The Civil WarThe Civil War

Texans Go to WarTexans Go to War

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Many Texans Become SoldiersMany Texans Become Soldiers When fighting began, Confederate When fighting began, Confederate

President Jefferson Davis called for President Jefferson Davis called for volunteers. volunteers.

The Confederate Congress passed the The Confederate Congress passed the Conscription Act in 1862. Conscription Act in 1862.

Conscription is the forced enrollment of Conscription is the forced enrollment of people into military service. people into military service.

This required that all men between ages This required that all men between ages 18 and 35 to serve in the armed forces. 18 and 35 to serve in the armed forces.

The act allowed some to hire substitutes.The act allowed some to hire substitutes. Later the conscription act was extended to Later the conscription act was extended to

age limits to men between 17 and 50. age limits to men between 17 and 50.

Most Texans Support the SouthMost Texans Support the South Before the Civil War began, more than ¼ Before the Civil War began, more than ¼

of all Texans were against secession. of all Texans were against secession. After fighting began most people After fighting began most people

supported the Confederacy.supported the Confederacy. More than 60,000 Texans joined the More than 60,000 Texans joined the

armed forces of the Confederacy.armed forces of the Confederacy. Some slaveholders brought along their Some slaveholders brought along their

slaves to serve as orderlies.slaves to serve as orderlies. Albert Sidney JohnstonAlbert Sidney Johnston commanded the commanded the

army of the Republic of Texas. He then army of the Republic of Texas. He then commanded the Confederate troops at commanded the Confederate troops at Tennessee and was killed at the battle of Tennessee and was killed at the battle of Shiloh. Shiloh.

Some Texans Aid the UnionSome Texans Aid the Union About 2,000 Texas Unionists, or people who About 2,000 Texas Unionists, or people who

supported the Union cause, joined the supported the Union cause, joined the Union army.Union army.

About 50 Unionists were African American.About 50 Unionists were African American. African American Milton Holland won the African American Milton Holland won the

Medal of Honor for his valor n action Medal of Honor for his valor n action against an enemy force.against an enemy force.

Some Mexican Americans fought under the Some Mexican Americans fought under the command of Colonel Santos Benavides.command of Colonel Santos Benavides.

Some Teas Unionists did not want to fight Some Teas Unionists did not want to fight for one side or the other because it meant for one side or the other because it meant leaving Texas. leaving Texas.

Some Texans Aid the UnionSome Texans Aid the Union Some Texas Unionists hid to escape Some Texas Unionists hid to escape

conscription officers. Some were captured conscription officers. Some were captured and arrested. and arrested.

Others were forced into the Confederate Others were forced into the Confederate army.army.

Vigilantes, citizens who act as the Vigilantes, citizens who act as the unauthorized police hanged about 40 unauthorized police hanged about 40 suspected Unionists. suspected Unionists.

Fighting for GalvestonFighting for Galveston Texas was a vital link in the Confederate Texas was a vital link in the Confederate

chain of supplies. chain of supplies. The Union navy used ships to blockade all The Union navy used ships to blockade all

Texas ports to prevent goods and supplies Texas ports to prevent goods and supplies form leaving and entering by water.form leaving and entering by water.

The navy could not control the flow of The navy could not control the flow of cotton over land to Mexico. From there, cotton over land to Mexico. From there, cotton was sent to Europe in exchange for cotton was sent to Europe in exchange for manufactured goods and war materials. manufactured goods and war materials.

In 1862, Union forces easily captured In 1862, Union forces easily captured Galveston.Galveston.

Fighting for GalvestonFighting for Galveston Confederate leaders realized that the war Confederate leaders realized that the war

effort would suffer serious blow if effort would suffer serious blow if Galveston remained in the Union hands. Galveston remained in the Union hands.

General John B. Magruder, in a daring General John B. Magruder, in a daring Confederate attack, successfully retook Confederate attack, successfully retook Galveston.Galveston.

Although Union forces had been unable to Although Union forces had been unable to keep Galveston, the imposed a blockade keep Galveston, the imposed a blockade around its port.around its port.

Blockade runners were able to slip Blockade runners were able to slip through Union blockades and brought through Union blockades and brought much-needed supplies. (Denbigh)much-needed supplies. (Denbigh)

Texans Defend the Sabine PassTexans Defend the Sabine Pass In 1863, Union forces made another try at In 1863, Union forces made another try at

invading Texas – this time by sailing up invading Texas – this time by sailing up the Sabine River.the Sabine River.

When the Union gunboats tried to sail When the Union gunboats tried to sail past Fort Griffin, a company of 47 past Fort Griffin, a company of 47 soldiers, opened fire.soldiers, opened fire.

The Union fleet returned to New Orleans.The Union fleet returned to New Orleans.

Forces Battle Near BrownsvilleForces Battle Near Brownsville Wagon trains carried supplies and goods Wagon trains carried supplies and goods

across South Texas from Brownsville.across South Texas from Brownsville. Hoping to cut off this overland supply Hoping to cut off this overland supply

line, Union strategists focused on line, Union strategists focused on capturing the supply center of capturing the supply center of Brownsville.Brownsville.

Colonel Santo Benavides and Colonel John Colonel Santo Benavides and Colonel John S. Ford drove the Union army back and S. Ford drove the Union army back and recaptured Brownsville in July 1864. recaptured Brownsville in July 1864.

Red River and BeyondRed River and Beyond Early in the war, Union forces captured Early in the war, Union forces captured

New Orleans and occupied southern New Orleans and occupied southern Louisiana.Louisiana.

From there they launched an invasion of From there they launched an invasion of northeastern Texas in 1864.northeastern Texas in 1864.

Confederate leaders called in troops from Confederate leaders called in troops from Texas, Louisiana, Missouri, and Arkansas. Texas, Louisiana, Missouri, and Arkansas.

The troops commanded by Richard Taylor The troops commanded by Richard Taylor routed the Union forces, taking more than routed the Union forces, taking more than 2,000 prisoners. 2,000 prisoners.