On this date in 1865, more than a month after the general surrender of Confederate forces to union forces at Appomattox Court House. Confederate troops under the leadership of John "Rip" Ford got one last Confederate win at the Battle of Palmito Ranch. Headlines read: "The last battle in the War Between the States, May 13, 1865: Confederate Force of 300 defeats 1,700 Federals near Brownsville, Texas"
Both Union and Confederate forces in South Texas had been observing an unofficial truce for almost 5 months already and both armies present knew that the war was already over, when the union all-black unit under the command of Theodore H. Barrett decided to attack the Confederate camp near Fort Brown for unknown reasons.
When the dust settles the Confederates had 5 wounded. On the other hand the union had 12 wounded, 30 dead, and 101 captured.
#DontMessWithTexas
