The Civil War in Texas and Beyond

1861

Confederate States of America is formed President – Jefferson Davis Capital – Richmond, Virginia Jefferson Davis

Battle of Fort Sumter Charleston, South Carolina 1 st battle of the Civil War Confederate victory Fort Sumter

Fort Sumter, South Carolina

1 st Battle of Bull Run Union troops tried to capture Richmond. Stopped by Confederates and pushed all the way back to Washington, D.C. Showed that neither side was prepared for war. Stonewall Jackson

Richmond Washington D.C.

Battle of Glorietta Pass Preventive strike against New Mexico Texas troops tried to capture Santa Fe to prevent future Union attacks. Led by Gen. Henry H. Sibley

Glorietta Pass, New Mexico

1862

Battle of Shiloh Grant’s 1 st step in trying to capture Mississippi River Confederate Gen.Albert Sidney Johnston was killed in battle 24,000 casualties in 2 days. Terry’s Texas Rangers were part of this battle. Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston

Shiloh, Tennessee

Forty Unionists hanged in Gainesville Some German Unionists were killed trying to leave Texas. Other Unionists were captured, arrested, and forced into the Confederate army.

Battle of New Orleans Union Admiral Farragut took New Orleans at the mouth of the Mississippi River. Admiral David Farragut

New Orleans, La.

Battle of Antietam Robert E. Lee tried to invade Maryland. 23,000 killed in one day of fighting.

Antietam, MD

Union forces capture Galveston Largest Texas seaport Weak defense Captured easily by Union forces

Galveston, Texas

1863

Emancipation Proclamation President Lincoln announced that all slaves in the rebelling states were to be set free.

Battle of Galveston Gen. John McGruder led 500 rebels across the railroad bridge from the mainland to Galveston Gunboats (cotton clads) sailed down Buffalo Bayou from Houston and attacked Union ships in Galveston Bay. Fighting on Galveston docks

Battle of Sabine Pass Union troops planned to sail up Sabine River and capture Houston and Beaumont. Stopped by Houston bartender Dick Dowling and 47 troops. Monument to Dick Dowling

Sabine Pass, Texas

Battle of Gettysburg (July 1 – 3) Robert E. Lee tried to invade Pennsylvania 51,000 casualties in 3 day battle Hood’s Texas Brigade played an important role. Turning point of the Civil War Huge Confederate defeat. Confederate dead at Gettysburg

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

What a spectacular sight! The spectacle of thousands of soldiers spread out for a mile in front of us filled us with such emotion. On one hand the sheer beauty of a vast number of well trained men moving in ranks took on a quality of Olympic precision. But our delight was continuously interrupted by the realization that this represented war and all the horror, death and destruction that goes with it.

Battle of Vicksburg Gen. Grant surrounded Vicksburg, Mississippi for 6 weeks Vicksburg surrendered on July 4. The gave the Union complete control of the Mississippi River. City of Vicksburg during the Civil War

Vicksburg, Mississippi

Battle of Brownsville U.S. tried to stop Confederate trade with Mexico by capturing Brownsville and sailing up the Rio Grande. Stopped by Texas Colonel Santos Benavides Col. Santos Benavides

Brownsville, Texas

1864

Red River Campaign – Battle of Mansfield 24,000 Union troops moved across Louisiana, along the Red River. Planned to attack East Texas and Houston They were pushed back at Mansfield, by a smaller Confederate army from Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Arkansas.

Mansfield, Louisiana

Battle of Atlanta Atlanta was the South’s main manufacturing city. Terry’s Texas Rangers were part of the Confederate Army defending Atlanta. Captured and burned by Union Gen. William T. Sherman.

Atlanta, Georgia

Sherman’s March to the Sea Sherman’s troops marched 300 miles from Atlanta to Savannah. Burned & destroyed everything in their path. (“Total War”) Terry’s Texas Rangers conducted guerrilla style attacks against Sherman’s men

Sherman’s March to the Sea

1865

Grant pursues Lee through Virginia Siege of Petersburg (south of Richmond) Union troops capture Richmond, Virginia Lee’s army retreats, hoping to meet up with Gen. Johnston’s army in the Carolinas Lee’s troops run out of food and ammunition Lee’s army is trapped near Appomattox, Virginia

Appomattox, Virginia

Grant sends note to Lee asking for his surrender "General R.E. Lee, Commanding C.S.A.: 5 P.M., April 7th, The results of the last week must convince you of the hopelessness of further resistance on the part of the Army of Northern Virginia in this struggle. I feel that it is so, and regard it as my duty to shift from myself the responsibility of any further effusion of blood by asking of you the surrender of that portion of the Confederate States army known as the Army of Northern Virginia. U.S. Grant, Lieutenant-General"

Appomattox Court House Robert E. Lee surrendered to Gen. Ulysses Grant in Virginia, ending the Civil War.

Hood’s Texas Brigade was part of the Confederate Army that surrendered at Appomattox.

Battle of Palmito Ranch Last battle of the Civil War Texas Confederates stopped Union troops from invading the Texas mainland.

Assassination of Lincoln President and Mrs. Lincoln visited Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. to see a play. The President was shot in the head by John Wilkes Booth. John Wilkes Booth

Death Bed of Lincoln

Lincoln’s Funeral Procession

Gen. Gordon Granger arrives in Galveston Union forces landed in Galveston and announced that the war was over and the slaves were free. Juneteenth - Emanicipation Day Gen. Gordon Granger

Between 15,000 and 20,000 Texans served in Confederate armies in Virginia, Tennessee and Georgia General Robert E. Lee called Hood’s Texas Brigade his “finest soldiers”. Terry’s Texas Rangers fought in more battles than did any other cavalry regiment in the Civil War.

American Deaths in War Gulf War = 258 Afghanistan = 1,803 War of 1812 = 2,200 Revolutionary War = 4,100 Iraqi War = 4,800 Spanish-American War = 5,400 Mexican-American War = 13,700 Korean War = 33,000 Vietnam War = 55,000 World War I = 115,000 World War II = 318,000 Total = 551,861

American Civil War South = 308,000 North = 410,000 Total = 718,000 Difference = 166,139