Diary of William H. Cowdin, MS1977-0002.
Diary kept by First Lieutenant William H. Cowdin of the Massachusetts Infantry, 42nd Regiment, who was wounded and taken prisoner during the Battle of Galveston. The diary also includes lists of officers serving on the ships Harriet Lane, Morning Light, and Velocity, as well as officers of the 175th New York Volunteers.
Log of the Royal Yacht, MS1953-0001.
Log of the armed schooner Royal Yacht of the Confederate Navy, kept by Thomas Henry Chubb, Captain of the vessel. The log documents activities from May 21, 1862 to January 1, 1863 (the day of the Battle of Galveston), as well as daily wind and weather conditions, and cash expenditures.
Harvey Clark Eulogy, MS1928-0154.
Written tribute to Harvey Clark, who died during the Battle of Galveston on January 1, 1863. Clark volunteered as Lieutenant under Captain Harby of the CS Neptune.
Philip Crosby Tucker Report on the Harriet Lane, MS1927-0023.
Two copies of a report by Philip C. Tucker, Commissioner of Prize for the Eastern District of Texas, entitled In the Matter of the Confederate States of America vs. The Gunboat Steamship Called The "Harriet Lane." The report concerns a case during which evidence was taken from several witnesses before Tucker regarding the capture of the Harriet Lane and other vessels during the Battle of Galveston.
Josiah W. Witt letter, MS2000-0046.
This collection contains a letter from Josiah W. Witt, Private in Company K of the 42nd Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, to his sister and mother in Hardwick, Massachusetts. In the letter, Witt mentions news from the Battle of Galveston and describes camp life in Carrolton, Louisiana.
Battle of Galveston Union Prisoners, Special Collections Photographs #94.
Copy prints of four cartes de visite of Union soldiers captured in the Battle of Galveston, January 1, 1863.
Galveston, Texas, showing the Fortifications &c., Map 1025B.
From the Department of the Gulf Map No. 3. Prepared by the order of Major General N.P. Banks, this map is based on the Coast Survey charts made by W.S. Long's reconnaissance in December 1862. Movements of warships during the Battle of Galveston are drawn on the map.
Bennett H. Young Galley Proofs, MS1914-0001.
Galley proofs of "Texas Horsemen of the Sea. In Galveston Harbor, January, 1863," the seventh chapter of Bennett H. Young's Confederate Wizards of the Saddle, concerning General John Magruder and the Battle of Galveston during the American Civil War.
This collection contains a typescript of "Jacques Sees the Battle of Galveston," by Anne Nathan. The story revolves around the Battle of Galveston during the Civil War from the perspective of a character named Jacques Voudreaux.
St. George S. Lee Letter to John B. Magruder, MS1967-0051.
This collection contains a photostat of a letter from St. George S. Lee to General John Bankhead Magruder, dated Cuero, Texas, January 1863. In the letter, Lee describes the coat of arms that he created to honor Magruder for winning the Battle of Galveston. Also included is a letter dated August 23, 1967, from Margaret Hutchings, a descendant of Lee, to Alice Murphy of the Houston Post, giving more information about Lee.
Rodney Chipp Letters on the Galveston Blockade, MS2022-0018.
Two letters dated May and July 1863 from Rodney Chipp, the paymaster's steward on the U. S. S. "Katahdin." The "Katahdin" reinforced the Galveston blockade in 1863 and 1864 during the American Civil War. Chipp wrote the letters to his brother, Joseph Chipp, and described the capture and burning of the "Hanover" and the capture of the "Excelsior," both Confederate blockade runners.
J.O.L.O. Observatory Record Book, MS1927-0701.
Bound volume of record of watches kept by the members of the J.O.L.O. Observatory on top of the Hendley Building in Galveston during April-December 1861. The record reports on the wind and weather in Galveston and on all vessels in Galveston Bay or vicinity. The record also notes the arrival of the U.S.S. South Carolina in July 1861 that started the blockade of Galveston Harbor. Close examination of the volume failed to show meaning of the initials "J.O.L.O."
Jonathan M. Wainwright letter, MS1966-0038.
Letter dated November 18, 1862, written by Jonathan M. Wainwright while on board the Harriet Lane. The letter is addressed to Caroline Mason in Galveston and concerns the removal of machinery from Morgan L. Parry's Foundry. The letter includes a drawing of the Harriet Lane.
Civil War Galveston Pass, MS2017-0017.
This collection contains a C.S.A. pass from Galveston, June 5, 1864, issued to "H. Toebelmann Leader of Cook's Band to pass through the City of Galveston till half past 10 oclock at night." Because of the Union blockade that began in July 1861, Galveston was in dire straits by 1864 resulting in martial law. A pass, such as this one, would have been needed for travel.
D. Bradbury Papers, MS1933-0021.
Letter of Nahor Biggs Yard and Bradbury dated June 30, 1861 and a series of notes between the men concerning the resignation of General Sherman and the defense of Galveston.
First Regiment, Texas Heavy Artillery Muster Roll, MS1927-0018.
Muster roll for the 1st Regiment of Heavy Artillery, Confederate States Army, for July 1864; Colonel Joseph J. Cook, commanding; stationed at Galveston's Ft. Scurry. The roll lists soldiers on leave, under arrest, sick, and on "extra or daily" duty, among other information.
Texas Cavalry, 26th Regiment List of Members, MS28-0224.
List of Galveston residents who were members of X. B. Debray's (26th) Regiment of the Texas Cavalry during the American Civil War. The list is titled "Debray's Reunion Business."
Beers Family papers, MS1936-0045.
Boxes 1 and 2 contain personal and business correspondence between Galveston insurance executive Jonathan Sturges Beers and relatives and other associates regarding the Battle of Galveston, John Bankhead Magruder, and other events during the war.
