The Civil War Comes to Texas

A Choice Between Blue and Grey The Battles The Benavides Family

April 12, 1861 Confederate troops open fire on Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina

The Confederate States of America

60,000 Texans join the CSA army Some who join the CSA army do so for their love of Texas not the CSA Texans join the cavalry not the infantry or navy

Young Johnny Reb ready for war.

The Union Army

Those who join are called the Texas Unionist Mexican Americans and African Americans join the Union army Mexicans tend to join for the pay and because the Union is against slavery

Objectors to the War?

German immigrants do not fight in the war some are against slavery 42 Germans were hung in October 1862, because CSA supporters feared they would support the Union in Texas

Members of a German shooting club.

The Battle of Galveston

Cotton is shipped through Mexican waters and sold to England and France Union ships and troops capture the port of Galveston in Oct. 1862 CSA retakes the port on January 1863
Union gunboat docked at Galveston port.

The Battle of Sabine Pass

On Sept 8, 1863 Union forces attempt to block another Texas port CSA defeat the Union forces. It is an important because its stops the Union army for taking Texas
Union and CSA Naval gunships engaged in battle.

The Battle of Brownsville

November 1863, the Union forces capture Brownsville The capture of Brownsville hurts the CSA because cotton and weapons move through the port for the CSA

The Battle of Laredo

March 19, 1864, 42 CSA Mexican Americans defeat 200 Union troopers for Laredo Colonel Santos Benavides rallies men to fight Laredo serves as a way station for cotton as it is shipped to Mexico

The Benavides Brothers

Colonel Santos Benavides commands Texas Cavalry, 33rd Regiment, in an area known as "The Benavides Texas Confederacy
The Benavides brothers all serve in the CSA as officers

Hoods Texas Brigade at Antietam: Considered one of the bravest fighting units in the Civil War

The Texas Brigade!

Terrys Texas Rangers

Terrys Texas Rangers fought in over 200 battles John Bell Hoods Brigade started out with over 4,000 men when war ends there are only 600 men left
Over 62,000 Texans served during the Civil War more than 1/3 were cavalry troopers

The Civil War Ends

General Robert E. Lee surrenders to General Grant at Appomattox courthouse April 9, 1865 Last battle of Civil War is fought at Palmito Ranch near Brownsville, Texas May 13, 1865