The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 51, July 1947 - April, 1948 Page: 113
406 p. : ill., ports. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Confederate Loss and Recapture of Galveston
of truce were flying at his request, and it would appear, if he
continued to shell the city, that he had no respect for the con-
ventions of war; in addition, there was grave danger of killing
or injuring foreigners living within the city, or of destroying
their property, thus making his government liable to the charge
of bestiality and barbarism. Even though he was convinced that
the firing from Fort Point had been a deliberate attempt to put
the Union forces in a false light in the eyes of the many foreign
consuls and residents of Galveston and to embroil his govern-
ment in diplomatic wrangling with the foreign governments, he
decided to break off the engagement.' This he could well afford
to do since the firing from the city was ineffectual and sporadic,
soon dying out. While Renshaw doubted not the iniquitous
nature of the "attack" by the Confederate battery, Cook assumed
that Renshaw's action had been a deliberate attack under the
protection of a flag of truce. At any rate, immediately after the
"cease fire" order had been given, Renshaw anchored and waited
for the boat bearing the Confederate messengers.
Renshaw demanded an immediate surrender of the city, the
alternative being an attack by the entire Union force. The de-
fenders declined the terms, reminding Renshaw that the respon-
sibility for the destruction of foreign property and the loss of
civilian lives, both foreigners and citizens of Galveston, would
rest with the Union commander in case of an attack on the city.
Because of this condition, and at the insistence of the Confed-
erate officers, a truce was finally arranged between the hostile
forces.
The truce was to last four days, thus allowing ample time for
noncombatants to leave the city if they so desired, during which
time the Federal fleet was not to approach any nearer to the city
and the defending forces were not to construct any new or
strengthen any old defenses. Since the truce was verbally ar-
ranged and there was no written agreement, there was a good
opportunity for a difference of interpretation and understanding.
The difference soon developed. Renshaw understood the truce
to mean that there would be absolutely no change in the military
status of the city, either by addition to the garrison and its
7Renshaw to Farragut, October 8, 1862, in ibid., 256.113
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 51, July 1947 - April, 1948, periodical, 1948; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101119/m1/155/: accessed May 6, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.