The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-09-30
|IIrTLE OF SABINE PASS.
I.los Reagan Addresses a Letter to
Hon. Pat Walsh
,sour IRISH AMERICANS IN TEXAS.
n. Account Of the Battle of Sabine
psss-Grnnd Victory Won by
Forty-two Young Irish Lads.


Aus,iu. Texas, September 29.-Hon. Pat.
,rk walsh Of Georgia gives publicly the
so,loving letter from Judge Reagan:
patrick Walsh, Esq, Augusta. Ga.
Austin, Texas, September 16--Dear Sir
a. nv return to Austin. after an absence
= 4 week or two, l found your letter
= the 18th instant, in which you request
= me something about the Irish and Irish
Americans in Texas.
The Irishmen have taken their full share
"a the defense Of the Republic and State
without attempting any detailed account
a what the Irish have done in the State
: call your attention to the defense OF Sa.
bIpe Pass on September s, 1868. against
feet OF Federal gunboats and trans
ports.
On the morning of September 8, 1858, a
Federal feet Of twenty-five vessels--gun-
boats, men-of-war and transports--com-
menced crossing the bar OF Sabine Pass.
which port at that time was garrisoned
With only three companies--two of artil-
lery and one of cavalry--which were re-
duced in numbers by details and sickness
TO less than hundred persons. Two of
these companies were ordered ON board
the Confederate gunboat Uncle Ben as
Mtillerymen and sharpshooters. but could
40 nothing in repelling the Federal ad-
vance unless it passed the fort, about three
miles above the bar, in crippled condi-
ZION. On this fort were mounted six guns,
oil OF short range and of inferior quality,
mo- ~ tho 40
Ing at that time forty-two men.
commanded by Lieutenant Il. w. Bowling
assisted by Lieutenant Smith of the en-
gineer corps, all forty four of whom were
Irishmen, according to all accounts | have
ever seen. Mr.. Davis in the Rise and
Fall OF the Confederate Government. /"
pages 2SS and 1913, gives their names, most
Of which would be recognized at once as
IRISH. In the afternoon regular fire on
tie fort was begun by the Sachem, Ar.
SOFA, Clifton and two other Federal gun
bats. which rapidly moved up the char
ne, keeping up q continual fire while so
6ing. Lieutenant Bowling and his men
ispt out of sight and waited patiently un.
II the foremost vessel came within range
their gums, when they replied SO accur-
pely and rapidly that in about ninety min
utes, notwithstanding the little garrison
vas during that time under most ter
hble bombardment of grape, canister and
she'll, the Sachem and Clifton had both
been disabled and the white flag OF sur
render was run up to their mastheads,
rhile the Arizona, In crippled condition,
hcked about and escaped. The rest of the
Expedition also fled from the vicinity and
made no other attempt to pass the place
during the war.
This expedition at the time was believed
y consist OF fifteen thousand men. COM
banded by major general and three
kigadier generals The lowest estimate
shich l have ever seen was 5000 men, and
bat estimate was made by a Federal Of
her who participated in the engagement.
Besides this repulse of the entire expedi-
Ton, there fell into the hands of the de-
ienders OF the fort the two gunboats,
hehem and Clifton, eighteen heavy guns
md $50 prisoners. Fifty OF the Federals
we're killed and wounded and not single
ne of the Davis Guards was hurt.
The Federal officer mentioned above.
/ Who was one Of the captured, says: '"rhc
! commander OF the fort was modest. re-
firing, boyish- looking Irish lad, 10 years
dage. l could not refrain from laughing
70 his face when introduced to me MS
lieutenant Dick Bowling. who is In com
hand of the fort
"'And you are the Shaughran who die
i " this mischief? How many men and
guns did you have?'"
1--WE had four S2-pounders and two "a.
> tunders and forty two men, was his re-
4 Wy, made with blush.
"'And do you realize what you hav.
Done, sir? Well, sir you and your forty
Two men, in your miseiable little mud for
y y the PUSHES have captured two Yankee
Sunboats, carrying fourteen guns, goot
NUMBER of prisoners, many stands OF SINAI
Arms and plenty OF good ammunition, ans
VI that you have done with six popgun
4 md two smart Quakers. And that i
ect the worst of ycun boyish trick. Yol
nave sent three Yankee gunbonts, GOO
uoops and general out to sea In III
eafk. You ought to be ashamed OF your
ei. SIR"
MT. Davis says in Rise and Fall of tn
y Vufederate Government" THE inuuir
eay naturally arise how this small mum
"a OF men could take charge of so larg
\ body OF prisoners? This required that I
Meir yalor they should add strategen
lew men were placed on a parapet a
!. Nntinels and the rest were marched
guard TO receive the prisoners and thei
y Ems. Thus was concealed the fact tina
Ee Tort was empty" Soon after the clos
\ the battle the troops on Uncle Ben an
wner reinfofcements arrived and relieve
Ne little garrison from its embarrass
nent 1t is proper to add that 1t has bee
ssted that this mere handful OF men ha
sNsn gwen the choice oil nght or reret
sad ehoSo the former, and won the da
Sanst apparently overwhelming odds
!. Davis well says that this victory wa
Y Ilieyed under circumstances so remark
\ Gus"
ueneral Thomas ] Rusk who was sec
wary OF war Of the Republic OF Texas dul
y ~ the revolution Of 1926, and was SUI
q s9uentiy the first chief justice Of The R'
Y suoic, and the commanding general OF Il
!, sepublic at one time and participated
lumber OF battles during the years
" republic. and was president OF u
n ~ashtutional convention of Texas in 1874
~ was three times elected TO the Unite
stes senate, was the son of Irish parent
ny hvsd near Greenyille. S. G..
My time is so occupied that | can n
Saurther into details. In relation to n
w. estors. about whom you make inquir
great grandfather was an Irishma
was member Of the Pennsylvania III
ng the revolution and was dangerous
vsnaed at the battle of Brandywine al
y .Nlpated In other battles during III
z he lived to good old age and die
NJ