(Private)
New Orleans, January 8th, 1863.
Dear Sir: A
disaster has occurred at Galveston, similar to that near Fortress Monroe when
the Cumberland and Congress were destroyed.
The rebels under Magruder, came down from Houston with four
boats (steam) protected by cotton bales. At the same time, a land force,
estimated from 3,000 to 7,000 crossed the bridge to the Island and occupied
Galveston. This occurred about one or two o'clock on the morning of Jan. 1st.
About 3 o'clock an attack was made by land and water on the Gunboats —which
were in the narrow channel within musket shot of the shore. The “Harriet Lane”
run into a rebel boat and sunk her, but became entangled in the wreck and could
not get off. She was carried by boarding and captured. Less than twenty of her
men are supposed to survive (out of 130). The Westfield (Flag Ship) was
aground. Commodore Renshaw sent off to the other vessels all the men and
officers except eight or ten, and then blew up the vessel and himself with her.
He did not intend to destroy himself, but the magazine took fire unexpectedly,
just as he was escaping. Two hundred and fifty men of a Massachusetts regiment
(infantry only) were posted in the town, and were all captured or killed. The
Gunboats had previous notice of the attack, and there must have been negligence
on the part of the officers. Our loss is — “Harriet Lane” captured, but
believed to be too much injured to be fit for sea for some time. The “Westfield”
blown up.
Two sailing vessels loaded with coal for the navy.
About 400 men killed or taken prisoners.
All the other vessels (two were Gunboats) escaped. The fight
lasted from three o'clock until 10 A. M.
Admiral Farragut, on receipt of the news, immediately
dispatched several vessels to Galveston, which will set things right again, I
hope. The 1st. Texas Reg't., Col. Davis, arrived, after the capture, on the S.
Ship “Cumbria,” and narrowly escaped capture. The reg't. numbers about 200 men,
who have all returned here.
The condition of things here does not seem to me to be very
satisfactory — but Gen. Banks has not been here long enough to determine the
prospect of improvement.
I think Gen. Banks lacks decision. With one or two
exceptions, his staff are not men of ability. He seems to favor the policy of
conciliation — which policy is weak and will always be unsuccessful. I can
hardly get him to express an opinion — or if he does, it does not seem to be an
earnest conviction. Secessionists grow more defiant and Union men despondent.
This, I hope, and think, will be changed. I believe he is thoroughly honest,
and he already has effected much good by putting down swindlers and army
speculators. Gen. Butler's military commission (Gen. Orders No. 91) did an
immense amount of mischief and injustice. Gen. Butler is an extraordinary man,
but did very wrong in all things connected with internal trade. I have
frequently heard Union men say they wished he was President, for though he
would make millions for himself during the first three months, he would finish
the war in three months more.
Gen. Banks has a very difficult position, for he comes here
a stranger and four weeks at least are necessary for him to become informed of
the situation.
The Government can finish this war in twelve months — in one
way and in only one. Arm the negroes. I am perfectly satisfied it must be done.
Why delay it? It can be done here without throwing the border states into a
fever. Here and in S. Carolina and not well elsewhere. I called upon Gen. Banks
this morning and urged the matter on his attention, as I have often done
before. He agreed with me that the war could be finished in that way, but seems
afraid of taking the responsibility. I wish I could assume the responsibility
for him. I would suggest that you write me a letter to be shown to Gen. Banks,
giving your opinion of the expediency of raising negro troops, and stating how
such a step will be regarded by the Administration. If he is assured in this
manner that the Government will approve, perhaps he will enlist the negroes.
There are at least 20,000 black men within our lines who will make good and
willing soldiers, 50,000 more can be raised west of the Mississippi as our army
advances.
The three colored regiments already organized, have
petitioned Gen. Banks to be put in the front rank at Port Hudson, that they may
have a chance of removing the stigma of alleged cowardice from their race, and
vindicate their rights and abilities as soldiers. I urge him to grant their
request, but do not know what he will do about it. The negroes all say they can
finish the war if the Gov't. will give them a chance. By no other means is
success certain. Why delay it?
If it had not been for speculations in the sugar crops, Gen.
Butler would have raised more regiments, but the men were wanted on the
plantations to take off the crops.
Our last dates from the North are of the 20th. December. It
is rumored that Gen. Butler may go into the Cabinet. I almost wish he would. He
is a man of wonderful energy, will, and ability, and will always be admired by
the Union men of New Orleans, even though he is believed by some to have
acquired great wealth here.
Military affairs remain in the same condition as when I last
wrote. Port Hudson has not been attacked and I don't know when it will be. The
rebels are said to be receiving re-inforcements there.
P. S. Gen. Hamilton is still here.
SOURCE: Diary and correspondence of Salmon P. Chase, Annual
Report of the American Historical Association for the Year 1902, Vol.
2, p. 345-7
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