Jno. B. Earle, Superintendent.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, September 21, 1864, p. 2, c. 1
Brenham, Texas, Sept. 9th, 1864.
Ed. News:--I send you a sample of wool dyed by Mrs. Caldwell and her
daughter, Miss Kate Caldwell. It is
the only home dye I have seen that strong soap and hot water will not fade.
Process.—Take the pear from the large size cactus, bruise it well, put
in a tub, a layer of the bruised pears and then a think layer of wool and
continue that until the tub is nearly full, put a light weight on it, add no
water, set it in the sun or by a stove for six or eight days and you have the
color of the sample. Nothing is required to set the color.
J.K.M.
The sample can be seen at our office.
It is what the ladies call salferreno [sic] color (we have no name for
it.) It is a reddish purple.
We are heartily glad at every success of this kind.
Until we become self-sustaining and self-supplying, we can never be a
free people.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, September 21, 1864, p. 2, c. 4
Burning
of Alexandria, La.
A correspondent of the St. Louis Republican, writing from Cairo,
Illinois, gave a description of the burning of Alexandria, La., by Bank's army,
which we have never seen on the Southern prints.
It is a very graphic sketch, and shows up the heartlessness and ferocity
of our oppressors. It is peculiarly
good reading just now, that the North is howling over Chambersburg.
Here it is:
When the gunboats were all over the falls, and the order to evacuate was
promulgated, and the army nearly on the march, some of our soldiers, both white
and black, as if by general understanding, set fire to the city, in nearly every
part, almost simultaneously. The
flames spread rapidly, increased by a heavy wind.
Most of the houses were of wooden structure, and were soon devoured by
the flames. Alexandria was a town
of between four and five thousand inhabitants.
All that part of the city north of the railroad was swept from the face
of the earth in a few hours, not a building being left.
About nine-tenths of the town was consumed, comprising all the business
part and all the fine residences, the "Ice-House Hotel," the Court
House, all the churches except the Catholic, a number of livery stables, and the
entire front row of large and splendid business houses.
The "Ice-House Hotel" was a large brick hotel, which must have
cost one hundred thousand dollars, and which was owned by Judge Arall, a member
of the late Constitutional Convention, who voted for immediate and unconditional
emancipation in Louisiana; which Convention also sent delegates to the Baltimore
Convention. While Judge A. was
serving the Administration, the Federal torch was applied to his house, his law
office, his private and law library, and all his household goods and effects.
All this property, be it remembered, has been protected for three years
by the Confederates, who all the time knew the Judge's Union proclivities.
Hundreds of other instances may be cited of Union men who have suffered
in like manner, et uno judice emne.
The scene attending the burning of the city were appalling.
Women, gathering their helpless babes in their arms, rushing frantically
through the streets with their screams and cries, that would have melted the
hardest heart to tears. Little boys
and girls were running hither and thither crying for their mothers and fathers;
old men, leaning on a staff for support to their trembling limbs, were hurrying
away from the suffocating heat of their burning dwellings and homes.
The fair and beautiful daughters of the South, whose fathers and brothers
were in one army or the other; the frail and helpless wives and children of
absent husbands and fathers, were, almost in the twinkling of an eye, driven
from their burning houses into the streets, leaving everything behind but the
clothes they then wore. Owing to the simultaneous burning in every part of the city,
the people found no security in the streets, where the heat was so intense as
almost to create suffocation. Everybody
rushed to the river's edge, being protected there from the heat by the high bank
of the river. The gunboats lying at
the landing were subjected to great annoyance, the heat being so great that the
decks had to be flooded with water to prevent the boats from taking fire.
Among those who thus crowded on the river bank were the wives, daughters,
and children, helpless, and now all houseless, of the Union men who had joined
the Federal army since the occupation of Alexandria.
Their husbands had already been marched off to the front, towards
Simmsport, leaving their families in their old homes, but to the tender mercies
of the Confederates.
The Federal torch had now destroyed their dwellings, their household
goods and apparel, the last morsel of provisions, and left them starving and
destitute. As might have been expected, they desired to go along with
the Federal army, where their husbands had gone.
They applied to Gen. Banks, with tears and entreaties, to be allowed to
go aboard the transports. They were
refused. They became frantic with
excitement and rage. Their screams
and piteous cries were heart-rending. With
tears streaming down their cheeks, women and children begged and implored the
boats to take them on board. The
officers of the boats were desirous of doing so, but there was the peremptory
order from Gen. Banks not to allow any white citizens to go aboard.
The officers of the boats. A
rush would have been made upon the boats, but there stood the guard, with fixed
bayonets, and none could mount the stage plank except they bore the special
permit of the Commanding General. Could
anything be more inhuman and cruel? But
this is not all.—Gen. Banks found room on his transports for six or seven
thousand negroes, who had been gathered in from the surrounding country.
Cotton that had been loaded on transports to be shipped through the
quartermaster to New Orleans, under Bank's order, was thrown overboard to make
room for negroes. But no room could be found for white women and children,
whose husbands and brothers were in the Federal army, and whose houses and all
had just been burned by the Federal torch!
I challenge the records of all wars for acts of such perfidy and cruelty.
But there is still another chapter in this perfidious military and
political campaign. Banks, on
arriving at Alexandria, told the people that his occupation of the country was
permanent; that he intended to protect all who would come forward and take the
oath of allegiance; while those who would not were threatened with banishment
and confiscation of property. An
election was held, and delegates were sent to the Constitutional Convention,
then in session in New Orleans. A
recruiting officer was appointed, and over a thousand white men were mustered
into the United States service. Quite
a number of permanent citizens of Alexandria took the oath and were promised
protection. Their houses and other
property have now all been reduced to ashes, and they turned out into the world
with nothing—absolutely nothing, save the amnesty oath! They could not now go to the Confederates and apply for
charity. They, too, applied to Gen.
