Texas during the Civil War

Why Texas was in the Civil War States Rights-Texans believed states should be able to make their own political, economic and social decisions Slavery-Texans believed that slavery was vital to the economy Sectionalism-The Texas values were similar to other southern states Tariffs/Taxes-Texans wanted low tariffs to continue international trade

Conscription Act Several Texans volunteered to fight More were needed after the first year The Conscription Act made all men between the ages of 18-35 to serve Over 60,000 Texans joined Confederate forces

Unionists About 2,000 Texans fought for the Union Mostly minorities fought for the Union in order to strike back at the Anglo settlers Most Unionists were forced into the Confederate Army, but some were killed

Battle of Galveston July 1861-Union Navy began blockading Galveston October 1862- Union fleet sailed into Galveston Harbor and Confederate forces retreated January 1 1863-Confederate forces converted two steamboats into gun boats and lined the sides with cotton bales for protection Confederate forces recaptured Galveston

Battle of Sabine Pass 1863-US made plans to invade Texas US planned to attack Houston and Beaumont Union soldiers attacked but Confederate forces fought back and won

Battle of Palmito Ranch Confederacy surrendered on April 9 1865 Word spread slowly and Confederate forces did not stop fighting May 12 1865 Union Army tried to occupy Brownsville beside the Rio Grande Confederate troops fought back and were informed the war was over