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WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1863
335
The redemption of Galveston and Sabine opened a new era in the war. The intelligence electrified the country as it flashed upon an astonished people. Charleston, full of glorious emula- tion, gave her little iron-clads the baptism of blood, and on the broad Mississippi, still our own, heroes have proved themselves worthy the fame of their brothers of Galveston and Sabine. Nor was this all. The Texian soldier, proud boast of his State, felt within his heart a thrill of joy, such as no victory that his arm had won could give. Texas was once more his glory and his pride. Every man who raised his arm to strike the foe, was nerved with double vigor, and stimulated to nobler deeds. The fire in the Texian heart is enkindled at Magruder's call, and they will fol- low him to victory. He has made more heroes in a day than red tape Generals have unmade in a year. The position of Texas in this war to-day is what it was when her people entered upon it: "Fight it out" is her motto. Her harvest of gallant sons has been gathered and the gleaners are now in the fields. Yet she stands erect, and swerves not from the government of her choice. The sixty-seven thousand have gone, and yet her devotion is stronger than her fears. She may have done more than duty required at her hands. Her sons at home may not be capable to her complete defence, should the foe come in overwhelming numbers, but the glory of her name that crowns every battle field where her heroes have fought, will be their terror and to us the strength of thousands. The proud achievements of troops of Texas are above all praise. History furnishes us not nobler examples of heroism and con- stancy. I know of no battle where they have engaged that they have not been chosen to bring on the fight. What battery has stood the force of their resistless charge? What retreat have they failed to cover? The flower of the foe has been cut down by their determined valor.. Patient and enduring on the toilsome march, noiseless and wary on the dangerous scout, swift and certain in the surprise, and terrible as the tempest blast in the charge, they have proven themselves worthy the name of soldiers of liberty. If the world has ever known their superiors in valor, history gives not the examples. The gallant dead! How fell they? Heroes! thousands of whom no monuments, save the memory of their everlasting valor. At the cannon's mouth where the foe stood thickest, in the deadliest charge, with the forlorn hope, on the perilous scout, or at the first
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