Ruth Newlin Oliver papers, MS1971-0183.
Notebook of research materials about Galveston in the Civil War, compiled by Ruth N. Oliver and illustrated by Margie Henderson. Topics include the Battle of Galveston, fortifications in Galveston, blockade runners, and John Bankhead Magruder. Also included is a donation letter from Oliver addressed to Rosenberg Library.
Battle on the Bay: the Civil War Struggle for Galveston, by Edward T. Cotham, Jr. E 474 .1 .C67 1998
Galveston and the Civil War: an Island City in the Maelstrom, by James M. Schmidt. F 394 .G2 S24 2012
Gripon Family and Cora Collection, MS2019-0017.
Contains items relating to the steamboat Cora, including a Confederate Register of Vessels certificate, list of expenses, typescript accounts, and a claim against the U.S. government for the loss of the vessel during the Civil War.
Civil War Period Cartes de Visite, Special Collections Photographs #1
George A. Branard Diary, MS1940-0016.
Diary and notebook kept by George A. Branard of Galveston while stationed in Virginia during the Civil War from April 1864 to April 1865.
History of the Forty-Second Regiment Infantry, Massachusetts Volunteers, 1862, 1863, 1864, MS2007-0007.
This collection contains a copy of Sergeant-Major Charles P. Bosson's History of the Forty-Second Regiment Infantry, Massachusetts Volunteers, 1862, 1863, 1864, which chronicles the regiment's engagements in the South during the Civil War, including the Battle of Galveston. Also available in GTHC's book collection (E 513 .5 .42d).
Harry Noble Duble papers, MS1968-0013.
Letters from Duble to his fiancée/wife, Cecelia Chubb Duble, where he writes about his activities in and out of Galveston and his experiences as a prisoner during the Civil War.
Chubb Family Papers, MS1968-0011.
This collection contains a typescript compilation of genealogical material about the Chubb family, specifically Thomas B. Chubb, captain of the Confederate Navy vessel Royal Yacht.
C.S.A. Galveston Collection, MS1983-0062.
Collection of various orders and records of Confederate States of America officials, including the C.S.A. Army, C.S.A. Navy, and the C.S.A. District Court.
Edmund Jackson Davis Letters, MS1931-1191.
Letters from U.S. Brigadier General Edmund Jackson Davis (1827-1883) of Austin, Texas to William P. Doran of Brenham, Texas, relating incidents of the Civil War in Texas and the signing of the terms of surrender on a vessel off Galveston. The letters are dated August 3, 7, and 26, 1876. Also included is a newspaper account of the surrender.
Federal Writers' Guide of Galveston, MS1940-0022.
Four typewritten chapters from the unpublished Federal Writers' Guide of Galveston, including one about the Battle of Galveston, from the Work Projects Administration.
Sherman Family Scrapbook, MS1971-0191.
Scrapbook of news clippings relating mainly to Sidney Sherman and his family, including Civil War orders at Galveston; obituaries of General Sherman, Mrs. Sherman, and their children; and articles on the Battle of San Jacinto and the Harrisburg Railroad (later the Buffalo Bayou, Brazos, and Colorado Railroad).
Texas Infantry, 20th Regiment Log Book, MS1929-0023.
Morning report book of Company B of the 20th Texas Volunteer Infantry for December 1863 to May 1865; Captain John Wallis, commanding; Henry A. Landes, first sergeant.
4th Texas Infantry (Hood's Brigade), Company H, Muster Roll, MS04-0027.
Sixth Texas Field Battery Muster Roll, MS16-0004.
Terry's Texas Rangers Muster Roll, MS30-0891.
Texas Artillery, 1st Regiment Muster Roll, MS31-1173.
St. Martin Rangers Muster and Pay Roll, MS31-1174.
Galveston Home Guards Muster Rolls, MS33-0037.
First Texas Cavalry, C. S. A. Company D Roll, MS77-0011.
Muster roll listing officers and privates of the First Texas Cavalry of the Confederate States of America, Company D, captained by James C. Borden.
Bird's Eye View of Texas and New Mexico, Map 324A.
One map from the series of bird's-eye views of the southern coast published by John Bachmann during the early months of the Civil War. Each map gives a rough idea of the terrain and locates important towns, forts, and roads. The bird's-eye view also shows the federal blockading fleet.
Rebel Defenses of Galveston and Vicinity, Map 333A.
This map shows in red all the forts, redoubts, and batteries on Virginia Point, Galveston Island east of Teichman's Point, Pelican Island, and Bolivar Point. It ignores all the features within the city of Galveston (see Map 332B).
Map of Galveston, Texas. Showing the Rebel Line of Works, Map 332B.
A companion to no. 333, this map shows only the immediate city defenses. Like later bird's-eye view and insurance maps, this map shows the outline and site location of every existing building. One of the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey maps (see nos. 298 and 301) probably was the basis for this map. A line of breastworks surrounds the city. Railroad lines run through the city to supply batteries in the defense line and in outlying forts.
Coast of Texas and its Defenses, Map 1027B.
From The War of the Rebellion: a Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Created by Captain Tipton Walker, Chief of the Topographical Bureau of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. Drawn by P. Helferich and lithographed by Julius Bien & Co.
Situation of Fortifications of Galveston Island Extension, Map 1137A.
Map showing Galveston Island, Bolivar Peninsula, Pelican Island, and fortifications along West Bay and Galveston Bay.
Eagle Grove Battery, Map 1163B.
The Eagle Grove Battery was situated at Virginia Point, a key route for Confederate supply lines between Galveston and the mainland. From October 1862 to January 1863, the Confederate troops in Galveston withdrew to Virginia Point during the Union occupation of Galveston.
Updated 06/03/2025 KK
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