Today's date in history, 23 Oct. 1864

[Lee Ragan]

Who ever writes Grunts blurb about todays date in military history needs to check their facts. Despite what it says, 23 October 1864 was NOT the end of fighting west of the Mississippi during the War Between the States. The Battle of Palmito Ranch in southern Texas was fought in May of 1865 and the last Confederate forces in the Trans-Mississippi didn't surrender until June of that year.

[Redleg]

Some battle, one KIA.

Early in 1865, both sides in Texas made a gentlemen's agreement that there was no point to further hostilities. By that time, most Union troops had pulled out from Texas for campaigns to the east, such as the Red River Campaign. The Confederates sought to protect their remaining ports for cotton sales to Europe, as well as importation of supplies. Mexicans tended to side with the Confederates due to a lucrative smuggling trade.

Why the battle happened remains something of a mystery. Some have suggested that the Union commander, Colonel Theodore H. Barrett of the 62nd U.S.C.T., desired "a little battlefield glory before the war ended altogether. Others suggested that Barrett needed horses for the dismounted cavalry in his command and for other purposes.