George S. Denison to Salmon P. Chase, September 30, 1862

(Private.)

New Orleans, Sept. 30th, 1862.

Dear Sir: I am informed that six gunboats left this vicinity four days ago, to attack Galveston. I do not know how many troops were on board, but not a large number. It is the intention to destroy the bridge connecting the island with the mainland, and capture the Texas force which occupies Galveston.¹

Five regiments of infantry (with proper proportion of Cavalry and Artillery) will start in about a week, on an expedition into the enemy's country. Gen. Weitzel will have command. I am not positively certain, but think, that their destination is North Eastern Texas, which they will easily reach by ascending Red River.

The Schooner "Elma" was seized by me, her owner refusing to give up her Confederate papers, or to take out U. S. papers. Vessel and cargo were worth less than $3,000. I sent her to N. Y. in charge of one Valleau, who was highly recommended by military officers and others.

I am informed that this vessel was run ashore on Dauphine Island off Mobile, and destroyed. She was small and old. Either she run ashore in a storm, or what is more probable, Valleau tried to run the Blockade into Mobile, and was so hard pressed by a Gunboat that he run the vessel ashore so as to prevent capture. This is the first accident which has occurred, but luckily neither vessel nor cargo was valuable. She had on board 40 bars iron for plating Gunboats, put in as ballast.

You expected the Navy to assist me. They have never given me the least help, and I am obliged to take the whole responsibility of forwarding vessels to New York.

The Light at South Pass will be relighted to-morrow night for the first time. I go down to the mouth of the River today to attend to it.

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¹ A successful attack was made on Galveston on October 6. The boats began to arrive off Galveston on October 3. Cf. Rebellion Records Series I, Vol. XV, passim.

SOURCE: Diary and correspondence of Salmon P. Chase, Annual Report of the American Historical Association for the Year 1902, Vol. 2, p. 317-8

Brigadier-General Thomas Kilby Smith to Eliza Walter Smith, March 23, 1865

Headquarters District Of South Alabama,

Fort Gaines, Ala., March 23, 1865.

My Dear Mother:

A glance at the map will show you the locality of “Dauphine Island” and Fort Gaines, my headquarters for the present. It is just beyond Grant's Pass, at the entrance of Mobile Bay, about twenty-eight miles from the city of Mobile, and about one hundred and eighty miles from New Orleans. The island is not many miles in circumference, and, save on one side, the view from it is only bounded by the horizon, it has little vegetation but pine trees, and the surface is covered with fine, white perfectly clean sand, almost as free from impurities as snow. The beaches are fine, and the music of the surf is always in my ear. Oysters and fish of the finest varieties abound and I have every facility for taking them. I have never seen oysters so fat or of so delicate flavor, and I am told that they are good and wholesome every month in the year. I am fortunate in having secured a most excellent cook, whose specialty seems to be the preparation of oysters, and really I have eaten no other food except bread since I have been here. During present operations, and until I move to headquarters, I shall be in daily communication with New Orleans, newspapers from whence reach me within twenty-four hours of publication. The air here is most delicious, and is said to be highly salubrious. From time immemorial the citizens of New Orleans and Southern Louisiana have resorted here for the benefit of health, and these islands, and the coast near by have been ever free from the ravages of yellow fever. I look southward over the open sea towards Havana, and it is from the West Indies that the pleasant south wind comes. My health improves, my bowels have not troubled me for a good while, and under God I am blessed with the most favorable opportunity possible to recuperate my well-nigh exhausted energies.

My anxiety will be great until I hear of the return in safety of my dear wife. I left her in what to her was an embarrassing situation, and I am proud to say she governed herself like a true heroine, and though left entirely alone in a strange hotel, in a strange city, and among entire strangers, she bore herself at my sudden departure like a true soldier's wife, without a whimper. I left Walter on the street without a good-bye. I pray to God they have got home safe.

SOURCE: Walter George Smith, Life and letters of Thomas Kilby Smith, p. 380-1