The first in a series of virtual caches bringing lesser known battle sites to our attention. I plan on putting old forts, civil war sites, western battle sites, revolutionary war sites, etc., in this series of caches. Anyone that wishes to add one simply go for it. I thought I'd include a numbering system but hey, why ask for trouble. Anyone is welcome to add a site with the heading "Military History Series - (put site name here)" and point out sites where Americans fought. Here and abroad.
This site is where Lt. Richard (Dick) Dowling and a single company of Confederate artillerymen stood their ground and defeated a Federal naval force that attempted to land troops here to begin the invasion of Texas. Though ordered to spike their cannons and abandon their post by their commanders, Dowling and the mostly Irish cannoneers forced the surrender of the entire Federal force, who were quite surprised to find they had given up to such a small group of determined men. Holding their fire till the ships carrying the Federal troops were well within range the company called the "Davis Guards" fired over 137 shells into the invaders causing a great number of casualties and preventing the devastating Union onslaught that befell other Southern states during the Civil War, enabling the Texas economy to recover more quickly.
This park is quite small but very pretty. There are the old gun emplacements and some newer bunkers for ammo built when new gun emplacements were built for the old coastal artillery nearby. There is a large monument to Lt. Dowling and his men that tells the story of the battle. The Pavilion has plaques that show maps and narrate the story of the battle and the effects. There is a restroom, a boat slip, and lots of parking. You are allowed to camp overnight in this park. There is a $2.00 per person fee for all persons over 13 years of age.
To log the find, please go to the coordinates given, near the monument, and go to the closest historical marker put there by the State of Texas. This particular marker has a particular subject. That subject was named after a certain person, place, or thing. Detail the subject of the historical marker and what the subject was named for. Send me an e-mail with the information to confirm your find.