Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 29.djvu/334

 818 Southern Historical Society Papers.

crippling the gunboats, the dispersion of the transports and prevent- ing the invasion of Texas, constitutes in the opinion of Congress one of the most heroic and brilliant achievements in the history of this war, and entitles the Davis Guards to the gratitude and admira- tion of their country.

"That the President be requested to communicate the foregoing resolutions to Captain Odium, Lieutenant Dowling and the men under his command.

"Approved February 8, 1864."

All the men composing the " Davis Guards" were from Ireland except two, who were born in the United States, and one German. These Irishmen did a brave part by their country of adoption, and well deserve the tribute paid them by the Confederate citizens eulo- gizing their courageous patriotism. The rations of the " Davis Guards" consisted of what the good citizens of the vicinity gave them. Mrs. Kate Dorman, a most patriotic Southern woman and a native of Georgia, herself cooked beef and sent to them, along with the message, "they must not fight like men, but fight like devils." During the time of the battle she watched its progress through a field glass, while her friend, Mrs. Sarah Vasburg, who was a pray- ing woman, stood beside her with uplifted hand, asking God to direct the shots.

Mr. Sam Watson, of Beaumont, was placed as first engineer on the captured gunboat Sachem, which boat kept its name when in possession of the Confederates. Mrs. Margaret Watson made the first Confederate flag which was put upon her.

The attacking Federals, under the command of Captain Frederick Crocker, had nineteen well equipped gunboats, three steamships and three sloops of war. It is presumed the steamships and sloops were transports, as they took no part in the engagement. What the Fed- eral design was in its attack at Sabine Pass is mere conjecture, as the departments at Washington have never revealed it, but there is reason to believe that their intention was to invade Texas, Arkansas and North Louisiana. A plan had been laid by General Banks some- what to this effect, and judging from the number of troops, 15,000, it is supposed this was the time the scheme was to be accomplished.

When we remember that only forty-two brave men foiled him, too much honor cannot be paid to their memory, and we, the United Daughters of the Confederacy of Beaumont, have named our chapter