The Picayune gives a long account of victories in Tennessee and at Vicksburg; we have slain many, taken prisoners many, and sunk ships. A report was circulated that the Texans had recovered Galveston, sunk some Federal vessels and captured others. This was believed by Confederates and hooted at by Unionists. Bets are passed but I feel in no humor for such things. We asked Mr. Roselius, our neighbor, of the news and were advised by him to believe no ” such trash” as that, but on the morning of the 5th of January the Yankee Delta admits the truth. The Harriet Lanewas boarded just after the moon had set and, after a desperate struggle, captured. The Westerfield, Commodore Renshaw, was threatened, but he blew up the vessel. The Delta claims a glorious martyrdom for him and his crew, as they were all destroyed with the vessel, but report proclaims the loss of life an accident, the blowing up of the boat only being intended. We had but four gunboats—half launch, half old steamers—yet the Federals here claim that their “fleet” escaped from them. Two companies of the 42nd Massachusetts regiment were captured, also two transports. This fight has made a profound and awful impression on me. It was bold, it was glorious! I can imagine our men, on their insecure crafts, stealing out into the bay under cover of darkness; the suspense, the surprise, the desperate, bloody struggle, the contending emotions of fear and hate, the confusion, the triumph, and, last of all, the horrible explosion. Ah, when will they let us go in peace and such things cease! Mrs. Roselius, as great a Southerner as exists, comes over every day to talk her “good Southern talk,” she says. She leaves her husband, who, though a native of Louisiana, is a Unionist. We have a sort of contention on political subjects whenever we meet. He wanted to bring some good Federal officers in. I told him “that he had better not try it,” and Ginnie laughingly said “if he could find a good one he might bring him in.”
