Charles Albertson, Danish Immigrant to Galveston and a Witness to Juneteenth
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| Graphic from https://www.galvestonhistory.org/ |
Charles Albertson was born on September 18, 1836, in Helsingør, Frederiksborg, Denmark. Raised in a maritime community, Albertson grew up surrounded by the sea, a defining aspect of his early life. At the age of 20, seeking adventure and opportunity, Charles "jumped ship" in Galveston Bay, Texas, an act that would forever change the course of his life.
In the years following his arrival in Galveston, Charles
found himself caught in the tides of history. By 1862, he joined the
Confederate forces during the Civil War, serving in Cook's Heavy Artillery and
later aboard the Confederate Navy's "Bayou City." He participated in
notable events such as the Battle of Galveston Bay, a pivotal Confederate
victory that showcased his maritime expertise.
However, it was an event two years later, on June 19, 1865,
that would become a defining moment in Galveston's history—and the nation's. On
that day, Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston to announce the end
of slavery in Texas, marking what we now celebrate as Juneteenth. For
Charles, living in Galveston at the time, the proclamation was a seismic
cultural and societal shift.
Juneteenth symbolized the liberation of over 250,000
enslaved people in Texas, more than two years after President Lincoln's
Emancipation Proclamation. Albertson, a recent immigrant and Confederate
veteran, witnessed the transformative event and the jubilation and challenges
it brought to the region. Juneteenth became a cornerstone of African American
freedom and resilience, with annual celebrations in Galveston that grew into a
nationwide commemoration.
In the aftermath of the war, Charles embraced a quieter
life. On February 15, 1866, he married Mary Catherine Clair in a Roman Catholic
ceremony in Galveston. Together, they built a family, contributing to the
community he had adopted as his home.
Charles Albertson’s life, spanning the tumultuous years of the Civil War and Reconstruction, reflects the complexities of identity and change.
His journey from Denmark to Galveston intertwined with the unfolding of one of
America's most significant milestones: Juneteenth. While his own story is
steeped in the maritime and military heritage of his era, the broader narrative
of emancipation and justice remains a defining feature of the world he
inhabited.
Today, as we celebrate Juneteenth, we honor the resilience
of those who gained their freedom in Galveston and the generations that
followed. Charles Albertson’s witness to this historic moment underscores how
intertwined individual lives can become with pivotal chapters in history.
Written by his 2nd. Great-grandson J. Paul Hawthorne, using ChatGPT on June 16, 2025.
More info on Juneteenth: https://www.galvestonhistory.org/news/juneteenth-and-general-order-no-3
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