Sabine Pass in Jefferson County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Site of Fort Griffin
(1863-1865)
Photographed by Brian Anderson, June 10, 2018
1. Site of Fort Griffin Marker
Renowned for brilliant Civil War victory, Sept. 8, 1863. Confederates in this fort repulsed a fleet seeking to land thousands of Federal soldiers.
Lt. Richard W. Dowling (1838-1867), in civilian life a Houston businessman, commanded fort during enemy assault. His men, mostly Irishmen from Galveston and Houston, had been comrades in arms since Feb. 1861.
Sabine Pass, where Dowling's men (Co. F, Texas Heavy Artillery) were assigned in 1863, was a center for the blockade-running whereby Confederacy exported cotton and obtained in exchange vital goods such as medicines and arms. Here Co. F built Fort Griffin, named in honor of Lt. Col. W. H. Griffin, Confederate commander at Sabine City. Fort was designed by Col. Valery Sulakowski, formerly of the Austrian Army.
Fort Griffin was an earthwork strengthened with railroad iron and ship's timbers. It was unfinished when Confederates learned of approach of 22 ships.
Dowling kept watch, but ordered no response to the early shelling by the Federals. When first ships entered range of Fort Griffin's guns, however, the battle began. Dowling himself served as one of the gunners. The fort sent 137 shells toward the targets. Dowling monument (near here) tells of the victory.
Erected 1969 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 10525.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is September 8, 1863.
Location.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Texas’ Golden Triangle. It is also in the American South, on the Gulf Coast, and in the Piney Woods. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Richard Dowling (a few steps from this marker); Union Casualties at the Battle of Sabine Pass (a few steps from this marker); Capture of the USS Morning Light and USS Velocity (within shouting distance of this marker); Commodore Leon Smith (within shouting distance of this marker); World War II Coastal Defenses at Sabine Pass (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fort Manhassett (about 500 feet away); Spanish-American War Fortifications (about 500 feet away); United States Forces at the Battle of Sabine Pass (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sabine Pass.
Also see . . . Fort Griffin - The Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) (Submitted on June 15, 2018, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio.)
Photographed by Brian Anderson, June 10, 2018
2. Site of Fort Griffin Marker
Markers visible in this photo from left to right are: Union Casualties at the Battle of Sabine Pass, Site of Fort Griffin, Commodore Leon Smith, and Richard Dowling.
Photographed by Brian Anderson, March 5, 2016
3. Fort Griffin 1:20 Scale Model
Photographed by Brian Anderson, March 5, 2016
4. Interpretive Panel for the Fort Griffin Scale Model
Credits. This page was last revised on November 25, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 14, 2018, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. This page has been viewed 609 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 15, 2018, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
