Battle of Galveston, January 1st, 1863 #247065

As they stepped on board, the yellow stripe on my trousers caught their eyes, and noting the surprise depicted on their countenances, I took in the situation, and told them they were prisoners, giving them an account of the capture of the City three days before. Fortunately for me, before they discovered that 1 was without support, Captain John Payne of the Pilots came alongside from the City looking for a United States flag, to be used in decoying the Cambria into the harbor. Climbing on deck, he at once recognized Smith, exchanged greetings with him and calling me aside warned me as to Smith's dos perate character, and suggested that we had best get the men ashore at once, stating also that he had no arms. I slipped my revolver to him, retaining my cutlass, and we ordered them into their yawl, and the marines rowed us along side the Harriet Lane. I remained on deck with the pris oners, and Payne went below to report; Smith was at once taken in charge, removed to jail, Court Marshalled for desertion, and shot three days later.