The
Galveston Weekly News, Wednesday, September 21, 1864
During most of the Civil War, the Galveston
Weekly News (now the Galveston County Daily
News) was actually published in Houston. As a result, news items from the
island were sent as dated dispatches and often published several days after the actual
events described.
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Galveston,
Sept. 15th, 1864. ED.
NEWS: - Sickness has continued to spread quite rapidly within the last two days, and it is
now admitted, by even "the respectable physicians," that it is an epidemic. The
mortality thus far, has been greater than usual at the first introduction of yellow fever.
There is great dissatisfaction
among the troops stationed here on account of the scarcity of supplies in the Commissary
Department. This should be remedied. There can be no necessity for a lack of food in a
State producing such a vast surplusage of all commissary supplies, if agents were
efficient in their business. Farmers have generally exhibited great liberality in
furnishing our troops the necessaries of life, and will not be wanting now, if properly
appealed to.
BLOCKADE FLEET: - On the 14th,
flag-ship, side-wheel steamer, seven gunboats, and two supply vessels. A three-masted
propeller under way - two left in the evening. Flag of truce signalled this afternoon. On
the 15th, flag-ship, side-wheel steamer, five gunboats, and two supply vessels. One
gunboat left this morning for the north-east. Nine vessels here at present. Flag of truce
boat will go out this morning
Galveston, Sept. 17th, 1864.
ED. NEWS: - Last night a portion of
one of the commands on the Island attempted to take "French leave," via the
bridge. They were, however, frustrated in their designs by the timely arrival of Degan's
battery [sic., Dege’s] and a portion of the 2d Texas, who was drawn up in
line of battle to prevent their departure. The affair was soon settled without the sheding
of blood.
This morning several guns were
discharged from Fort Magruder on one of the blockaders which was lying too close to shore.
The blockader fired one shot in return, and moved off to a proper distance.
By order of Maj. Gen. [John G]
Walker's, published yesterday, we are now quarantined from Houston. 11 vessels [of the
Federal blockading fleet] outside. Yellow Fever still increasing.
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