Banks to be allowed to go aboard the transports and go to New Orleans.
They were refused in every instance!
Among those who applied was a Mr. Parker, a lawyer of feeble health, who
had been quite prominent making speeches since the Union occupation in favor of
the emancipation, unconditional Union, and the suppression of the rebellion.
Permission to go on a transport was refused him.
He could not stay, and hence, feeble as he was, he went afoot with the
army. Among the prominent citizens
who took the oath was John K. Elgee, of Alexandria.
Before the return of the army from Grand Ecore, Judge Elgee went to New
Orleans leaving h is family behind, expecting to return.
He was not able to do so before the evacuation of Alexandria.
Judge Elgee is one of the most accomplished and able men of the South.
A lawyer by profession, he occupied a prominent position, both
politically and socially, and has immense influence.
So great stress was placed upon his taking the oath, that one of our
bands serenaded him at his residence, and Gen. Grover and General Banks honored
him in every way possible. During
my stay at Alexandria, I had occasion to call upon the Judge at his residence,
and at his office—which were both in the same building—on business.
His law and literary library occupied three large rooms—being as fine a
collection of books as I ever saw.—His residence was richly and tastefully
furnished—a single painting cost twelve hundred dollars.
In his absence the Government he had sworn to support, and promised him
protection, allowed its soldiers to apply the torch to his dwelling and turn his
family into the streets. His fine
residence, with all its costly furniture, his books, papers, and his fine
paintings, were burned up. It may
be that many of the last-named articles will yet find their way to the North,
having been rescued from the flames by pilferers and thieves; for where arson is
resorted to, it is generally to cover theft.
J. Madison Wells, the Lieutenant-General of Louisiana, elected with Hahn,
by Gen. Banks's orders, was not spared. He
had been a Union man from the beginning. He
had a splendid residence in Alexandria, well and richly furnished, at which his
own and his son's family resided. His
son was absent in New Orleans, attending the Constitutional Convention, of which
he was a member, and in which he voted for abolition and all the ultra measures;
but that did not secure his family the protection of the government.
All was burned. Thousands of people—men, women and children—were, in a
few short hours, driven from comfortable homes into the streets.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, September 21, 1864, p. 2, c. 6
Ed. News:--I am happy to inform you that revivals of religion have been
numerous in our section of the country for the past few months.
At Mount Zion Methodist Church, (near Sweet Home,) Bro. Buckner Harris
and myself held a meeting for nearly four weeks, which resulted in forty
conversions and over fifty accessions to the Church.
In Hallettsville our Baptist brethren had a revival meeting of two weeks
duration. Result, about twenty-five additions to their Church.
Our meeting at Hallettsville continued eleven days.
Result, fifty-seven accessions to our Church.
At Concrete, Antioch, Orizaba, and other places around, similar success.
Glory to God in the highest—on earth peace—good will to men.
A. M. Box.
Sweet Home, Texas, Sept. 15, 1864.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, September 21, 1864, p. 2, c. 6
A correspondent writes to the Picayune from Baton Rouge, August 22, as
follows:
Flag of Truce.—The Steamer Laurel Hill arrived here on Sunday evening,
and afterwards cast anchor in the river close by.
She had on board about one hundred Confederate Prisoners for exchange. At sun rise this morning they disembarked and proceeded to
Redwood, about seventeen miles on the Clinton road. The exchange was to take place at 12 until 2 P.M., that
auspicious event (to the prisoners at least) did not come off until the latter
period.—The Federals were under the command of Colonel Landrum, of the 19th
Kentucky Volunteers. They and the
Confederates all commingled and spent a pleasant time.
The Confederates were accompanied by at least one hundred young ladies,
the pride and beauty of Louisiana. Many
of the Federal officers were completely captivated by their appearance. A young and gay officer told me to day that they (the
Federals) were perfectly astonished by the appearance the ladies presented.
Each lady had her basket well filled with provisions—ham sandwiches,
custards, jellies and other cuisine, showing there was no lack of the
sweets of life in Dixie. The Confederate Colonel Scott is considered a very gentlemanly
man and he caused a very favorable "notion" in the mind of his
antagonist.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, September 21, 1864, p. 2, c. 6
The Yankee prisoners who lately made their escape from Camp Groce, were
recaptured and brought back on the Beaumont train this evening.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, September 28, 1864, p. 1, c. 4
Two Yankee prisoners escaped from Camp Groce, about two weeks since.
One of them died on San Jacinto river, several miles above Gentry
station, and the other, finding it very lonesome in the woods, gave himself up
on Thursday last, to the gentleman doing Provost Marshal's duty on the T. &
N. O. railroad. Three others
escaped about the same time; two of them were captured by some members of
Spaight's Battalion, that below Spearement, and the third, being very sick, gave
himself up at Pine Isle station. Of
the two captured, one was brought here on the train to-day, the other was left
sick at the hospital at Beaumont.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, September 28, 1864, p. 1, c. 6
A Fiendish Outrage.—A correspondent of the Atlanta Appeal narrates the
annexed fiendish outrage: "A
body of Yankees went to the residence of Mr. Wm. Iverson, who lives about 16
miles north of Decatur, Ga., on last Saturday, and after destroying his effects
to their heart's content, laid hands on his daughter (about 16 years of age) and
by force, one after another, satisfying their hellish lust.
Her father attempted to take her from them, whom they beat with clubs,
which so disabled the old man that he has not been able to turn himself in bed
since, and, in all probability, will die of his injuries.
This beautiful and virtuous young lady expired before they left.
The Yankees came back next morning and dug a hole near the well, in the
yard, and put the corpse in and covered it.
Such accounts as these, we are well aware, are not generally fit to be
inserted in newspaper columns. We
publish this simply because we hope it will have the effect of rousing our
people to more energetic action in their endeavors to drive back a foe who is
seeking to devastate our fair State and to lay waste and render desolate happy
homes and firesides."
