Battle of Galveston

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The Battle of Galveston occurred on January 1, 1863, when Confederate forces under Maj. Gen. John B. Magruder attacked and expelled occupying Union troops from the city of Galveston, Texas.

The Union force consisted of three Massachusetts companies of 260 men and seven warships in Galveston harbor. Facing a fortified enemy supported by naval gunfire, the Confederates were forced to retreat an hour after their initial attack at dawn. The Confederate gunboats Bayou City and Neptune arrived shortly thereafter, and while the Neptune was disabled, Bayou City succeeded in boarding the USS Harriet Lane. During this time, the USS Westfield was grounded on a sandbar, and was unable to be freed. A three hour truce was called by Magruder, but Union Fleet Commander William B. Renshaw, ignoring the negotiation offer, attempted to destroy the grounded Westfield rather than let it fall into enemy hands. Renshaw and several Union troops were subsequently killed when the explosives were set off too early. Union troops on shore were convinced that their own ships were surrendering, and therefore laid down their arms. The ships did not surrender, and succeeded in retiring to Union controlled New Orleans.

Galveston remained in Confederate hands for the remainder of the war. The Union blockade around the city was temporarily lifted for ten days.