It's a great story. Dowling was a marevlous self promoter and this story got 'round all of the South, when it happened ... not to take away from his genuine heroics!

Dowling was a troublesome character to his commanders. He and his rogues (dock workers and "hard living fellows" from Irish Channel in old New Orleans and the docks of Galveston TX) were actually sent to spike the cannon at Sabine pass, because the Confederate command was aware of the impending Yankee invasion - they didn;t want to loos some valuable artillery that could be used against them. Dowling had just earned the ire of his superiors for refusing orders in a previous campaign (if my memory serves me correctly, Dowling decided the orders were foolish, so he refused to follow them). So the assigment to Sabine pass was a punishment. Again - he refused orders. Rather then spike the cannon and return to his unit - Dowling and his men fortified the fort, practiced using the cannon and waited for the yankees. They surprised the Yankee ships sent to retrieve the cannon - disabling one and forcing the other to surrendur. In fact, the whole Yankee invasion was called off, as a result of the action (presumably Gen Franklin presumed erroneouly that the Rebel forces had well defended the coastline).

Anyway - great story, 40 men capturing 400 - and stopping an invasion (for the moment) of 5000!

I've written to Danny for the words to his song. I'll post 'em here when I get them, in case there are others with an interest.

Thanks to all for their input.