The Civil War Comes to Texas A Choice Between Blue and Grey The Battles The Benavides Family

April 12, 1861 Confederate troops open fire on Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina

The Confederate States of America 60,000 Texans join the CSA army 60,000 Texans join the CSA army Some who join the CSA army do so for their love of Texas not the CSA Some who join the CSA army do so for their love of Texas not the CSA Texans join the cavalry not the infantry or navy Texans join the cavalry not the infantry or navy Young Johnny Reb ready for war.

The Union Army Those who join are called the Texas Unionist Those who join are called the Texas Unionist Mexican Americans and African Americans join the Union army Mexican Americans and African Americans join the Union army Mexicans tend to join for the pay and because the Union is against slavery Mexicans tend to join for the pay and because the Union is against slavery

Objectors to the War? German immigrants do not fight in the war some are against slavery German immigrants do not fight in the war some are against slavery 42 Germans were hung in October 1862, because CSA supporters feared they would support the Union in Texas 42 Germans were hung in October 1862, because CSA supporters feared they would support the Union in Texas Members of a German shooting club.

The Battle of Galveston Cotton is shipped through Mexican waters and sold to England and France Cotton is shipped through Mexican waters and sold to England and France Union ships and troops capture the port of Galveston in Oct Union ships and troops capture the port of Galveston in Oct CSA retakes the port on January 1863 CSA retakes the port on January 1863 Union gunboat docked at Galveston port.

The Battle of Sabine Pass On Sept 8, 1863 Union forces attempt to block another Texas port On Sept 8, 1863 Union forces attempt to block another Texas port CSA defeat the Union forces. It is an important because its stops the Union army for taking Texas CSA defeat the Union forces. It is an important because its stops the Union army for taking Texas Union and CSA Naval gunships engaged in battle.

The Battle of Brownsville November 1863, the Union forces capture Brownsville November 1863, the Union forces capture Brownsville The capture of Brownsville hurts the CSA because cotton and weapons move through the port for the CSA The capture of Brownsville hurts the CSA because cotton and weapons move through the port for the CSA

The Battle of Laredo March 19, 1864, 42 CSA Mexican Americans defeat 200 Union troopers for Laredo March 19, 1864, 42 CSA Mexican Americans defeat 200 Union troopers for Laredo Colonel Santos Benavides rallies men to fight Colonel Santos Benavides rallies men to fight Laredo serves as a way station for cotton as it is shipped to Mexico Laredo serves as a way station for cotton as it is shipped to Mexico

The Benavides Brothers Colonel Santos Benavides commands Texas Cavalry, 33rd Regiment, in an area known as "The Benavides Texas Confederacy” Colonel Santos Benavides commands Texas Cavalry, 33rd Regiment, in an area known as "The Benavides Texas Confederacy” The Benavides brothers all serve in the CSA as officers The Benavides brothers all serve in the CSA as officers

Hood’s Texas Brigade at Antietam: Considered one of the bravest fighting units in the Civil War

The Texas Brigade!

Terry’s Texas Rangers Terry’s Texas Rangers fought in over 200 battles Terry’s Texas Rangers fought in over 200 battles John Bell Hood’s Brigade started out with over 4,000 men when war ends there are only 600 men left John Bell Hood’s Brigade started out with over 4,000 men when war ends there are only 600 men left Over 62,000 Texans served during the Civil War more than 1/3 were cavalry troopers

The Civil War Ends General Robert E. Lee surrenders to General Grant at Appomattox courthouse April 9, 1865 General Robert E. Lee surrenders to General Grant at Appomattox courthouse April 9, 1865 Last battle of Civil War is fought at Palmito Ranch near Brownsville, Texas May 13, 1865 Last battle of Civil War is fought at Palmito Ranch near Brownsville, Texas May 13, 1865