My buddy Jacob and I had just spent a week boating down the Sabine River, from Toledo Bend to the Gulf of Mexico, and we were tired and grimy and waiting for Jacob’s father Henry to come pick us up. We had arranged to meet him at the Sabine Pass Battleground State Historic Park in Sabine Pass, Texas. The memorial site was grassy and desolate, and we were the only people there. A cool breeze was blowing in from the ocean. Jacob went off to find a public restroom, and I was sitting at a picnic table, minding my own business, when a fellow in a convertible coupe began to circle through the parking lot.
The guy who hopped out of the car was fortyish and not wearing a shirt. In fact, he was not wearing much of anything — only shorts, sandals, and wrap-around sunglasses. A ponytail. A bronze tan. I was careful to avoid eye contact, but it didn’t deter him. He walked right over and started asking questions about the battle of Sabine Pass.
I answered, curtly, that a small band of Confederate soldiers had fought off a larger fleet of invading Union ships at this spot, which was now a state historic site.
“Those damn Yankees,” he said. “I say that in jest because I’m from the Northeast. So this was like a crucial port for the South during the war?”
“I have no idea,” I replied. “We just got here. But if you’ll walk around, there’s bound to be some reading material somewhere. At least a marker or something.”
He didn’t take the hint. “So where were you coming from?” he asked.
When I told him about our trip down the Sabine, he announced that he had once ridden a jet ski 180 miles along the Atlantic coast. Now his watercraft was in storage in his garage back home, needing repairs. “You know what they say,” he said. “You either have a new jet ski or you don’t have a jet ski.” He was from New Jersey, and he had taken off work for a few weeks to see the Gulf Coast between New Orleans and Brownsville. As for rivers, he added, “I’d love to explore the Hudson, because it’s so beautiful.”
“On a jet ski?” I asked.
“Oh yeah.”
Then he wanted to know what year the battle of Sabine Pass had been fought. I told him I really, truly had no idea.
“I’ll find out,” he said.
As he walked away, I thought about Jeff back up the river. Then I thought about the Tidwells and the rest of the people I had met along the Sabine. It hadn’t mattered that I was a stranger. They had invited me into their homes, fed me and treated me like one of their own. I realized that I wasn’t like these river people at all. I wasn’t as kind.
Jacob showed up with chips and sandwiches. We were eating at the picnic table when a voice shouted: “1863!”
I turned around. It was the shirtless guy. “What?” I asked him.
“1863,” he said. “That’s the year of the battle.”
“Oh, OK,” I replied.
He stood there beside our picnic table.
“Pringles, huh?” he said.
“Yep.”
“Nice.”
When we didn’t say anything more to the man he walked over to the piers, then circled back to his convertible coupe and sped off to his next destination. One hopes he found a place where the people were friendlier.
Ruthlessly cut from an early draft of Running the River: Secrets of the Sabine, by Wes Ferguson and Jacob Croft Botter.
1,299 responses to “An intrusion at the Battle of Sabine Pass”
Nice post. I learn something new and challenging on blogs I stumbleupon on a daily basis. It’s always exciting to read through articles from other authors and use something from other web sites.
Good day! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site before but after browsing through a few of the articles I realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m definitely pleased I discovered it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back regularly!
Hi, Neat post. There is a problem along with your website in web explorer, would check this? IE nonetheless is the market leader and a large portion of people will pass over your fantastic writing because of this problem.
I’d also like to say that most individuals that find themselves devoid of health insurance are normally students, self-employed and those that are not working. More than half of the uninsured are under the age of 35. They do not feel they are looking for health insurance simply because they’re young along with healthy. Their particular income is frequently spent on houses, food, and entertainment. Some people that do work either full or not professional are not offered insurance by means of their work so they get along without due to rising expense of health insurance in the United States. Thanks for the strategies you share through this web site.
I have noticed that online degree is getting preferred because accomplishing your degree online has developed into popular alternative for many people. Quite a few people have not had a chance to attend a normal college or university nevertheless seek the elevated earning potential and career advancement that a Bachelor’s Degree gives. Still other individuals might have a diploma in one discipline but would choose to pursue something they now develop an interest in.
Thanks for your post right here. One thing I would really like to say is that often most professional career fields consider the Bachelor Degree as the entry level standard for an online course. Although Associate Degrees are a great way to get started, completing a person’s Bachelors presents you with many doorways to various professions, there are numerous internet Bachelor Course Programs available by institutions like The University of Phoenix, Intercontinental University Online and Kaplan. Another issue is that many brick and mortar institutions present Online editions of their college diplomas but often for a extensively higher price than the organizations that specialize in online qualification programs.
