Bound volume of record of watches kept by the members of the J.O.L.O. Observatory on top of the Hendley Building, Galveston, 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."
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.
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.
Diary and notebook kept by George A. Branard of Galveston during the Civil War from April 1864 to April 1865, while in the Confederate Army.
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. A picture of the Harriet Lane is also included.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Four typewritten chapters from the unpublished Federal Writers' Guide of Galveston, including one about the Battle of Galveston, from the Work Projects Administration.
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).
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.
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."
Muster roll listing officers and privates of the First Texas Cavalry of the Confederate States of America, Company D, captained by James C. Borden.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
Map showing Galveston Island, Bolivar Peninsula, Pelican Island, and fortifications along West Bay and Galveston Bay.
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 03/29/2025 KK
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