Civil War Battles in Texas
5 Major Civil War Battles in the Lone Star State.
The Battle of Galveston
- Confederate commander General John B. Magruder made capturing Galveston his top priority.
- In 1863, 4 Confederate gunboats came down the bay, heading to Galveston.
- The Union forces in Galveston were three groups of the "42nd Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment" under the command of Colonel Isaac S. Burrell.
- The Confederates captured or killed all except for the regiments adjutant (officer who is an assistant to a senior officer).
- The Confederates captured the "Harriet Lane", two barks, and a schooner, which were ships owned by the Union. The Harriet Lane was blown up to prevent the capture by the Confederates.
- The impact was that the Confederacy has taken over another area which had Union forces.
- Confederate Victory
- 650 casualties (600 U.S., 50 Confederate)
The Battle of Palmito Ranch
- located in Cameron, Texas
- took place in 1865
- It is known as the last major clash in the whole civil war, though it occurred when the war was technically over.
- It was a victory for the Confederates, who were led by Col. John Ford.
- it ended all of the battling and fighting, which concluded the war.
- 118 casualties (118 U.S, 0 C.S.)
- Confederate Victory
The Battle of Sabine Pass
- took place in Jefferson, Texas
- September 8, 1863.
- one of the only Union attempts to gain parts of Texas during the Civil War.
- Richard Dowling led a force of about 50 Confederates to repel a Union force of 5,000.
- 0 casualties (300 Union solders captured)
- Union led by Lieutenant Frederick Crocker
- Union Ships; Clifton, Sanchem, Arizona, Granite City
- Confederate Victory
The Battle of Brownsville
- located Brownsville, Texas
- November 2nd-6th 1863
- During the Blockade of Galveston, Brownsville became a major trading port.
- The Union sent about 6,000 troops and quickly captured Brownsville.
- This made trading with Mexico very difficult.
- Union was led by Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks
- Union Victory
The Battle of Red River
- on March 12, 1864
- located in Mansfield, Louisiana
- Union tries to evade Texas from the east, so they go down the Red River and are attacked.
- Union leader was General Nathaniel P. Banks
- Confederate leader was Richard Taylor
- Confederate Victory