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, September 28, 1864, p. 2, c. 1
Four more of the Yankee prisoners who recently escaped from Camp Groce
were brought in by the train from Beaumont on Thursday.
Two gave themselves up at Sour Lake Station, one was captured near
Liberty and the other at Beaumont.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, September 28, 1864, p. 2, c. 1
The S. W. Express Company wishes us to say that they will take all
soldier freight at one half railroad rates, and all packages under five pounds
free of charge, for the present.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, September 28, 1864, p. 2, c. 1
The Texas Republican reached our office yesterday.
The editor intends to enlarge it so soon as he is certain of getting more
paper. We are truly glad our friend
Loughery has "resumed."
By the same mail we received the Army and Navy messenger.
The Messenger is a "soldiers paper," published at Shreveport,
and edited by the Reverends H. M. Smith and Wm. B. Norris.
We bid the Messenger "God speed," with its messages of love to
the army.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, September 27, 1864, p. 2, c. 7
Specie for Garden Seeds.—I will pay specie for the following
Seeds—growth of 1864: Beets, Onions, Carrots, parsley, Parsnips, Cauliflower,
Lettuce, Tomato, Indigo, Pepper, White Mustard, Radish, Egg-Plant, Poppy,
delivered by November, 1864.
James Burke.
September 27, 1864
skipped to October 26, 1864
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, October 26, 1864, p. 1, c. 1
Shreveport, Oct. 12, 1864.
Dear News:--The following extract of a letter written by an officer of
Gano's Brigade to Captain Stafford, furnishes additional and very interesting
particulars of the late brilliant affair in the Indian country near Cabin Creek.
Gano made a magnificent thing of it across the Arkansas river a few days
since. They captured a train of
over 250 wagons richly laden with all kinds of Quartermaster's, Commissary and
Sutler's stores, &c. After the
fight was over, and the wagons ours, Gano clothed completely 2000 men on the
spot with splendid Yankee coats, overcoats, pants, shirts, drawers, fine boots
and shoes, socks, hats, blankets, oilcloths, &c., &c.
He burnt all but 150 wagons, which he brought successfully away, heavily
laden with all kinds of stores. L______
is here and was with him. He ways
they had immense quantities of fine brandy, whiskey, champagne and all kinds of
sutler's stores, such as oysters, preserves, candied fruits, sardines, fine
cigars, &c., &c. I wish I
had been along. Howell was there
with his battery, and, they say, did fine service, but he had a clean thing of
it as the army had not artillery with the train. They
captured also three wagon loads of coffee and great quantities of calico; so
that no only the men are well clothed this winter, but many of the families of
the men engaged. The Brigade is
represented to be in splendid spirits and very much elated over their recent
success. Gano is a big man him, and
when you reflect that this capture was in the enemy's lines, 50 miles north of
Fort Gibson, you will see that it was one of the most magnificent cavalry raids
of the war. Fts. Gibson and Smith
are represented to be almost in a starving condition, and their evacuation may
be looked for any day.
The writer states that Gano's brigade is 4000 strong and occupies at
present a very eligible position not only for recruiting their animals, but for
movements against the enemy.
M. E.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, October 26, 1864, p. 2, c. 1
A letter from Fairfield says: "I
am pleased to inform you that there are now Soldiers' Homes established in this
county (Freestone) at three different points:
One at Fairfield, one at Cotton Gin, and one at Butler—there are two
separate houses at Butler at which soldiers can stop, one owned by H. Manning,
Esq., and the other by Mr. Wm. M. McDaniel.
All of the Homes are well supplied by the good citizens of the immediate
vicinity of each of said Homes."
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, October 26, 1864, p. 2, c. 4
Belle Boyd.—The Canada papers are lionizing the famous Virginia lady
Belle Boyd. She is described by the Kingston News as going about with a
pistol in her skirt belt and dogged by two Federal spies—whose business it
seems is to watch her.
Belle Boyd, it will be remembered, was captured while attempting to run
the blockade from Wilmington, on her way to Europe.
Long captivity has very much impaired her health, and she was about
recruiting it in the old world when retaken by the Yankees.
She is described as sitting very composedly on deck fanning herself, as
she watched the effects of the shots before the boat surrendered.
Belle Boyd is a young lady of striking appearances, tall, and with dark
auburn hair and brilliant complexion. On
some occasions she wears a somewhat singular costume.
A gray flannel dress, with a tightly fitting body buttoned up to the
throat with large gilt buttons; the sleeves are like a man's coat sleeves,
decorated with the insignia of her rank, that of a Captain in the Confederate
service. We believe that she is the
only regularly commissioned female officer in the Southern army.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, November 2, 1864, p. 1, c. 2
Escaped Prisoner Arrested by a Woman.—Mrs. Patterson, of Sumter county,
Ga., a few days ago arrested and returned a Federal prisoner who had escaped
from Camp Sumter. Prisoner
came to her house, she being alone, and asked for breakfast.—Under pretense of
preparing it, she procured a double barreled gun from another part of the house,
and presenting it to Mr. Prisoner, told him to march before her or she would
kill him. In this position she kept
him marching for seven miles, until she had turned him over to the guard at Camp
Sumter.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, November 2, 1864, p. 1, c. 4
Austin, Oct. 27, 1864.
Ed. News:--Since my last communication several important measures have
been reported from the committees having such measures under their special
charge, and have, to some extent, been under consideration.
