Texas in the Civil War

1. Texas in the Civil War Objective:I can explain why defending Texas was important to the South during the Civil War.

2. The Civil War: Basic Facts • From 1861 to 1865, more than 500,000 Americans were killed in the Civil War. More men died in this war than all other wars we have fought combined.

3. The Civil War: Basic Facts • The 3 Strategies to Union victory • Invade Virginia and capture Richmond, the Southern Confederate capital • Gain control of the Mississippi River • Blockade all southern ports • This was called The Anaconda Plan!

4. Overviewofthe North’sCivil WarStrategy: “Anaconda”Plan

5. The Civil War: Basic Facts • Union advantages • Large population – 22 million people (meant more soldiers) • Huge factories • 75% of railroads • Navy ships

6. The Civil War: Basic Facts • Confederacy advantages • Fighting a defensive war • Superior military leaders • Better soldier skills • Highly motivated

7. Texas Confederates • The Confederate Congress passed the Conscription Act that required men b/w the ages of 18 and 50 to serve in the Confederate military. However, the act excused some people allowing the hiring of substitutes.

8. Texas Confederates • The Texas governors during the Civil War were Confederates Frances Lubbock (1861-1863) and Pendleton Murrah(1863-1865).

9. Texas Confederates Nearly 60,000 Texans joined the Confederate Army. Texan Albert Sidney Johnston was the second-highest ranking Confederate general that fought and died at the Battle of Shiloh in Tennessee.

10. 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.

11. Texas Confederates The most famous Texans were 3 groups who served in the deep South: Hood’s Texas Brigade – Gen. Robert E. Lee called them his “finest soldiers”; led by John Bell Hood Terry’s Texas Rangers – fought in more battles than any other cavalry regiment;led by B.F. Terry Ross’s Texas Brigade – fought primarily in the western Trans-Mississippi River department; led by future governor and Texas A&M President Lawrence Sullivan Ross

12. 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

13. Texas Unionists Some Texas Unionists hid, but were later captured and arrested. Others were forced into the Confederate army. Vigilantes, or citizens who act as an unauthorized police force, hanged about 40 suspected Unionists at Gainesville, Texas in 1862.

14. Texas Battles Galveston Because Texas was an important link in the Confederate supply line, the Union navy used its ships to blockade, or using troops or warships to prevent passage of supplies to the coast of Texas. Cotton was transported through Mexico and sent to Europe in exchange for war supplies. Although Union forces captured the city of Galveston, Confederate forces led by General John B. Magruderrecaptured the city on January 1, 1863. Galveston was crucial because it was the state’s busiest seaport.

15. 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.

16. Texas Battles Sabine Pass The Confederate Davis Guards led by Dick Dowling turned back the Union invasion of Texas at the Battle of Sabine Passin September 1863. They took 350 Union soldiers prisoner and captured 2 ships. This battle was an important victory for the Confederacy since Union plans to launch a major campaign against Texas were dashed.

17. 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

18. Texas Battles Brownsville Confederate Colonel John S. Ford drove the Union army back and recaptured Brownsville in July 1864. Red River Campaign Tom Green, a former member of the congress of the Republic and a veteran of the Battle of San Jacinto and Mexican-American War, also led Confederate forces during the Red River campaign.

19. Texas Battles Palmito Ranch At Appomattox Courthourse, Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to U.S. General Ulysses S. Grant on April 9, 1865. However, on May 13, 1865, Confederate forces led by John S. Ford defeated Union troops in Texas at Palmito Ranch – the final land battle of the war. The Confederates did NOT know Lee had surrendered a month earlier! They were informed by Union prisoners of the news!

20. Surrender at Appomattox April 9, 1865 After the War ended, Lee dedicated his home [above] in Arlington, Virginia for a military burial grounds – today known as the Arlington National Cemetery

21. The Civil War Ends The North’s victory in the Civil War meant the Union was preserved. On April 14 (five days after Appomattox), a southern sympathizer named John Wilkes Boothassassinated President Lincoln in Ford’s Theater in Washington D.C. As a result of this tragic event, the whole nation grieved together.

22. The Assassination

23. The Assassin John Wilkes Booth

24. The Civil War Ends As a result of the South’s surrender, the Texas state government collapseddue to lack of leadership. Governor Pendleton Murrahfled to Mexico in June 1865 to escape Union troops. This action resulted in Texas being lawlessfor a brief period of time.

25. Recap: Texas in the Civil War What were the 3 key strategies to Union victory? What was the Conscription Act? What 3 Texas units were famous for fighting in the Civil War? Why was Galveston so important? Where else in and around Texas did Civil War battles take place?