Galveston Historical Foundation To Host Battle Of Galveston Commemoration Events January 8, 9 And 10
The Civil War Battle of Galveston, which took place during the early morning hours of January 1, 1863, is widely acknowledged as the most important military event in Galveston’s history.
On January 8, 9 and 10, 2010, Galveston Historical Foundation will host a series of events, reenactments and tours to commemorate this battle.
BATTLE OF GALVESTON REENACTMENT: January 9, 2 p.m.; January 10, 1 p.m. The
Strand between 20th and 23rd streets. Free and open to the public.
LIVING HISTORY ENCAMPMENTS: BLUE AND GRAY: January 9 and 10, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Downtown Strand District and 1861 Custom House. Free and open to the public. Members of the 19th Century Living History Association will set up camps representing both Northern and Southern forces. The Union encampment will be on the grounds around 1861 Custom House at 20th and Postoffice Streets. The Confederate reenactors will set up camp on the grounds of the Railroad Museum at 25th and Strand.
BATTLE OF GALVESTON WALKING TOURS: January 9, 12 noon and 4 p.m.; January 10, 2:30 p.m. One-hour tour begins at 20th and Strand. ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED: $10 GHF members; $12 non-GHF members. To register, go to www.galvestonhistory.org.
CIVIL WAR CEMETERY TOUR: January 9, 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. One-hour tour begins at Broadway Cemetery, 40th and K. ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED: $10 for GHF members, $12 non-GHF members. Free for children 5 and under. To register, go to www.galvestonhistory.org.
CIVIL WAR GALVESTON DRIVING TOUR: January 8 at 4 p.m.; January 9 at 12 noon; January 10 at 4 p.m. One-hour tour begins at 1861 Custom House, corner of 20th and Postoffice streets. ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED: $20 GHF members; $25 non-GHF members. To register, go to www.galvestonhistory.org.
BATTLE OF GALVESTON HARBOR TOUR: January 8, 9, and 10, 4 p.m., onboard Galveston Historical Foundation’s motor vessel, Seagull II. One-hour tour boards at Texas Seaport Museum, Pier 22. ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Adults $12, Students (4-17) $10; Children 3 and under free. To register, go to www.galvestonhistory.org.
Played out on both land and sea, in a drama that unfolded over the course of several months, the Battle of Galveston ended with Confederate forces driving out the Union ships that had held Galveston Harbor since October, 1862. As part of the Union blockade of the Texas coast, Commander William B. Renshaw and his squadron of eight Union ships demanded surrender by Confederate Forces of Galveston Harbor, the most important Texas port, on October 4, 1862.
But Confederate Major General John Bankhead Magruder led a successful campaign to retake Galveston early on New Year’s morning, January 1, 1863. Confederate “cottonclads” struck from the rear of the Union squadron. A naval battle ensued with Magruder’s forces retaking Galveston. Confederate losses numbered 26 killed and 117 wounded. Union losses included the captured infantry and the Harriet Lane, about 150 casualties on the naval ships, and destruction of the Westfield. The port remained under Confederate control for the rest of the war.
Galveston Historical Foundation’s series of commemorative events will offer full details and descriptions of many aspects of the battle by several experts in the field.
Civil War Historian Edward T. Cotham will lead the one-hour walking and harbor tours. His book “Battle on the Bay: The Civil War Struggle for Galveston,” will be available for sale and signing.
Cemetery historian Linda McBee will give the one-hour Civil War tour of the Broadway Cemetery, which will include visits to the grave of Confederate General John Bankhead Magruder, the monument to those who perished during the Battle of Galveston, and the graves of other notable Civil War figures.
GHF Director of Preservation and Conservation Services, Brian M. Davis, will lead the one-hour driving tour that focuses on Galveston’s unique collection of antebellum architecture. Locations along the waterfront used as forts during the Civil War will also be highlighted.
Scores of reenactors from both Union and Confederate reenactment groups from across the Southwest, supervised by 19th Century Living History Association representatives, are expected to participate in the encampments and reenactments planned to take place throughout Galveston’s downtown areas.
For more information about Battle of Galveston Commemoration events and tours, call Galveston Historical Foundation at 409-765-7834. Limited spaces are available for all the tours. To make tour reservations, go to www.galvestonhistory.org.
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