DID YOU KNOW?

DID YOU KNOW...the last land battle of the Civil War was fought in the Rio Grande Valley?

By. Dr. Kimberly Selber

During the Civil War, the Rio Grande served as a significant point of contention as skirmishes between both Union and Confederate forces erupted along the border between the military forts of Fort McIntosh in Laredo, Ringgold Barracks in Rio Grande City, and Fort Brown in Brownsville. It is an important facet of American History that the last land battle of the Civil War was fought along the Mexican border at Palmito Ranch near Brownsville, Texas.

Thanks to the CHAPS program at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, the Rio Grande Valley Civil War Trail is well documented and marked with signposts. This historical trail weaves its way through the picturesque landscapes of the Rio Grande Valley, offering visitors a unique opportunity to delve into the lesser-known aspects of the Civil War’s influence on this borderland. Far from the famous battlefields of the Eastern and Western theaters, this trail sheds light on the forgotten stories of a tumultuous era that shaped the Rio Grande Valley’s history.

A Journey Through Time

The Civil War, which raged from 1861 to 1865, was a turning point in American history. While the conflict primarily took place in the eastern United States, its influence extended far beyond, reaching the Rio Grande Valley. The region’s strategic location as a borderland between the Confederacy and Mexico made it an essential hub for military operations and played a significant role in the conflict.

The Significance Of The Rio Grande Valley

The Rio Grande Valley, located in the southernmost tip of Texas, encompasses the area along the Rio Grande River that separates the United States from Mexico. During the Civil War, the region was divided in its loyalties. While Texas seceded from the Union and joined the Confederate States of America in 1861, the Mexican population in the Rio Grande Valley largely sympathized with the Union cause due to its anti-slavery stance.

The Rio Grande River also served as a lifeline for trade and smuggling, and control of this waterway was a critical objective for both Union and Confederate forces. The Confederacy aimed to maintain control of the border to ensure the uninterrupted supply of goods to their forces, while the Union sought to blockade the river and weaken Confederate trade routes.

Tracing The Trail

The Rio Grande Valley Civil War Trail takes history enthusiasts on a captivating journey through the region’s pivotal sites and landmarks. From Brownsville to Laredo, the trail winds its way through towns and countryside, offering visitors a chance to connect with the past and gain insights into the lives of the people who lived through those turbulent times. Here are just a few of the significant locations along the trail.

Fort Brown - Located in present-day Brownsville, Fort Brown was the site of the first battle of the Mexican-American War. During the Civil War, it served as a strategic outpost for both the Union and Confederacy at one time or another

The Treviño-Uribe Rancho - This historic ranch in San Ygnacio in Zapata Count was the site of a clash between Confederate troops and Juan Cortina of Brownsville in 1861.

Laredo - St. Augustine’s Plaza was a beehive of activity after Confederate officer Col. Santos Benavides established his headquarters there. Union forces attempted to destroy 5,000 bales of cotton stacked in the plaza when they attacked the town in March 1864 but were repelled in the Battle of Zacate Creek.

Mifflin Kenedy Warehouse - Built in 1854 near the steamboat landing in Rio Grande City, it served as an official Confederate port of entry, customhouse, and terminus of a cotton trail to Mexico. In 1864 Union forces captured the warehouse and Fort Ringgold.

Palmito Ranch Battlefield - Often referred to as the “Last Battle of the Civil War,” this site witnessed the final armed engagement of the war on May 12, 1865. It was a Confederate victory but occurred more than a month after General Lee’s surrender at Appomattox.

To learn more about the Rio Grande Valley Civil War Trail, including downloadable maps and video content, visit UTRGV.EDU/CIVILWAR-TRAIL