The most important bill, and one which appeals more to the interests of
the citizens of the State, is the one presented from the Finance Committee,
presenting and recommending the mode and manner in which the former
appropriations for the relief of soldiers' families, and the indigent can be
carried more effectually into operation. They
propose to set apart 750,000 yards of cloth, manufactured by the Penitentiary,
to be distributed to the different counties, which can be sold or distributed,
as they may deem best. The sale, if
made, has to be done at public outcry, the currency, the time and the mode to be
determined by the County Court—The quota to which each county will be
entitled, is to be determined and allotted in accordance with the report of the
number of soldiers' families, or indigents, made by the respective County
Courts. The bill also provides that
County Courts may levy a special tax, not to exceed one half of one per cent.
for the purpose of giving additional means in aid of those requiring assistance.
The bill has been very carefully drawn, and reflects great credit upon
the judgment and ability of the gentlemen composing the same.
A bill has been introduced to repeal the present Liquor Law, which now so
uselessly encumbers the statute book. This
bill provides a license tax upon distilleries and bar rooms, and makes it a
penal offence for any one to engage in the distillation of any of the
agricultural products, without having paid said license.
Letters were laid before the Legislature from Gen. Smith, in reference to
the price charged by the State for cloth from the Penitentiary, viz:
$1.80 per yard, and urging a reduction of the same.
Also, a letter from the President of the Confederate States in relation
to the Frontier Organization, regretting that he cannot exercise the power to
exempt the same from the Conscript Law, but consenting to detail a sufficient
number, after enrollment, for the defence of the frontier.
Resolutions, in relation to the cotton transactions of the State, and
asking for information from the Governor, have also been passed; also, one as to
the necessity of abolishing the Military Board.
As the mail is just closing, I must do the same.
Exile.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, November 2, 1864, p. 2, c. 4
Squire
Smoothly's 18th Letter.
In which he desires Mr. Wigfall's Views on the
impressment system, and deprecates further
discussion of States Rights at this present.
The christening and the conflagration which
ensured, in which General Magruder's "sox"
are finally disposed of.
Brushy Fork of Sandies, Oct. 18, 1864.
Ed. News—Dear Sir:--After offerin of my pious regards I again take pen
in hand to write you these, and proud to hear tell you got back from the Rio
Grandy, through perils of land and sea, of robbers and of false brethrern, and
saw Cortina and Mr. Bradwell; and now home safe under the shadow of your own
vine and figtree and none to make you afeard, and the yaller fever much
abated—and again a writin of your News Paper and I hope and pray it may
continue to be wrote in the fear of God, and to the enlightenment of His
people—having due regard to them in authority and sustainin of law and order,
but at the same time not fearin to rebuke iniquity in high places—nor shunnin
to declar right in the face of all men, to the eend that the godly be encouraged
and the wicked put to shame—Amen. . .
We happened to a bad accident at my house at Thursday, which thanks be to
His name it want worse. We had a
christenin at my house. Mrs.
Kincaid she had the twins and my wife her little one, and three of the naybors
brung childring, making of six in all, and brother Raimy offishiated and made a
power full prayer, and was a comfortin season generally, and sat the supper in
an out cabin whar the weemin does thar weevin.
Well, after supper my dauter Jenny and some more of the young gals, they
gets General Magruder's sox and stuffs them with cotton, and sets the six babies
to the table, all in a row, and draws a sock on every babies head; and when all
hands was called to see, thar sot the six babies as bright as dollars, with the
General's name in gould thread, only upside down, round hits little head, and
them as spry as minks, a winkin and staring at the candles, and all as good as
gould and never whimpered, and the sox a stickin up like the General's legs was
in them, as natural as pigtracks, and lookin so sweet the weemin pitched right
in to kissin of them and some how upsot the table, and must have been then the
fire got in the cotton. Well,
between midnight and day hit broke out, and Mrs. Kincaid, she first, and cut the
cloth out of the loom, and saved nine yards for the boys pants, and got scorched
shockin, and fit the fire like a soldier, but the balance was all burned, loom
and all, and all the wool and cotton for spinnin, and the clock reel (the wheels
providentially was in the house), and we lost two par of cards and a whole bilin
of soap, and a cross cut saw, and a turkey hen and her settin of eggs onder the
floor, and all the dye stuff, and the grist from the mill, and all the taller
and the candle moulds, and two bushel of salt and a gourd of honey, and a heap
of things, besides them unfortunate sox—and not even a speck of the gould
thread to be found in the mornin. The
worst loss is the loom and the truck for spinnin, the weemin bein all hard at
it, to get cloth wove for the boys in the army before the cold weather, but
thankfull it want worse—"The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away,
blessed be the name of the Lord!"
And in regardin of the General's sox, the nayborhood talk is, they was
onlucky from the jump, but my reflection is, that if they had been sent right
along when they was nit, they out have been a comfort to him at this writing up
thar in the cold in Arkansaw, but if people has to wait for gould lace and the
like vanities, the right time gets past and the opportunity lost.
I close these, hoping you are enjoyin of reasonable health and a growin
and prosprerin, not only in temporal affairs, but in them that outlasts this
present vale of disappointment.
Yours to command,
Jasper Smoothly.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, November 9, 1864, p. 2, c. 1
The Dallas Herald contains an account of recent murders committed by
Indians and Jayhawkers. They
appeared in force of 300 or 400, near Camp Murrah, twelve miles west of Belknap,
and a portion of them had a fight with a scout from Bourland's company, four of
whom were killed, and one wounded mortally.
Several companies of the Frontier Regiment went in pursuit.
Up to the last accounts ten or twelve of our citizens had been killed,
and as many more wounded or missing.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, November 9, 1864, p. 2, c. 1
The LaGrange True Issue says: The
machinery for carding has arrived at the Hat Factory in this place, and will be
in operation in a few days. Maj.
Kampmann is one of those go ahead kind of men, that works himself, and makes
everything and everybody around, or under his control do the same.
