During the Civil War, Matagorda and Indianola were two of eight Texas ports that blockade runners used for taking out tons of cotton while delivering to the Confederacy guns, munitions, clothing and other vital goods. To protect these vital Confederate links to the outside world, Fort Esperanza was built in late December 1861 to guard the entry to Matagorda Bay. On October 25, 1862, less than a month after capturing Galveston, the Union forces seized Indianola. In early November the Union fleet withdrew from Matagorda Bay, and since they had no ground forces to leave behind to secure their gains, the Eighth Texas Infantry battalion reoccupied Indianola and Fort Esperanza. Fred Vogg was a member of this battalion, having joined Company A in 1862. However, on the night of November 29, 1863 another battle ensued and the Confederates, outnumbered and outflanked, again evacuated the fort and it was occupied by the Union forces. In the spring of 1864 the Union troops were withdrawn from Matagorda Bay to participate in the proposed invasion of Texas from northeast Louisiana. After the last of the federals left Matagorda Island on June 15, 1864 Fort Esperanza was reoccupied by the Confederates and held until the end of the war.
Before and after the Civil War, the Vogg family found the land on the Peninsula quite productive and raised many varieties of crops and garden vegetables. It was also a good range for sheep and cattle. Fresh water could be found on the Gulf side and the area was considered healthy. By the time of the 1870 Federal Census of Matagorda County, John Frederick Vogg is listed as a 46 year old farmer with real estate valued at $500 and personal property valued at $680. The family lived on the Peninsula until the hurricane of 1875.
On 16 September, 1875 the family boarded their sloop to leave for the mainland for safety from the storm. Suddenly, the sloop was caught in a wave and flipped on its side, leaving the mast connected to the sloop and touching the bank. Hannah, holding her sister Mary Ann's hand, started walking across the mast when the sloop uprighted itself and threw Mary Ann into the water. Hannah grabbed the mast and held on. The family searched but could not find Mary Ann and was finally forced to seek shelter. John and Mary continued to search for her after the storm. They finally met some people who had found the body of a little girl and buried her. The dress Mary Ann had on fitted the description the description the people gave, so the family accepted that they had lost Mary Ann. Shortly after this time, the family left the peninsula and moved to the mainland where they purchased a section of land east of Matagorda and lived for the remainder of their lives.
John Frederick Vogg died from cancer on 20 July 1901 and is buried in the old cemetery in Matagorda. His wife, Mary Hagerty Vogg followed him in death on 6 January 1908 and is also buried in the old cemetery.
During the Civil War, Matagorda and Indianola were two of eight Texas ports that blockade runners used for taking out tons of cotton while delivering to the Confederacy guns, munitions, clothing and other vital goods. To protect these vital Confederate links to the outside world, Fort Esperanza was built in late December 1861 to guard the entry to Matagorda Bay. On October 25, 1862, less than a month after capturing Galveston, the Union forces seized Indianola. In early November the Union fleet withdrew from Matagorda Bay, and since they had no ground forces to leave behind to secure their gains, the Eighth Texas Infantry battalion reoccupied Indianola and Fort Esperanza. Fred Vogg was a member of this battalion, having joined Company A in 1862. However, on the night of November 29, 1863 another battle ensued and the Confederates, outnumbered and outflanked, again evacuated the fort and it was occupied by the Union forces. In the spring of 1864 the Union troops were withdrawn from Matagorda Bay to participate in the proposed invasion of Texas from northeast Louisiana. After the last of the federals left Matagorda Island on June 15, 1864 Fort Esperanza was reoccupied by the Confederates and held until the end of the war.
Before and after the Civil War, the Vogg family found the land on the Peninsula quite productive and raised many varieties of crops and garden vegetables. It was also a good range for sheep and cattle. Fresh water could be found on the Gulf side and the area was considered healthy. By the time of the 1870 Federal Census of Matagorda County, John Frederick Vogg is listed as a 46 year old farmer with real estate valued at $500 and personal property valued at $680. The family lived on the Peninsula until the hurricane of 1875.
On 16 September, 1875 the family boarded their sloop to leave for the mainland for safety from the storm. Suddenly, the sloop was caught in a wave and flipped on its side, leaving the mast connected to the sloop and touching the bank. Hannah, holding her sister Mary Ann's hand, started walking across the mast when the sloop uprighted itself and threw Mary Ann into the water. Hannah grabbed the mast and held on. The family searched but could not find Mary Ann and was finally forced to seek shelter. John and Mary continued to search for her after the storm. They finally met some people who had found the body of a little girl and buried her. The dress Mary Ann had on fitted the description the description the people gave, so the family accepted that they had lost Mary Ann. Shortly after this time, the family left the peninsula and moved to the mainland where they purchased a section of land east of Matagorda and lived for the remainder of their lives.
John Frederick Vogg died from cancer on 20 July 1901 and is buried in the old cemetery in Matagorda. His wife, Mary Hagerty Vogg followed him in death on 6 January 1908 and is also buried in the old cemetery.
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