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Thursday, May 07, 07:54:06am [ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: [1], 2, 3, 4 ]

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Date Posted: 05/17/05 2:41:47pm
Author: Dusty Lind
Subject: Re: Darn Fine Book
In reply to: Doug Cooper 's message, "Re: Darn Fine Book" on 05/16/05 5:18:24pm

Doug,
First of all there were two battles of Palmito Ranch, the first was fought on 6 September 1864 and the latter was May 12 and 13th 1865.
I have found no decent books on the said battle. This book gives a perspective that the 34 Indiana ( a zuzu outfit) was the cause of the defeat. Other books have laid the blame on the other reg'ts to include the 2nd Texas Cav (US), and the 62nd Infantry (USCT). After reading several books on the battle I myself must lay the blame on the Commander Col Barrett.
The worse part is about this whole battle is that a few days prior a steamboat passenger gave a copy of the New Orleans Times to the rebels at Palmito Ranch which detailed Lees surrender, Lincoln death, Gen'l Johnson surrender and General Taylors Surrender.
Ole Rip Ford was concerned the cotton belong to KIng and Kenedy would be seized as contraband. Also Ford an ex member of the Golden Circle did not want to surrender to black troops and vowed to fight to the end.
While Ford gathered men of the 2nd Texas Cav and other units, (including French Arty men who just happened to be in the area). Other rebel officers were moving as much cotton as possible into Mexico to line their own pockets.
The Federals fell back to Brazo Santiago after the defeat and their well entrenched postions. General Slaughter arrived to command the conderate forces. Col Ford sent out men to probe the forts defenses. A firefight broke out and Private John J. Williams of the 34th Indiana was the last official man killed in combat during the Civil War.
When the rebels fell back they were shelled by a Union warship off Brazos Santiago. A 17 year old rebel fired his Enfield rifle back at the ship, with a very profane curse for such a small boy, which caused a loud laugh from his comrades. So ended the Civil War.
It was not until May 26th 1865 that General Edmund Kirby Smith surrendered the Trans-Mississippi Department.
On a side note General Slaughter later confiscated 630 bales of cotton at Ringold Barracks. He moved the cotton to Carmargo across the border and sold to Franciso YTurria and sold for 25 dollars a bale. General Slaughter took the money and rode into Mexico a rich man.

Dusty Lind

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