The right man in the right place. We
expect to be enabled to report an increased number of soldier's hats turned out
from the manufactory in a short time. This
factory delivered to the Clothing Bureau at Houston, between 1600 and 1700 hats
during the month of October.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, November 9, 1864, p. 2, c. 1
Capt. Martin K. Snell, an old and well known citizen of Texas, is
reported to have been killed yesterday in Hempstead.
The circumstances are briefly stated to us as follows:
Capt. Snell having received some information in relation to the conduct
of a negro woman employed in the Hospital, went there for the purpose of
punishing her. Dr. Kerr, who, we
understand, is a physician in the Hospital, or fills some position there,
objected to the punishment of the woman. Whereupon
angry words ensued resulting in Snell's shooting Dr. Kerr twice, or shooting at
him twice with a pistol. Our
informant thinks Dr. Kerr was wounded slightly by both shots. By this time Dr. Kerr seized Capt. Snell took the pistol from
him and shot him in the breast, then beat him over the head with the pistol,
breaking in his skull. Capt. Snell
died soon after. These are all the
particulars we have received.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, November 23, 1864, p. 1, c. 5
According to a statement in the New York World more than one-third of the
newspapers in the United States, published four years ago, have suspended
publication. The aggregate circulation of the remainder has much
diminished. The price of all
printing materials has doubled and trebled, and of paper has almost quadrupled.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, November 30, 1864, p. 2, c. 2
We learn from Mr. Warren Adams that the Government mail arrangements for
crossing the Mississippi are entirely broken up.
A very large amount of mail matter, letters &c., has accumulated at
Brandon, Mississippi—several cart loads—and there is no prospect whatever
that it will ever be sent to its destination.
This mail matter has been accumulating there for the last two months, and
we presume, letters sent from this side have in like manner been accumulating at
Shreveport or Monroe during the same time.
Those of our citizens, therefore, who have depended on the Government
mail will understand that their letters have not gone forward, and are not
likely to go forward.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, December 7, 1864, p. 1, c. 6
Texas
News in the New York Herald
The New Orleans correspondent of the N. York Herald, dating Nov. 1st,
gives the following Texas items:
. . . Our returned prisoners state that immense quantities of cotton on wagons
pass the stockade at Tyler, Texas, on its way from Shreveport and vicinity over
the long road to Mexico and Brownsville.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, December 7, 1864, p. 2, c. 6
Camp Groce, Nov. 20th, 1864
Ed. News.-- . . . More than fourteen months have passed since that
brilliant achievement [Battle of Sabine Pass] was gained by a display of more
than ordinary skill and bravery, and the question naturally arises:
Where is Captain Odlum? I
saw him a few moments ago pass by with pale face and faltering step, for
sickness has sadly changed him. He
is still at the post of duty, obeying orders.
But why is he at Camp Groce, with a detachment of three companies,
guarding Yankee prisoners? Why is
it that he still wears the uniform of a Captain?
I had thought
"Honor and fame from no condition rise,
Act well your part, there all the honor lies!"
Captain Odlum has acted well his part, and although the stars of promotion may
never glitter upon the collar of his uniform, history will say he was a hero,
and the victory of Sabine Pass saved Texas from the horrors of vandal invasion.
VIM.
[We publish the above with great pleasure, but would remind the writer
that we believe Capt. Odlum was not present at the glorious victory achieved by
his company, which was then under the command of Lieutenant Dick Dowling.
But it was Captain Odlum's misfortune that he was absent, not his fault,
and we believe had he been present, the victory would have been equally
complete, though it could not have been more so. Nevertheless, Capt. Odlum has eminently earned promotion, and
every body would be gratified to see some reward bestowed upon that excellent
officer. But what promotion has
been conferred upon Lieut. Dowling for an achievement that saved our State from
invasion, and was universally pronounced the most marvelous and astonishing
exploit of the whole war.]
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, December 14, 1864, p. 1, c. 6
A Soldier's Home has been established in Dallas.
We believe there are now Soldiers' Homes in all the principal towns of
the State, and we should be glad to publish a full list of them for the
information of soldiers, if any one would give us a correct list.
We should have stated sooner that the Rev. Mr. Castleton, who has been so
indefatigable and successful in building up Soldiers' Homes, has obtained
important aid from Gen. E. Kirby Smith, who has issued an order authorizing
Commissaries to furnish subsistence stores to the superintendents of Soldiers'
Homes to the amount of what was consumed by soldiers during the previous month,
as shown by the superintendent's oath—to be paid for at Government prices.
This will prove an important aid, and our people should, therefore,
object the less to receive the low prices offered them by the Government, when
they see the use made of the supplies.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, December 14, 1864, p. 2, c. 2
A private letter from Brownsville, dated Nov. 25th, says
business is now very brisk there. A
few weeks ago there was but one store open, now they are to be found all over
the city. The writer met several
hundred teams on the road, returning with goods, and overtook as many more going
out loaded with cotton. Thieves, he
says, are very abundant, and horses and mules are stolen almost every night.
It is unsafe to leave teams without some person to guard them.
The price of stolen mules, he says, is $10 cash, and of "honest
mules," $75 cash. Our friend
P. J. Mahan was there, waiting for the arrival of his family.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, December 14, 1864, p. 2, c. 3
A letter in the Telegraph suggest that in Austin the Soldier's Home
Association have adopted a decided improvement on Rev. Mr. Castleton's plan;
to-wit: They have arranged with a hotel in Austin to accommodate
soldiers and their horses at the regular hotel rates, and this is what the
writer considers an improvement on the plan of having a house expressly
furnished for soldiers by the Association.
In this city the difference would be this:
By paying hotel prices it will cost the Association about four times what
they are now paying, but it is true that what the Association would lose the
hotels would gain.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, December 14, 1864, p. 2, c. 4
Sad Occurrence.—We regret to learn that on last Thursday night, Capt.
Graham, enrolling officer of Van Zandt county, while charging with a small
company of men a squad of deserters, in ambush, was shot.
