In late October 1862 the Union Gulf Blockading fleet continued to harass the Texas Confederate coastline, attacking at Sabine Pass on October 29 and Lavaca on October 31. At Sabine Pass, Union ships skirmished with Confederate batteries, but without adequate manpower Union forces could not physically occupy the area. In truth, a visiting blockade runner from England had brought yellow fever to the area in September 1862 so Union forces cared not to expose themselves to that disease. At Lavaca, several Confederate garrisons were stationed in the town, which also had a large Confederate arsenal and small-arms manufactory. Federal gunboats bombarded the port, but the city, defended by two waterfront batteries and a substantial force of local troops, did not surrender, and Union gunboats withdrew with little damage to the city.
00000174-b11b-ddc3-a1fc-bfdbb1a20000The Schreiner University Department of History is honoring the sesquicentennial of the American Civil War with a series of short vignettes focusing on events from 1861 through 1865. The Civil War was the most destructive conflict in American history, but it was also one of our most defining moments as a people and as a nation. Let us know what you think about "This Week in the Civil War." E-mail your comments to Dr. John Huddleston at jhuddles@schreiner.edu.Airs: Weekdays at 5:19 a.m., 8:19 a.m., 4:19 p.m. on KTXI and 4:49 a.m., 9:29 p.m. on KSTX.