DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF: IMPORTANT OPERATIONS IN TEXAS; Our Forces Occupy the Approaches to Matagorda (12/13/1863)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 12/13/1863

[Homer_J_Simpson]

WASHINGTON, Saturday, Dec. 12.

A dispatch was to-day received at the headquarters of the army from Maj.-Gen. BANKS, commanding; the Department of the Gulf, inclosing a dispatch which had just been received from Maj.-Gen. WASHBURNB, at Fort Esperanza, Pass Cavallo, Matagorda Bay.

The command of the Bay gives us, substantially, the control of Central and Western Texas, and all of the important points on the east coast, except Galveston.

FORT ESPERANZA, Wednesday, Dec. 2.

At 1 A.M. Nov. 30, the rebels blew up the magazines of this fort, having evacuated two hours before.

It is a very large and complete work, bomb-proof, and partially cased with railroad iron. It had a garrison of one thousand men, who escaped, all but six. By reason of the continuance of the gale, the gunboats could not furnish me with launches to enable me to cut off their communications, nor could they take part in the attack. On the 29th we drove them from all their outworks, and advanced our sharpshooters well up to the fort. We captured ten guns, varying from twenty-four to one hundred and twenty-eight pounders.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 2025.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

Posting history, in reverse order

https://www.freerepublic.com/tag/by:homerjsimpson/index?tab=articles

To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by reply or freepmail.

Link to previous New York Times thread

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4202971/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

Department of the Gulf: Important Operations in Texas – 2-3
From Fortress Monroe: Capture of the Blockade-Runner Minna – 3
The Bark Emerald on Fire – 3
Interesting from the South: The Conspirators in Congress – 3
Department of the South: A Grand Review – 3-4
Our Prisoners at Richmond: The Distribution of Clothing and Food Sent from the North – 4
The Steamer Chesapeake: She Left Shelburne, N.S., on Friday Night – 4-5
From California: Gov. Stanford’s Message – 5
News from Washington: Our Special Washington Dispatches – 5
History of the War: The Campaign of 1863 – 5-12
Report of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue – 12
Editorial: The Raising of Armies – Proposed Change in the Conscription Law – 12-13
Editorial: Nurses for the Army – 13
The Two Messages – 13
Novel Reasons for Ending the Rebellion – 13
Satan’s Tricks with the Rebels – 13-14
Our Prospects for Peace and Reunion – 14
Editorial: The War in New-Zealand – 14
From Newbern, N.C.: The Blockade Very Imperfect – 14

[RWGinger]

I am trying to understand. On Nov 29 the Union drove the rebels back but on Nov 29 the Rebels blew up Fort Esperanza that the Union had evacuated all of the thousand exceot 6?