Battle of Fort Esperanza facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Fort Esperanza
Part of the Trans-Mississippi Theater of the American Civil War
Date November 27–30, 1863 Location Cedar Bayou and Matagorda Island, Texas Result Union victory
Belligerents
United States (Union)	CSA (Confederacy)
Commanders and leaders
Cadwallader C. Washburn	William R. Bradfute
Strength
1st Brigade, 1st Division 13th Army Corps commanded by Colonel Henry D. Washburn 8th Indiana Volunteer Infantry Regiment 18th Indiana Volunteer Infantry Regiment 33rd Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment 99th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment Battery G, 1st Michigan Light Artillery 23rd Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment attached from 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 13th Army Corps 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 13th Army Corps commanded by Brig. General Thomas E.G. Ransom 34th Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment 13th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment 15th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment Battery F, 1st Missouri Light Artillery	Detachments from: 8th Texas Volunteer Infantry Regiment 5th Texas Militia
Casualties and losses
1 killed 10 wounded	1 killed 10 captured

The Battle of Fort Esperanza happened in Texas during the American Civil War. It took place from November 27 to 30, 1863. Union forces, led by Major General Cadwallader C. Washburn, attacked a fort on Matagorda Island. This fort was defended by Colonel William R. Bradfute and a small group of Confederate soldiers. After some fighting, the Confederates left the fort. Not many soldiers were hurt on either side.

Why the Battle Happened

After winning battles at Brownsville and Mustang Island, Union soldiers kept moving up the Texas coast. Their goal was to reach Matagorda Island. On the northern part of Matagorda Island was Fort Esperanza. Colonel William R. Bradfute commanded this fort. He had soldiers from the 8th Texas Infantry and the 5th Texas Militia. Some local volunteers also helped defend the fort.

What Happened During the Battle

Union Forces Arrive

Brigadier General Thomas E. G. Ransom led the first group of Union soldiers. On November 23, Ransom's men tried to cross Cedar Bayou. They faced some small fights and bad weather. Once they crossed, they set up camp. They waited for the next Union group, led by Colonel Henry D. Washburn, to join them.

First Skirmishes

On November 27, General Washburn arrived. He ordered Ransom's group to move through the middle of the island. Colonel Washburn's group moved along the coast. Colonel Washburn's soldiers reached Fort Esperanza first. They met Confederate guards from the 8th Texas Infantry. After a short fight, these guards went back inside the fort.

Artillery Fire and Retreat

Bad weather on November 28 limited the fighting. There were only small skirmishes and occasional cannon fire. Nothing important happened that day. On November 29, Ransom's group was in position. Two Union cannon batteries began firing at the fort. Union foot soldiers then pushed the Texas soldiers out of their outside trenches. The cannons kept firing accurately at the Confederate defenses.

That evening, Colonel Bradfute held a meeting with his officers. They decided to leave the fort. Shortly after midnight on November 30, Bradfute's men blew up the fort's ammunition storage. They also made their cannons unusable and then left. The explosion told the Union forces that the Confederates had gone. Union soldiers entered the fort but found it empty.

Two Indiana regiments were sent to chase the retreating Confederates. They only managed to capture one cannon that was guarding a crossing point. Even though much of the fort's equipment was destroyed, the Union forces captured the fort. They also found some much-needed supplies left behind. The Confederates had one soldier killed and 10 captured. The Union soldiers had one killed and 10 wounded.