Some More Old News. The Jan. 13th Galveston County News had an article "Battle of Galveston anniversary marked" by Marty Schladen.
On Jan. 12th, re-enactors commemorated the 145th anniversary of the Battle of Galveston at the City Cemetery where important figures from both sides of the battle are buried.
Stephen Schulze, commander of the Houston Chapter of the Sons of Union Veterans said the purpose was to honor the fallen on both sides.
The battle took place on New Year's morning, 1863. Galveston had been blockaded by the navy and the Union army captured Galveston in October.
On New Year's Eve, Confederate General John B. Magruder moved in to attack the city by both land and sea, sort of like Washington on crossing the Delaware. He also succeeded.
In the harbor, the USS Harriet Lane sank the Confederate steamer Neptune, but was then rammed by the Bayou City and, after a fight, was forced to surrender.
The Lane's wounded were taken ashore. Lt. Cmdr. Edward Lea, shot in the stomach, knew his father, Major Albert Lea was in Galveston as an engineer in the Confederate Army. He rushed to his son, but before he could arrive, his son died with the last words, "My father is here."
The Confederacy then held Galveston until the end of the war.
Schulze's group, which is named after Lea, spoke about the war divided families. In five speeches, the word "slavery" was never used. "The causes of this war are long settled," said Schulze.
Old B-Runner
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
