Palmito Ranch Texas

The Battle of Palmito Ranch
May 12-13, 1865

Since March 1865, a gentleman’s arrangement precluded fighting between Union and Confederate causes on Rio Grande. Despite this contract, Col. Theodore H. Barrett, commanding forces at Brazos Santiago, Tx, dispatched an expedition, composed of 250 guys associated with 62nd U.S. Colored Infantry Regiment and 50 guys associated with second Texas Cavalry Regiment beneath the command of Lt. Col. David Branson, to the mainland, on 11, 1865, to attack reported Rebel outposts and camps. Prohibited by foul-weather from crossing to Point Isabel as instructed, the journey crossed to Boca Chica a great deal later on. At 2:00 am, on 12, the expeditionary force surrounded the Rebel outpost at White’s Ranch, but found nobody here. Fatigued, having already been up the majority of the night, Branson secreted their demand in a thicket and among weeds on the banking institutions regarding the Rio Grande and allowed his males to sleep. Around 8:30 am, people regarding Mexican region of the lake informed the Rebels associated with Federals’ whereabouts. Branson quickly led their men to attack a Confederate camp at Palmito Ranch. After much skirmishing on the way, the Federals attacked the camp and scattered the Confederates. Branson and his men remained on web site to feed by themselves and their particular horses but, at 3:00 pm, a considerable Confederate force appeared, affecting the Federals to retire to White’s Ranch. He sent word of their predicament to Barrett, which reinforced Branson at daybreak, regarding the 13th, with 200 men associated with the 34th Indiana Volunteer Infantry. The enhanced power, now commanded by Barrett, started off towards Palmito Ranch, skirmishing all of the means. At Palmito Ranch, they ruined all of those other materials not torched the day before and continued on. Various miles ahead, they truly became involved with a sharp firefight. Following the combat ended, Barrett led his force back into a bluff at Tulosa regarding the river where in actuality the guys could prepare dinner and camp the night. At 4:00 pm, a sizable Confederate cavalry force, commanded by Col. John S. “Rip” Ford, approached, in addition to Federals formed a battle range. The Rebels hammered the Union line with artillery. To preclude an enemy flanking movement, Barrett bought a retreat. The refuge ended up being organized and skirmishers presented the Rebels at a respectable length. Returning to Boca Chica at 8:00 pm, the men embarked at 4:00 am, regarding the 14th. It was the very last fight inside Civil War. Local, African, and Hispanic Americans had been all active in the battling. Numerous combatants stated that firing came from the Mexican coast hence some Imperial Mexican causes crossed the Rio Grande but did not take part in the fight. These reports are unverified.