Galveston, TX
2012

Photos/text this page courtesy of William Bozic, Houston, TX
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Battle of Galveston 150th Anniversary   
 
Galveston 2004
Galveston 2006
Galveston 2009
Galveston 2011
Galveston 2012
Galveston 2013

Galveston Cemetery: www.CivilWarAlbum.com
 

 

Dignified Resignation
  
(2012) Enlarge This statue was sculpted by Louis Amateis and dedicated June 3, 1912. The photo was taken on the 100th anniversary of the dedication-June3, 2012 The statue is in the Galveston County Courthouse Square, Galveston, Texas.
 
From the rededication program " The monument is inscribed Dignified Resignation and is interpreted: The bronze figure stands with his broken sword, and behind him is a dismantled and useless cannon with a cannonball balanced on top. An anchor and foliage are under the cannon. Defeated, yet his head is raised proudly and in his hand the flag of the Confederacy which he presses to his heart in a last act of farewell and honor."
 
In 1910 funding to commission the monument was from the United Daughters of the Confederacy Veuve Jefferson Davis 17, Galveston. Mollie R. M. Rosenberg, President."

 

 

Galveston Island Marker

(2012) Enlarge On State Highway 87 at the ferry landing next to the Texas flagpole. There is a parking area, otherwise the road ends at the ferry to Boliver Peninsula and there is usually a line of cars ready to move when the ferry arrives, so it is best to park in the lot if a view of the marker is desired. If possible, stop to look across the entrance to Galveston Bay to imagine how things must have been.
 
"Few spots have played a more exciting role in the life of Texas than Galveston Island. Cabeza de Vaca, the Spanish explorer, wrote of the cannibalistic Karankawa Indians when he was shipwrecked here in 1528. The island became headquarters for Jean Lafitte and other adventurers between 1815 and 1821. Importance of the harbor was recognized as early as 1825 when Stephen F. Austin petitioned the Mexican government to establish a port. Galveston became temporary capital of the Republic in April, 1836, when President David G. Burnet fled here at the approach of Mexican Gen. Santa Anna. After the revolution Galveston's place as first city of the Republic became fixed. Immigrants poured through the port. The Texas Navy was berthed here. With statehood in 1845 came continued growth; Texas first telegraph (1854), first national bank (1865), first electric lights (1888). Capture and recapture of Galveston were principal Texas engagements of the Civil War. The port fell to blockading Union troops Oct. 4, 1862. It was retaken Jan. 1, 1863, by Gen. John B. Magruder and remained in Confederate hands. Galveston was again on the nation's lips Sept. 8, 1900, when a hurricane packing winds of 120 mph swept a vast tidal wave across the island, killing 5,000. No other American disaster has taken a greater toll. The storm had two immediate results -- construction of a protective seawall 17 feet high and 7-1/2 miles long and creation of a commission form of city government, an innovation that spread to other American municipalities. The port remains one of the state's most important, handling more Sulfur than any in the world. Important to sightseers and motorists are the toll-free ferries operated by the Texas Highway Department across the 2-1/2-mile strait between the island and Port Bolivar."

 

 

Galveston CSA

(2012) Enlarge  Detail This marker is located at the Galveston Yacht Club - 4th St. (Holiday at Albacore Ave) A security gate must be cleared before entry to the marker site.
 
"Most important Texas seaport during the Civil War. Had consulates of England, France and Spain and worldwide recognition as a cotton exporter. Set up defenses including 10 mud forts and gun batteries on beaches, at railroad depot and on Pelican Spit. Continued shipping cotton in spite of Federal blockade which began in July 1861. Blockade runners used speed, shallow draft ships, wit and courage to escape the Federal ships and haul cotton to Nassau, Havana or Europe and return with guns, medicines and other goods essential to the Confederacy. In Oct. 1862, lack of guns large enough to stop a Federal bombardment caused Gov. F. R. Lubbock to call for evacuation of civilians. The 42nd Massachusetts regiment occupied the city Dec. 25. A week later, Jan. 1, 1863, Confederates recaptured it with forces led by Gen. John B. Magruder, Col. Tom Green and Capts. Leon Smith and Henry Lubbock with "Horse Marines" (mounted Rangers) and "Cotton Clads" (ships walled in cotton bales with gun embrasures). The Trans-Miss. Dept., last Confederate force to surrender, signed terms here June 2, 1865. Federal occupation on June 19 proclaimed Emancipation, and ex-slaves afterwards celebrated "Juneteenth." 1965.

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