On Friday, May 12, 1865 in the last engagement of any significance during the Civil War Union troops from Brazos de Santiago, Texas under Colonel Theodore Barrett marched inland toward Brownsville and attacked Palmito Ranch on the banks of the Rio Grande River, some twelve miles from Brownsville. The ranch was taken, but the Federals retreated under pressure. Returning the following day, Union troops were attacked by Confederate forces commanded by Colonel John S. Ford and driven from the field. The fighting at Palmito Ranch on May 13, 1865 can be rightly claimed a Confederate victory. Union Private John J. Williams of the 34th Indiana was the last fatality during the Battle at Palmito Ranch, making him likely the final combatant to perish during the American Civil War.
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.