He was not killed on the spot, but there is no prospect of his recovery. Capt. G. was a gallant man and one of the most efficient
officers in the service. What a
pity that so brave a man should be killed by a deserter.
We learn that the excitement among the citizens of that county is
intense; they have formed a large company, and are in pursuit of the deserters,
none of whom, as yet, have been captured.—Kaufmann Enquirer.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, December 14, 1864, p. 2, c. 4
The State Gazette informs us that Messrs. Smith and Nance have
established a wool carding machine on the Blanco, in Hays county.
We understand that there are now several such machines in various parts
of the State.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, December 14, 1864, p. 2, c. 4
The Huntsville Item says flour sold there on the 30th ult., at
$5 per hundred pounds. It also
corrects a mistake made, in relation to the price of woolens at the
Penitentiary, which it says is $1.50 per yard.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, December 14, 1864, p. 2, c. 7
Flake's Bulletin contains the following, some of which is condensed:
This morning three hundred and forty-three exchanged federal prisoners,
from Camp Groce, were sent out to the blockaders in charge of Col. Izymanski our
commissioner of exchange; also, twelve females and their children, who availed
themselves of the privilege granted to leave the country.
Among them were Mrs. Jack Hamilton and Mrs. Judge Duval. Col. Izymanski informs us that the prisoners delivered to-day
were exchanged for all our prisoners captured at Fort Gaines.
Arrangements are now making for the exchange of all our naval prisoners
captured in Mobile Bay by the enemy.
The only difficulty yet to be overcome is the unwillingness of the
Federals to include Admiral Buchanan in the exchange list.
Col. I will not conclude the exchange except Buchanan is included.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, December 14, 1864, p. 2, c. 7
Christmas is Coming!—A variety of finely bound books, with other
articles suitable for gifts during the approaching holidays—some on
hand—more expected.
James Burke.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, December 14, 1864, p. 2, c. 6
Mrs. Lancaster, of the Texas Ranger, says:
"We have heard it publicly asserted on the streets, that details
could be purchased in San Antonio, and that in Houston men were detailed for
other purposes than the good of the country.
The number of active young men that remain about Houston, gambling,
speculating, selling goods, keeping drinking saloons, &c., has been the
theme of conversation for some time, and we are now enabled to say, that a move
is on foot in the right direction, headed by a General who has earned his
laurels on many a bloody field, to place these men where they properly belong,
and to detect and punish those in office who have been transcending their
authority to the injury of the Confederacy.
Not only those about Houston, but men throughout the State, who have been
evading the service, will have to fall into ranks or do worse."
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, December 28, 1864, p. 1, c. 7
To
the Patriotic and Charitable.
Having been appointed by the County Court of Galveston county, to solicit
contributors of corn, bacon, and provisions generally, for the indigent women
and children of that county, I am compelled, as it will be impossible for me to
visit many of the citizens of the adjoining counties, to make an appeal through
the papers to the liberal and patriotic citizens of my State in their behalf. The peculiar situation of Galveston Island and the calamities
of this war have thrown the wives and children of many of our gallant soldiers
upon the county for support. The
county have thus far been able, unaided and alone, by using every exertion and
making every sacrifice, to support not only the resident destitute, but also
those who have temporarily made Galveston their home.
Sixteen hundred women and children are now the recipients of relief in
Galveston county—a number of whom are from other counties in this State.
The question was presented to the County Court, of either confining their
bounty to those who were of the county proper, or of making the necessities of
the applicants the only test and criterion for relief.
With a just and proper appreciation of their duty, they determined that
the pale cheek of the mother and the piteous cries of her little ones, was an
appeal which effaced all county lines; and, so long as human exertions could
procure a single bushel of meal, it should be equally divided among all.
I confess that the decision of my county was a source of pleasure to me,
and I would have been mortified if their judgment had prompted any other
conclusion.
I feel confident that the claims of the poor of this county are of such a
character, that the sympathies of the people of this State will provide a
generous response. Their property
destroyed by the repeated attacks of the enemy and by the acts of our own
forces; their town declared an entrenched camp, and the citizens subject to
military rules and regulations; deprived of those commercial pursuits, upon
which they so much depended for support; visited by pestilence and fire; with an
exhausted treasury, and even the bounty of the State anticipated and expended,
they are induced, as a last resort, to appeal to the benevolent of their sister
counties, and to urge them by every generous impulse that can move the human
heart to give of their abundance to the destitute and "loved ones" of
those who have either sealed with their lives their devotion to the cause of the
South, or beneath the proud banner of our State, are adding fresh laurels to her
wreath of fame.
To show how impossible it is for the county of Galveston to maintain
those dependent upon it, without some assistance, I will here state that the
article of wood alone, for the poor, costs more in that county than the entire
amount necessary to support the indigents of any county in this State.
If, with this brief statement of the situation and wants of those whose
sex and age, at all times, when in distress, have recommended themselves to our
kindly aid, any are disposed to assist us, in this our hour of trial and need,
donations of corn, bacon, flour and wood will be gladly received.
Those desirous of assisting with the articles above named, or in money to
be applied in procuring the necessaries of life, can address me, to the care of
"Editor of News," Houston, stating the articles and the amount of
their contribution, or they can ship the articles, or remit (if in money) the
amount to Messrs. Ball, Hutchings, & Co., Houston.
A few bales of cotton would prove very acceptable for distribution among
the poor, who have the cards furnished by the county, but not the staple.
It is desirable, as far as practicable, to have corn, which may be given,
shelled, in order to save transportation, and the County Court are prepared to
furnish sacks for this purpose. The
following gentlemen at places designated, will act as agents for the poor of
Galveston, viz: Geo. H.
Trabue, Esq., Millican; J. S. Vedder, Navasota; Hon. E. W. Baker and
Allen Lewis, Chappell Hill; Hon. D. C. Dickson and Hon. J. G. McDonald,
Anderson; N. N. John, Richmond; and Hon. C. W. Buckley, Sugar Land.
