“At this time two cotton boats attacked the Harriet Lane, driving the men from their guns, killing Captain Wainwright. The steamer Owasco came up and fired a few shots, also the Clifton, who had fired but seven or eight shots when a flag of truce was entertained, and they agreed to cease hostilities for three hours, and immediately dropped down stream without consulting me at all in the matter. At this time the enemy were in full retreat from the wharf; the artillery had limbered up and withdrawn.
“In a short time they returned, and immediately put their guns in position and opened fire. I had no alternative but to surrender after the fleet had left. Entirely deserted by the navy in a cowardly manner. They had agreed to take my command off the wharf if we were hard pressed. The steamers Clifton and Owasco passed by, but refused to render any assistance. After receiving the fire of the enemy for a half-hour, and receiving no assistance, I was compelled to surrender myself and my command.
“The fleet, at the expiration of the three hours agreed upon by flag of truce (except the Westfield, which was blown up), ran out of the harbor without firing a shot.
“It is my opinion and belief that Commander Renshaw was a traitor, he being in constant communication with the enemy. Commander Law proved himself unworthy of his command. In not holding Galveston we lost the key to Texas.
“Enclosed please find the report of my excellent and lamented surgeon, Dr. A. I. Cummings.
“The following is a list of the amount of property lost and surrendered: two hundred and seventy small-arms, (one hundred and eighty Springfield smooth-bores and ninety Springfield rifles); equipments for two hundred and sixty men; medical stores to the amount of $1,000; one set of surgical instruments; twenty A tents and three wall tents; five boxes of ammunition; twenty days’ rations for two hundred and sixty men.
“I remain, major,
“Very respectfully, “I. S. BURRELL, “Colonel 42d Regt. Mass. Vols.”
Admiral Farragut severely censured the naval officers for their conduct in this action, and would not listen to any explanations. He was chagrined at the capture of the Harriet Lane. When her crew, under parole, reported to him, on their return to the Federal lines, he gave them a severe lecture, and accused each and every man of cowardice, threatening to punish those who tried to offer an excuse. The sailors said they had never seen the “old man” so mad. A bitter feeling existed among the Harriet Lane’s crew against the Clifton’s crew, which led to several fistic encounters in New Orleans, when they met each other.
A full inquiry into the cause of the disaster had been made by Admiral Farragut. A court-martial, held on board the flag-ship Hartford, had resulted in condemning Commanders Law and Wilson. The blame for this defeat had been placed where it belonged, and when the exchanged officers of the regiment left New Orleans for New York, General Banks placed in the colonel’s hands the following letter: