Battle of Galveston facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Galveston
Part of the Trans-Mississippi Theater of the American Civil War
CS Bayou City captures USS Harriet Lane during the Battle of Galveston
Date January 1, 1863 (1863-01-01) Location Galveston, Texas Result Confederate victory
Belligerents
United States (Union)	Confederate States (Confederacy)
Commanders and leaders
Isaac S. Burrell William B. Renshaw  †	John B. Magruder Leon Smith
Units involved
West Gulf Blockading Squadron 42nd Massachusetts Infantry	Department of Texas, New Mexico and Arizona Texas Marine Department
Strength
6 gunboats unknown infantry	2 gunboats unknown infantry
Casualties and losses
ca. 420 captured 1 gunboat captured 1 gunboat destroyed	26 killed, 117 wounded

Map of Galveston Battlefield core and study areas by the American Battlefield Protection Program.

The Battle of Galveston was an important fight during the American Civil War. It happened on January 1, 1863, in Galveston, Texas. In this battle, soldiers from the Confederate States took back the city of Galveston from Union troops.

This battle is sometimes called the Second Battle of Galveston. This is because another naval fight, the Battle of Galveston Harbor, happened in October 1862.

The Battle Begins

Confederate forces, led by Major General John B. Magruder, planned to attack the Union ships and soldiers in Galveston. They used two special boats called cottonclads. These were regular ships covered with cotton bales to protect them from enemy fire.

Naval Fight

The two Confederate cottonclads were the CS Bayou City and the CS Neptune. They sailed from Houston to Galveston to fight the Union fleet. The Union fleet had six gunboats: USS Clifton, USS Harriet Lane, USS Westfield, USS Owasco, USS Corypheus, and USS Sachem.

The Confederate ships were outnumbered, but they fought bravely. The Neptune was badly damaged and sank. However, the Bayou City managed to capture the Union ship USS Harriet Lane.

Union Commander's Fate

During the fight, the Union ship USS Westfield got stuck on a sandbar. Confederate General Magruder offered a three-hour break in fighting to talk. But the Union Fleet Commander, William B. Renshaw, refused.

Instead, Renshaw tried to blow up the stuck Westfield. He wanted to stop it from falling into Confederate hands. Sadly, the explosives went off too early. Renshaw and several Union soldiers were killed in the explosion.

Union Surrender on Land

When the Union troops on shore saw the Westfield explode, they thought their ships were giving up. So, they put down their weapons and surrendered. The remaining Union ships did not surrender. They managed to escape and sailed away to New Orleans, which was controlled by the Union.

After the Battle

The Battle of Galveston was a big victory for the Confederates. The Union blockade around Galveston was lifted for four days. Galveston remained the only major port in Confederate hands until the end of the war.

The Confederate Congress praised the soldiers for their "bold, intrepid, and gallant conduct." They said the victory showed that "superior force may be overcome by skillful conception and daring courage." This meant that even though the Union had more ships, the Confederates won with smart planning and bravery.

See also

In Spanish: Batalla de Galveston para niños