Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1862-12-24
gil Sorts of 6paa 8taoing.

Interesting Statement of Texas Refuges
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CAPTURE OF SABINE PASS By
THE UNITED STATES STEAMER KESsuaroN-THE con-
DITIoN OF AFFAIRS IN TEXAS, ETC.
SABINE Pass, Jefferson county, Texas, is
one Of the most important points in the South.
1t lies in the southeastern corner of the State,
and, in conjunction with the lake OF the same
name-twenty miles long and eight miles
wide--is the outlet of two of the largest and
most important rivers of the State, the Nat
chez and Sabine. The passage of the this
lake into the Gulf OF Mexico is called Sabine
Pass.
The Sabine, Natchez and Angeline rivers,
which connect with the Gull through this
lake and pass, are nayigable by fatboats at a
l.igh stage of their waters for hundreds OF
miles into the mterrior-the Sabine for eight
hundred miles and the Natchez and Augeline
for FIVE hundred. It's advantages as an out
let from. the interior over Galveston can be
seen at glance. Besides its lake and the
rivers run close along the western boundary
of Louisiana.
The pass has been, since the commence
ment of the rebellion, and more especially
since the rigid enforcement of the blockade
at large parts of entry, used by the rebels for
running in contraband goods and amunitions
of war to large extent, much larger than is
known to be public. Over two hundred tons
of powder alone have been smuggled in here,
and small arms, guns and ammunition in large
quantities.
Mr. Kirkpatrick, the narrator, had been en-
pleyed in Texas as conductor and builder of
the Eastern Texas Railroad, which was just
commenced when the rebellion broke out.
This road was being built by the State gov
ernment. When the rebellion came on they
refused to pay him, except npon their own
terms He received their obligations, which
he afterwards converted into merchandise,
with which he loaded a schooner. He got a
pass from the military authorizes which was
afterwards revoked by the Provost Marshal.
The goods were disposed of at a sacrifice, and
the rebels used them. Being determined to
get away from the rebels at all hazards, he
was not to be foiIed by the failure of his first
attempt so he loaded the schooner with cot
ton, gave the required papers when he was
allowed to depart, not, however, until after
he was boarded by the troops at the fort.
He was a short time after boarded by the
Kensington, to whom he voluntarily surren-
dered his schooner and cargo. He them i'm
parted all the information he possessed to the
commander Of the Kensigton in reference to
things at the pass and also to the command
ers at the station, including Commodore Far
ragut.
An expedition was speedily organized, on
his information, ior the capture and destruc-
tioh of this rebel rendezvous, Mr. X. and his
sailing master acting as pilots. This expedi-
ton, reaching the pass October l3, was sig
nally successful. The guns-four in number,
of larger calibcr-were dismounted, and the
buildings around the fort totally destroyed
Alter some i've or SIX days small rebel
steamboat was captured in the Calcasieu river,
which flows through another important pass
called the Dan" With this boat another
was fitted out, and proceeded up
the lake about nine miles above the pass to a
large railroad bridge-the only land connec-
ton with the town-guarded by some three
hundred infantry and cavalry As the boats
crews -neared the bridge the rebels made
charge, but were met and repuIsed by dis
charge of canister and sIlrapnel from the how
itzers, and they retreated to the prairie or tall
grass. The bridge was then completely de-
stroyed, preventing all intercourse with the
town by land. The next morning Captain
went to Broadway, about three miles,
driving in their pickets to the cavalry bar
racks He turned the howitzer upon them,
and one round drove the rebels in every di-I