Battle of Brownsville facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Brownsville, Texas |
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| Part of the Trans-Mississippi Theater of the American Civil War |
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| Belligerents | ||||||||
 United States (Union) |
 Confederate States (Confederacy) |
 Mexican patriots |
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| Commanders and leaders | ||||||||
| Nathaniel P. Banks | Hamilton P. Bee | José Maria Cobos | ||||||
| Units involved | ||||||||
| 3 brigades from XIII Corps (6,000) |
4 companies, 33rd Texas Cavalry (150) 2 companies of 3 month volunteers |
local citizens | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | ||||||||
| unknown | 1 killed 1 wounded 1 company deserted |
unknown | ||||||
The Battle of Brownsville happened from November 2 to November 6, 1863. It was part of the American Civil War. The Union Army wanted to stop the Confederacy from secretly shipping cotton out of Texas. This battle helped the Union achieve that goal. After the battle, a group of Mexican patriots took control of Matamoros, a city across the border in Mexico.
Contents
Why the Battle Happened
Stopping Trade Routes
During the Civil War, the Union Navy tried to block Southern ports. This stopped the Confederacy from selling cotton. Cotton was very important for the Southern economy. At first, cotton from Texas was shipped from Port Isabel. But Union forces captured that port.
So, the Confederates moved their trade inland to Brownsville, Texas. From Brownsville, they sent cotton across the border into Matamoros, Mexico. From Matamoros, the cotton could be shipped from neutral Mexican ports. This way, the Confederacy could still sell its cotton.
Showing Union Power
The U.S. government also wanted to show its strength near the Mexican border. This was because France had recently invaded Mexico. They had put Maximillian in charge there. The U.S. wanted to make sure its presence was known.
After a tough loss for the Union at the second Battle of Sabine Pass, General Nathaniel P. Banks was told to try again. His mission was to invade Texas.
The Battle of Brownsville
Union Forces Arrive
General Nathaniel Banks gathered about 6,000 Union soldiers. These soldiers were from three different groups. The Confederate forces in the area were much smaller. General Hamilton P. Bee commanded them. He had only about 150 men. Most other Confederate soldiers had been sent to other places.
On November 2, 1863, Banks's Union forces landed near the mouth of the Rio Grande river. General Bee sent out two small groups of cavalry to watch them. One group reported that the Union soldiers had landed. General Bee then started to prepare Brownsville for evacuation.
Confederate Retreat and Fires
Colonel William M. Dye's Union soldiers led the advance. They chased off the Confederate cavalry. By 10:00 AM on November 6, 1863, Dye's men entered Brownsville. General Bee quickly ordered his soldiers to leave the city. He also told them to burn military supplies and cotton.
Inside Fort Brown, there were 8,000 pounds of old explosives. These caused a huge explosion. It scared the people living in Brownsville.
Citizens Take Action
As the Confederates left, some soldiers started taking things from the city. They also caused fires to spread. Local citizens became upset. A Mexican general named José Maria Cobos was living in Brownsville. He was a refugee because of the French invasion in Mexico.
General Cobos got permission from the city leaders. He organized a group of citizens. Their goal was to stop the looting and put out the fires.
Around noon, General Banks himself arrived in Brownsville. By 4:00 PM, all the Union forces were there. Colonel Dye was put in charge of the city. The Union army set up camp in Brownsville. They also found a lot of cotton that the Confederates had left behind.
What Happened Next
Impact on Trade
Losing Brownsville was a big blow to the Confederacy. It made it much harder for them to trade cotton. Their new trade route into Mexico was about 300 miles away.
Brownsville became a base for the Union Army. From there, they could plan more attacks along the Texas coast.
Mexican Patriots Take Control
General Cobos, who had organized the citizens, took his group across the border. They took control of Matamoros. He continued to be a concern for General Banks.
Confederates Try to Return
Confederate forces tried to get Brownsville back in 1864. Colonel John S. "Rip" Ford gathered a large group of cavalry. But on July 30, 1864, Ford found that the new Union commander, Francis J. Herron, had already left Brownsville. The Confederates were able to take back the city without a fight.
Who Fought in the Battle
Union Army
The main Union commander was Major General Nathaniel P. Banks. His forces included soldiers from the XIII Corps, led by Major General Napoleon J.T. Dana.
Confederate Army
The Confederate forces in the area were part of the District of Texas, New Mexico & Arizona. They were led by Major General John B. Magruder. The soldiers directly involved in the battle were commanded by Brigadier General Hamilton P. Bee. His forces included the 33rd Texas Cavalry and some volunteer companies.