I will merely add, in conclusion, to the generous and patriotic of our
State, that every dollar they may donate shall be faithfully applied to the
purposes intended by the donors, and that the inmates of many an humble cottage
on our sea-girt isle, will call down blessings upon the heads of those, who, in
their hours of prosperity, forgot not the widows and the fatherless, and that
their generosity will make a record upon many a suffering heart, which time
itself will not erase.
Respectfully,
H. B. Andrews,
Agent for Galveston Co.
GALVESTON WEEKLY NEWS, December 28, 1864, p. 2, c. 1
Heroism
of Southern Women—Letter from a Mississippi Lady.
The following letter, written during the dark days of last winter by one
of Mississippi's noblest matrons, presents a vivid picture of Yankee rule, and
shows the undying spirit of heroism which prevails with our Southern women. It is worthy of preservation as a part of the history of the
times, and is addressed to a brae and distinguished officer commanding an
Alabama regiment:
Mississippi, January, 1864"
"I embrace this opportunity to let you know that we are still in the
land of Abraham, and permitted to breathe by taking the oath every few days.
How long we are to enjoy this blessing I know not.
We are carried to Abraham's bosom occasionally by the angelic Hessians,
where we are permitted to lift up our eyes, begging for bread, and to plead for
the crumbs that may fall from his table, but we are not allowed to sit in
council with the spirits of black men made white!
I could fill pages with the insult and injuries heaped upon us since I
saw you last. I then thought that
my cup of woe and bitterness was full (her son, a brave lad, having died of his
wounds received in battle;) but since, I have suffered every thing but death,
which would have been far preferable to the miserable existence spent in
LaGrange for a few months. We
begged our enemies to let us depart, but they seemed too [illegible] to liberate
the writhing pangs of the worm they had crushed under their feet, and though it
would make us too happy to breathe once more the air of Dixie.
In fact, they held us there until they could think of no other punishment
they could inflict on us; deprived of provisions, wood, and servants, we were
left at their tender mercies, until reason was tottering on her throne, and our
emaciated bodies a perfect wreck. Notwithstanding, thank Providence, my spirit has never been
subdued, but I seemed to acquire new energy and firmness to contend with these
demons of darkness!
I told them that when I became speechless, I would crack my nails at them
to indicate the miserable crawling vermin of their natures.
They gave me up at last as a hopeless case, and were very willing to get
rid of me, and I of them. I felt
truly happy when I got out of sight of the "blue devils," as we call
them. We are still in hearing of their reveille and sundown cannon,
which is unpleasant enough. We are
at their mercy, and live in continued dread.
It is truly disheartening to hear of so many disasters—nothing but
retreats. In the name of humanity, when will we stop?
Are we going to be chased around the world until we run into the sea?
Hundreds of our men quit the army and go to speculating with the Yankees.
Memphis is full of them—you can't walk the streets for these cowardly,
skulking renegades, calling themselves men.
How can we succeed unless we lay these dens of corruption in ashes?
What a miserable policy of our government to leave one city or village
standing, as a harbor for deserters, smugglers and runaway negroes. But for them, we should have 20,000 more men in the field
to-day.
Memphis is a negro Paradise. Miscegenation
is progressing to perfection, and soon the white race must become extinct.
If a negro comes home, his master is arrested and put in jail for
harboring deserters—another plan to steal your property.
Oh, that I could see a little hope for our deliverance.
Our prospects are growing more dark and gloomy, and some of our men seem
almost ready to kiss the rod which smites them.
Oh, if our army could only realize half the degradation that awaits them
and their families, surely it would nerve them to energy and great deeds of
heroism and daring. Life is but a
mockery in the hands of these monsters. When
will our people awaken, and unite as one man to drive these blood-thirsty
hirelings from our homes? Polluted,
desecrated, disgraced by their presence, Satan would blush to keep their
company, and, I am sure, would resign his commission and flee to other parts
more congenial to his Satanic majesty.
May heaven protect and save you from disease and Yankee bullets.
Learn to put your trust in Him who alone is able to save both soul and
body. Religion is worth all the
world, and nothing else is able to strengthen and support us in all times of
trouble and danger. May God
preserve you and yours, and our bleeding country."
What a consolation to this Spartan matron's heart to have heard of our
late victories, and how her hopes must have revived with Forrest's successes.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, December 28, 1864, p. 2, c. 1
Col. Andrews has returned from a trip to Huntsville, in behalf of the
poor of Galveston. He informs us
that he scarcely met a man who did not give something, in response to his
application, though it was not in his power to call on many.
He had an interview with the Directors of the Penitentiary, and was shown
through that establishment. He
speaks in the highest terms of the excellent system under which everything is
conducted, and of the good order apparent throughout.
He received every attention and civility from the Directors and Financial
Agent, who showed a disposition to do all they could to relieve the poor of
Galveston. For the purpose of
facilitating the distribution of the six hundred thousand yards of Penitentiary
cloth appropriated to soldiers' families by the late Legislature, the law
required the State to be divided into six districts, as nearly equal as
possible. The Financial Agent and
Directors were directed to district the State and to determine by lot the time
for each district to draw its share of the cloth.
The districting took place at Huntsville last Saturday.
The counties between the Trinity and Sabine, as high up as Houston
county, constitute the First District.
The counties above Houston county between the same rivers to the State
line constitute the 2d District. Col.
A. does not know exactly the counties constituting the 3d, 4th and 5th
Districts, but says the 6th District is composed of the extreme
Western counties. Galveston is in
the 4th District. After
the counties were districted the drawing took place, to determine the order in
which they are to be supplied with their respective quotas of the cloth.