Can I simply just say what a comfort to find somebody who really knows what they’re discussing on the internet. You definitely realize how to bring an issue to light and make it important. A lot more people really need to read this and understand this side of the story. I can’t believe you’re not more popular because you most certainly have the gift.
That is a great tip especially to those new to the blogosphere. Short but very precise info… Many thanks for sharing this one. A must read post.
Greetings! Very helpful advice in this particular article! It’s the little changes which will make the biggest changes. Many thanks for sharing!
Hello there, I found your web site via Google at the same time as searching for a similar matter, your site got here up, it seems to be good. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
Thanks for your beneficial post. Over time, I have come to understand that the symptoms of mesothelioma are caused by the actual build up of fluid relating to the lining of your lung and the breasts cavity. The illness may start in the chest place and multiply to other parts of the body. Other symptoms of pleural mesothelioma cancer include fat loss, severe deep breathing trouble, temperature, difficulty taking in food, and swelling of the face and neck areas. It should be noted that some people existing with the disease never experience any serious symptoms at all.
Howdy! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me of my previous roommate! He constantly kept preaching about this. I am going to forward this post to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read. I appreciate you for sharing!
Good day! I could have sworn I’ve visited your blog before but after looking at a few of the articles I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m definitely pleased I discovered it and I’ll be book-marking it and checking back regularly!
After looking into a number of the articles on your web site, I honestly like your way of blogging. I added it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back soon. Please visit my web site too and let me know how you feel.
This is a good tip especially to those new to the blogosphere. Short but very precise info… Appreciate your sharing this one. A must read post!
I know of the fact that these days, more and more people are attracted to digital cameras and the industry of picture taking. However, like a photographer, you will need to first shell out so much time deciding the exact model of dslr camera to buy plus moving via store to store just so you might buy the most economical camera of the brand you have decided to pick. But it doesn’t end there. You also have to consider whether you can purchase a digital dslr camera extended warranty. Thanks for the good tips I acquired from your website.
whoah this blog is excellent i love reading your articles. Keep up the great work! You know, many people are searching around for this info, you could help them greatly.
I was suggested this website by means of my cousin. I’m not positive whether or not this post is written by way of him as no one else realize such specific about my difficulty. You are amazing! Thank you!
Thanks for your tips on this blog. 1 thing I would wish to say is purchasing electronic products items on the Internet is not something new. In truth, in the past ten years alone, the marketplace for online electronic products has grown considerably. Today, you could find practically any specific electronic tool and product on the Internet, including cameras in addition to camcorders to computer pieces and games consoles.
I was very pleased to discover this web site. I want to to thank you for your time for this particularly fantastic read!! I definitely appreciated every little bit of it and i also have you book marked to check out new stuff in your web site.
Eddy
Another issue is really that video gaming has become one of the all-time most important forms of entertainment for people of all ages. Kids play video games, and adults do, too. The actual XBox 360 has become the favorite gaming systems for folks who love to have a lot of games available to them, and also who like to play live with people all over the world. Thanks for sharing your notions.
Thanks for the ideas you are sharing on this weblog. Another thing I’d prefer to say is that often getting hold of duplicates of your credit score in order to scrutinize accuracy of each detail will be the first motion you have to execute in credit score improvement. You are looking to clean up your credit profile from harmful details flaws that wreck your credit score.
You really make it appear really easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be really one thing which I believe I’d never understand. It kind of feels too complicated and extremely broad for me. I am having a look forward for your next publish, I will try to get the hang of it!
A person necessarily help to make significantly posts I might state. That is the very first time I frequented your web page and up to now? I amazed with the analysis you made to create this actual submit incredible. Great job!
ragnarok mobile private server
Greetings from Idaho! I’m bored to tears at work so I decided to browse your website on my iphone during lunch break. I really like the info you present here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m surprised at how fast your blog loaded on my phone .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyways, great site!
best ragnarok private server
Pornstar
Sex
Buy Drugs
Buy Drugs
Buy Drugs
Porn
Porn site
Porn
Scam
Scam
Buy Drugs
Viagra
Buy Drugs
Buy Drugs
Porn site
Buy Drugs
Sex
Sex
Porn
Scam
Porn
Porn