First Battle of Sabine Pass

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First Battle of Sabine Pass
Began:

September 24, 1862

Ended:

September 25, 1862

Location:

Jefferson County, Texas

Theater:

Trans-Mississippi Theater

Campaign:

Operations to Blockade the Texas Coast

Outcome:

Union victory

33 star flag.png
Combatants
Conf Navy Jack.png

Three U.S. Navy ships

Fort Sabine garrison

Commanders

Frederick Crocker
Acting Master, USN

J.S. Irvine
Major, CSA

Strength

60 est.

Casualties

Unknown

Unknown

  

On September 23, 1862, the Union Steamer Kensington, Schooner Rachel Seaman, and Mortar Schooner Henry James appeared off the bar at Sabine Pass. The next morning, the two schooners crossed the bar, took position, and began firing on the Confederate shore battery. The shots from both land and shore fell far short of the targets. The ships then moved nearer until their projectiles began to fall amongst the Confederate guns. The Confederate cannons, however, still could not hit the ships. After dark, the Confederates evacuated, taking as much property as possible with them and spiking the four guns left behind. On the morning of the 25th, the schooners moved up to the battery and destroyed it while Acting Master Frederick Crocker, commander of the expedition, received the surrender of the town. Union control of Sabine Pass made later incursions into the interior possible. (NPS summary)