The several Districts will receive the cloth in the following order:
1st District is the first to draw cloth; 6th
District is second to draw cloth; 4th District is the third to draw
cloth; 2d District is the fourth to draw cloth; 5th District is the
fifth to draw cloth; 3rd District is the sixth to draw cloth.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, December 28, 1864, p. 2, c. 5
The
Charge Against Wharton's Body Guard.
Anderson, Dec. 23d, 1864.
Editor News:--My attention has been called by a friend to an article
published in your paper of the 16th, (I think) and copied from a
Henderson paper, making very serious charges against the company known as
"Wharton's Body Guard." The
paper has been mislaid and I cannot quote more accurately from it.
Being a member of that company, I do not feel willing that the stigma of
such gross brutality as wantonly "firing at an inoffensive citizen while
standing in his own door, and firing into another house in the midst of ladies
and children," should rest upon it. You
express a charitable hope, Mr. editor, that the charges are not true.
In this case, I can assure you that they are not.
Our company was at Henderson only one night.
Strict orders were given not to straggle through or into the town, and a
guard was placed at proper points in the town to arrest all who should be found
there without a permit. No
permits were given that night. This
same slander—each some additions—was circulated at the time; the Capt. of
our company investigated the matter and reported the result to Gen. Wharton, who
was perfectly satisfied of the innocence of our company, and he is not a
man to be easily deceived. That some
persons may have committed outrages of the character complained of, may be true.
This I do not controvert, for I know nothing about it, but I think I
ought to know whether my company had any hand in it or not, as you, Mr. editor,
will acknowledge when I tell you I am a private and not yet eighteen years of
age. There are many other boys
about the same age in the company, and I suspect we are much like boys
everywhere, talking freely over (around the camp-fire) everything we
know; and, under all these means of information, I say to you that the charges
are untrue. These wanton attacks
upon the reputation of whole companies are to be deprecated.
Soldiers are bad enough, but some of us hope to live after this war is
over, and would like to keep our skirts free at least from absolute brutality.
There is another bad effect resulting from them, which I observed in our
company when we were in Henderson. It
produced a feeling of reckless defiance in many of the company. "We are charged," said they, "with crimes of
which we are wholly innocent—what incentive have we to good conduct?"
You must remember, Mr. editor, that we are only boys, and reason
generally only from our passions, but I can see that the effect of these charges
on our company is bad. Perhaps the publication of this feeble defence may result in
a little good, and this hope alone induces me to trouble you with this
communication.
A Member of Wharton Guard.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, December 28, 1864, p. 2, c. 7
Radish Seed.—A friend informs us that in a case of sickness, where a
blister was required, he found the radish seed pounded up as good as
mustard.—Macon (Miss.) Beacon.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, December 28, 1864, p. 2, c. 7
Soldiers'
Homes.
We learn from the Rev. Mr. Castleton that the following Homes are now
organized and in successful operation:
Beaumont
Jefferson county.
San Antonio
Bexar county.
Austin
Travis county.
New Braunfels
Comal county.
Corsicana
Navarro county.
Hillsboro'
Hill county.
Palestine
Anderson county.
Butler
Freestone county.
Fairfield
"
Cotton Gin
"
Springfield
Limestone county.
Mansfield
Louisiana.
Minden
Louisiana.
Homer
Louisiana.
Independence
Maj. Blanton's Hotel
Wash'n Co.
Waxahachie
Maj. Roger's Hotel
Ellis Co.
Ash Creek
Mr. Ward's
Hill Co.
Bastrop
Mr. Nicholson's Hotel
Bastrop Co.
Paris
[Name not known]
Lamar Co.
Mr. Castleton informs us that he believes there are as many as sixty
Homes in Texas, but that he cannot be positive as to the complete organization
of any but the above.
We omit from this above list several Homes that have been discontinued,
but which it is hoped will soon be reorganized.
Efforts are now being made to reorganize the Home in this city.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, December 28, 1864, p. 2, c. 7
Garden
Seeds.
For 1865.—By dint of effort, I have succeeded in obtaining, from
various foreign countries, a very general assortment of the Seeds most needed in
Texas.
Now is the time to secure a supply for planting next season.
In these unsettled and uncertain times, it may be emphatically said
"delays are dangerous." In
many parts of Texas gardening operations commence early in January. For peculiar reasons, obvious to all, a united effort should
be made to produce, next season, an abundant crop of vegetables.
I have made arrangements by way of Matamoros and Havana, to keep my Stock
regularly replenished. My prices, until February, 1865, are: Eight dollars per hundred papers; one dollar and twenty-five
cents per doze; one dozen papers (assorted), sent, post-paid, for one dollar and
fifty cents.
The above are specie rates. The
currency received at its market value. Soldiers'
families supplied at cost.
James Burke.
Houston, December 28th, 1864.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, December 28, 1864, p. 2, c. 7
Virginia
Tobacco Seed—Grown 1864.
I have a supply of Tobacco Seed grown in Virginia—bought in Richmond
and brought through by Warren Adams, Esq., mail carrier.
Price 50 cents per paper or $5.00 per dozen sent, pre-paid.
Each paper contains seed sufficient to produce one thousand plants.
James Burke.
Houston, December 28th, 1864.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, December 28, 1864, p. 2, c. 7
Holiday Gifts.—Books, for all ages.
Perfumery, Cologne, Fancy Soaps, Pictures, Gold Pens, Fine Cutlery, Fancy
Inkstands, &c., &c.
James Burke.
GALVESTON WEEKLY
NEWS, December 28, 1864, p. 2, c. 6
Bibles for Hood's Army.—Sixteen thousand copies of Bibles and
Testaments arrived in Selma, Ala., yesterday evening en route for Hood's
Army. They are the first
installment of the fifty thousand presented to the Confederate troops by the
American Bible Society of New York. They
came by way of Memphis.—Selma Mississippian.