There is a considerable amount of material re Velasco.
Here are just two reports.
George Martin
July 4, 1862. -- Attack on United States vessels near Velasco, Tex.
11, 1862. -- Affair at Velasco, Tex.
HEADQUARTERS BATES' REGIMENT,
Velasco, Tex., July 5, 1862.
SIR: On the 3d instant, at dusk, I received information from Capt. William Saunders that there was a vessel outside, near San Luis. It was the impression of the pilots that she had some designs upon a cotton schooner in the canal, intending to capture or burn her. At Captain Saunders' request I issued him an order to take 40 of his men, without delay, repair to the cotton schooner, and defend her.
On the morning of the 4th a schooner was reported near shore this side of San Luis, on the peninsula, and soon afterwards I saw a large steamer coming from the west. When near the schooner the steamer opened fire. I started immediately for the scene of action. The schooner was about 6 miles east of this place. When about half way to the schooner I met Captain Saunders and his command. I halted them, ascertained that the schooner had been beached, and was out of gun-shot of the shore. Our men had been driven off by a constant fire of the enemy of shot and shell. I felt that Captain Saunders and his men had performed all that was in their power and with much hazard to their lives. I perceived, also, that the cotton schooner was in line with the steamer and beached; schooner with her sails lowered. Captain Saunders informed me that he thought her crew had abandoned her. I at once ordered a forward movement of Captain Saunders' company as skirmishers, and sent an order back to Velasco to Lieutenant Moss to move forward, with Captain Clark's infantry company as a reserve, to defend the schooner in the canal, and have no doubt that the presence of Captain Saunders and his men saved the schooner from conflagration. Fire was now seen to be raging on the beached schooner and shells were thrown at all who attempted to approach her. Captain Saunders disposed of his men in detachments near the scene of action, and advanced with a few of his men under fire to the burning schooner. Soon afterwards the steamer got under way, apparently abandoning all designs upon the schooner in the canal, and I ordered Captain Clark's company back to Velasco, and some of Captain Saunders' men also commenced to return, when, to my surprise, the steamer put back, came close in to shore near the cotton schooner, and landed three boats full of men under a brisk fire. Such of Captain Saunders' men who were within reach I ordered rapidly forward, with instructions to attack; others voluntarily returned, and shots were exchanged between the enemy and our force. The fire from the steamer upon our men became very galling, they firing round shot and shell at the rate of six per minute, and scattering our men whenever they formed. The enemy made no attempt to advance inward from the beach, and after remaining some time on shore retreated hastily to the steamer and put to sea.
We sustained no loss, although under a fire at times very heavy, and continued at intervals seven or eight hours, and saved from the burning schooner some $2,000 worth of stores, principally medicines.
I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,
J. BATES,
Colonel, Commanding
OR V9, pp. 609/10
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES FORCES,
Fort Esperanza, Tex., December 24, 1863.
Brig. Gen. CHARLES P. STONE, Chief of Staff:
GENERAL: I have reliable information that the rebels are in considerable force at Velasco and Quintana, under General [P. N.] Luckett. They have two strong forts there, the one at Velasco having eight or ten large siege guns, and that at Quintana something less. I am also informed that some of the guns captured on the Clifton and Sachem, at Sabine Pass, are mounted at Velasco. From information I have, I judge that they have not less than three regiments at these forts. They have also two steamboats there, one of which is supposed to be a gunboat. My information is as recent as yesterday.
I report the arrival and landing of the 30-pounder Parrott battery. I regret that the public service in Louisiana would not justify the sending the First Wisconsin Battery, which is thoroughly drilled and practiced as heavy artillerists, having worn out in the service one battery of 20-pounders. The battery sent is perfectly raw, having never fired a shot at friend or foe. I request that, while our animals are dying daily for forage, you would put a stop to sutlers monopolizing the transportation. The Jews have already appeared in force.
Respectfully, yours,
C. C. WASHBURN,
Major-General.
P. S.--Yesterday General Warren occupied Powderhorn (Indianola) with the First Brigade, First Division. They will reconnoiter to-morrow as far as Lavaca. I have visited Palacios; also stirred them up at the head of the peninsula.
[Inclosure.]
[The following is an] extract from communication from Major [William G.] Thompson, commanding at Mustang Island, dated December 22, 1863:
I have information from a reliable man, direct from Corpus Christi (with whom I have frequently communicated verbally), that all the forces in the State of Texas, west, are ordered to rendezvous at Columbia, on the Brazos River, about 30 miles from Galveston; that many of the Confederate troops have deserted, and that several companies refuse absolutely to go, and that hundreds are now hiding around Corpus Christi, and waiting the coming of our forces.
OR V26 Pt. 1, p. 878