A Guide to the Thomas Babb Account of the Battle of Galveston Bay

Biographical Note

Thomas D. Babb served as Acting Master aboard the Union ship Owasco during the Battle of Galveston Bay. He describes the attack, counterattack, and surrender of the Union ship Harriet Lane and the burning of another Union vessel, the Westfield, as well as other details of the engagement. Ultimately the Confederate ships prevailed, breaking the Union blockade of Galveston Bay and leaving the Port of Galveston in Confederate hands for the remainder of the Civil War.

Scope and Contents

Handwritten eyewitness account by Thomas Babb of the Battle of Galveston Bay, offered as testimony in the case of Lieutenant Commander Law.

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Thomas Babb Account of the Battle of Galveston Bay, 1863, Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin.

Detailed Description of the Collection