Lee, Samuel Phillips, 1812-1897 to Richard T. Renshaw

Lee annotates a clerical transcription of various dispatches and newspaper clippings concerning activities of the United States Navy in Texas during the Battle of Galveston. On recto, is a transcription of an article from the "Richmond Va Examiner" titled "Brilliant Naval Exploit: The "Harriet Lane" Captured, Another Steamer blown up with all on board." The article details the capture of the U.S.S. Harriet Lane at "two o'clock on New Year's morning" in Galveston Bay. The article also includes a short paragraph about the fate of another vessel: "The Westervelt [sic] under Commander Renshaw, determined not to be taken, and, after a consultation, officers and men agreeing, they blew her up, with all on board, including the Commander. Only eight escaped." Lee annotates this paragraph with the note "not true -- he is safe." On verso, is a transcription of a dispatch published in the "daily Richmond Enquirer," sent to the newspaper by John Bankhead Magruder. Magruder describes his victory over Union forces in the Battle of Galveston and reports that he has captured four Union vessels and "about 600 prisoners and a large quantity of valuable stores, arms, &c." The transcribed articles are both dated 10 January 1863.

The Battle of Galveston took place on 1 January 1863 and was a Confederate victory under Major General John Bankhead Magruder. Union forces were headed by Colonel Isaac S. Burrell and Commander William Bainbridge Renshaw, Richard T. Renshaw's brother. Commander W.B. Renshaw's vessel is erroneously listed as "The Westervelt" in Lee's transcribed article -- the ship was actually named the Westfield. Lee's annotation to the news of Renshaw's death is also incorrect. Renshaw and his crew did kill themselves when they lit fire to the U.S.S. Westfield to avoid capture.