Civil War

This Week in the Civil War

00000174-b11b-ddc3-a1fc-bfdbb1a20000The Schreiner University Department of History is honoring the sesquicentennial of the American Civil War with a series of short vignettes focusing on events from 1861 through 1865. The Civil War was the most destructive conflict in American history, but it was also one of our most defining moments as a people and as a nation. Let us know what you think about "This Week in the Civil War." E-mail your comments to Dr. John Huddleston at jhuddles@schreiner.edu.Airs: Weekdays at 5:19 a.m., 8:19 a.m., 4:19 p.m. on KTXI and 4:49 a.m., 9:29 p.m. on KSTX.

This Week in the Civil War - 653

Texas Public Radio | By Texas Public Radio

Published September 9, 2013 at 1:51 PM CDT

Union General Nathaniel Banks intended to invade Texas at Sabine Pass on the Texas-Louisiana border; from there Federal troops could control East Texas. On Tuesday, September 8 four Union gunships and transports carrying 5000 troops moved into Sabine Pass; opposing the Union fleet was a poorly constructed, Confederate earthwork manned by a handful of Confederate troops under Lieutenant Dick Dowling.

The Union gunboats opened fire, and the Confederates responded, striking and grounding two gunboats and forcing the surrender of 200 prisoners.

The Union fleet summarily withdrew and returned to New Orleans. Jefferson Davis declared Dowlings’ victory to be “more remarkable than…Thermopylae” and ordered a special gold medallion to be crafted to celebrate what in reality was a minor victory which legend over time enhanced into a great military achievement.