So, as I shared earlier this week, we had a little adventure last weekend.
And I DO love a little adventure, don't you?
It just so happens that there was a reenactment of the Battle of Galveston, its 149th.
Now, I have also shared that I've never been much of a history person, but that seems to be changing as it's not as much fun to watch these things if you don't know what's going on. And, to be honest
I had no recollection that there was even a battle in Galveston during the Civil War.
So, I'm going to try and give you as condensed a version as I can. And if you're not really into the history
of it then by all means skip this and proceed straight to the photos.
* * * * * * *
Okay, in October of 1862 the Union sailed some of their ships into the Galveston harbor and demanded
its surrender. And I guess I should note that at the time this was the most important port in Texas.
The Federal ships were fired on and they fired back. A truce was arranged so the island commander could move his troops to the mainland, and the Union ships continued to hold the harbor while they waited for back up to occupy the wharf and patrol the town.
In the meanwhile, the district commander of the island was replaced and he began to organize
the recapture of Galveston. He used two river steamers for the naval attack and gathered infantry and cavalry accompanied by artillery to cross the railroad bridge back to the island to capture the federals that were ashore.
It was New Year's night, 1863, and the confederates entered Galveston and opened fire. They weren't able to seize the wharf, because of all things their ladders were too short -oops - and the naval guns drove them back. In comes the river steamers that attack from behind, one sinks and the other one is able to seize one of the federal ships. One of the other federal ships runs aground and rather than surrender the union commander dies trying to blow up his own ship! That didn't work out so well for him and the other union ships decided
to sail back out to sea.
And so there you have it - Galveston was retaken but with the loss of 26 killed and 117 wounded as
well as 150 losses on the Union ships. . . The end.
It was a bit challenging to get good photos of the battle itself with all the bystanders as many of them
thought they were the only ones there with their cameras. And let's just say being short didn't help.
What I loved was that there were two encampments, one Union and one Confederate. The camps were set up as close as possible to how they would have been back in the Civil War.
For two days and nights they lived as authentically as they would have back in 1862,
sleeping in tents on straw beds . . .
and cooking their meals over an open fire.
Everywhere you turned within a few blocks you were transported back in time.....
The Union soldiers make their entrance into town,
and get ready for battle . . .
Here come the Confederates . . .
and a battle ensues . . . and it was LOUD!
I had lucky timing on this one - I sure never noticed the orange when they fired!
And there were a few casualties, not real of course!
We had the opportunity to talk with many of the men who participated and they even tried to recruit
my husband. In fact, one of them suggested that I should dress up and make a wooden box for my camera and follow them onto the battlefield so I could take pictures. Hmmm, now that might be kinda fun! ; )
{Shoot, edit, submit)
And as we were driving home, the timing was perfect to stop and capture a little sunset action. A few minutes
later and we would have missed it. But the real action is either right before a sunrise or right after the sunsets.
I still have more to share, stay tuned . . .
Hopefully, I will get back on track with Foto Friday's - I've been feeling a little under the weather lately.
I hope that you are all enjoying your weekend!
Love, Kim
XO
