Battle of Mustang Island facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Mustang Island
Part of the Trans-Mississippi Theater of the American Civil War
Date November 17, 1863 Location Mustang Island, Texas 27°44′21.8″N 97°7′54.1″W / 27.739389°N 97.131694°W / 27.739389; -97.131694Coordinates: 27°44′21.8″N 97°7′54.1″W / 27.739389°N 97.131694°W / 27.739389; -97.131694 Result Union victory
Belligerents
United States (Union)	CSA (Confederacy)
Commanders and leaders
Nathaniel P. Banks Thomas E. G. Ransom	George O. Dunaway
Strength
13th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment 15th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment 20th Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment USS Monongahela	Detachments from: Co. "I" 8th Texas Infantry Regiment 3rd Texas Militia Regiment
Casualties and losses
unknown	unknown killed and wounded 98 surrendered

The Battle of Mustang Island was a small but important fight during the American Civil War. It happened on November 17, 1863, in Texas. Union forces, led by Major General Nathaniel P. Banks, wanted to take control of parts of the Texas coast. In this battle, Union soldiers attacked and captured a small Confederate fort on Mustang Island. This victory helped the Union gain more control in the area.

Why the Battle Happened

After the Battle of Brownsville, the Union army set up a base there. General Banks then planned to move against Corpus Christi. He sent Brigadier General Thomas E. G. Ransom to attack a Confederate fort. This fort was made of earth and was called Fort Semmes. It was located on Mustang Island.

The Confederate soldiers defending Fort Semmes were a small group. There were fewer than 100 men in total. These soldiers were from the 3rd Texas State Militia and the 8th Texas Infantry. They were led by Major George O. Dunaway and Captain William N. Maltby.

What Happened During the Battle

General Ransom's Union soldiers marched quickly towards Fort Semmes. On November 17, they met some Confederate soldiers who were scouting ahead. Ransom's men fired one shot, and the Confederate scouts quickly retreated back into Fort Semmes.

Ransom then set up his soldiers for a full attack. He used the 20th Iowa, 13th Maine, and 15th Maine Infantry Regiments. At the same time, the Union ship USS Monongahela fired its cannons at the fort from the water. The small group of Confederate soldiers inside Fort Semmes was not ready for such a strong attack. The fighting ended very quickly after it began.

Major Dunaway, the Confederate commander, decided to surrender. He gave up the entire group of soldiers without any conditions. They did not try to fight their way back to the mainland.

After the Battle

Soon after the battle, Major General Cadwallader C. Washburn arrived. He took command of the Union forces along the Texas Coast. Washburn then led the Union troops to capture another fort. This was Fort Esperanza, which they took on November 30, 1863.