Texas Secession and Civil War Texas Secession Convention

Texas Secession and Civil War

Texas Secession Convention meets January 28, 1861 What would be some reasons for and against Texas secession?

Federal government should not intervene with state affairs Texans believed slavery was vital to their economy*** Unfair taxes on imports and exports in the south

Texas votes in favor of secession and joins the Confederacy

“To Secede from the Union and set up another government would cause war. If you go to war with the United States, you will never conquer her, as she has the money and men. If she does not whip you by guns, powder, and steel, she will starve you to death. It will take the flower of the country – young men” Governor Sam Houston

Sam Houston Governor of Texas Refuses to swear to the Oath of Allegiance to the Confederacy and is removed from office March 16, 1861

Texans go to war

Soldiers Needed The Conscription Act required men between the ages of 18 and 35 to serve in the Confederate Army. Some people were excused and allowed to hire a “substitute” ( 20 slave rule) Germans in central Texas objected to fighting against the Union. Before the war, 1/4 of all Texans were against secession. Once the fighting began most people supported the Confederacy.

Texans in the War General Albert Sidney Johnston was the second highest ranking general in the Confederate Army. He commanded troops in Tennessee. He dies at the Battle of Shiloh.

Terry’s Texas Rangers Group of Texas volunteers for the Confederate Army Fought in 275 battles in 7 states including the Battle of Shiloh and fighting Sherman in Atlanta. In Civil war history did a cavalry unit defeat an infantry army. Terry’s Texas Rangers did it both times.

John Bell Hood Leader of the Confederacy’s Hood’s Texas Brigade Fought at the Seven Day’s Campaign and Gettysburg Ft. Hood in Killeen is named after him

John Reagan Served in the cabinet of Confederate President Jefferson Davis as Postmaster General Francis Lubbock (Governor of Texas in 1861) When his term was over in 1863 he joined the Confederate Army serving under Major General John Magruder

Thomas Green Led the troops that were on the steamboats converted to gunboats by General Magruder, who commanded the Confederate forces in Texas.

John B. (Bankhead) Magruder Born in Virginia Commanded Confederate forces in Texas Recaptured Galveston

Battle of Galveston July 1861 – the Union Navy Began to blockade Texas Ports October 1862 – a Union fleet sailed into Galveston Harbor and Confederate forces retreated. January 1, 1863 Magruder recaptured it by converting two steamboats into gunboats by lining their sides with cotton bales, earning the nickname “cotton clads” Several hundred Union soldiers were captured and the city of Galveston is once again under Confederate control.

Battle of Sabine Pass 1863 Union wants to invade Texas by landing 5, 000 troops near Sabine City and then plan to march to Houston and Beaumont and attack. Ft. Griffin at Sabine Pass is being guarded by Conf. Lt. Richard Dowling and Davis Guards. Sept 8, 1863 Union soldiers Attack, but Davis Guards fights back and wins a victory for the Confederacy.

Fun Civil War facts By this point in time Robert E. Lee has surrendered April 9 at Appomattox Courthouse Lincoln has been assassinated April 15 although he was shot the night before Booth himself has been shot and killed April 26, 1865 May 9 President Johnson has declared an official end to the war. May 10 Jefferson Davis is captured. So what’s going on in Texas? ?

Battle of Palmito Ranch ( Last Battle of the Civil War) Robert E. Lee surrenders April 9, 1865 due to slow communication fighting continues. May 12, 1865 Union Army moved inland to occupy Brownsville but were unable to hold the city Texas/Confederate victory

General Gordon Granger arrives in Galveston to inform Texas that all slaves were now free. Approximately 250, 000 slaves in Texas were now free General Orders, No. 3 The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, “all slaves are free. ” This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property.