The Civil War

The most violent war in Texas!

The Civil War in Texas

During the Civil War the Union navy put a blockade around Confederate ports. The Union hoped to stop the shipping of goods into and out of Confederate ports. In 1862 Union forces captured the Texas port city of Galveston. Soon after, Confederate forces led by General John Bankhead Magruder took back the city. The Confederacy held Galveston for the rest of the war.

Famous Texas Fighters

Soldiers from Texas fought in many battles of the Civil War. General Albert Sidney Johnston led Confederate forces in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Mississippi. About 4,500 soldiers were part of the brigade at the start of the war. By the end of the war, only about 600 soldiers were left.

The Fighting Ends

Nearly all battles of the Civil war were fought in the South. Four years of fighting had destroyed Southern farms, homes, and businesses. On May 13, 1865, these forces fought the last land battle of the Civil War at Palmito Ranch in Southern Texas. In the battle, the Confederate cavalry defeated the Union infantry. The Union forces retreated to Brazos Island.