Battle of Galveston

Battle of Galveston
Part of the American Civil War
CS Bayou City captures the USS Harriet Lane during the Battle of Galveston
Date January 1, 1863 (1863-01-01) Location Galveston, Texas Result Confederate victory
Belligerents
United States (Union)	Confederate States (Confederacy)
Commanders and leaders
Isaac S. Burrell William B. Renshaw	John B. Magruder
Units involved
West Gulf Blockading Squadron 42nd Massachusetts Infantry	Department of Texas, New Mexico and Arizona Texas Marine Department
Strength
6 gunboats unknown infantry	2 gunboats unknown infantry
Casualties and losses
ca. 400 captured 1 gunboat captured 1 gunboat destroyed	26 killed, 117 wounded

The Battle of Galveston was a naval and land battle of the American Civil War, when Confederate forces under Major Gen. John B. Magruder expelled occupying Union troops from the city of Galveston, Texas on January 1, 1863.

After the loss of the cutter Harriet Lane, the Union Fleet Commander William B. Renshaw blew up the stranded vessel USS Westfield to save it from falling into enemy hands. Union troops on shore thought the fleet was surrendering, and laid down their arms.

The battle is sometimes called the Second Battle of Galveston, as the Battle of Galveston Harbor (October 1862) is sometimes called the First Battle of Galveston.

Two Confederate cottonclads, CS Bayou City and the CS Neptune, sailed from Houston to Galveston in an effort to engage the Union Fleet in Galveston Harbor, which consisted of USS Clifton, USS Harriet Lane, USS Westfield, USS Owasco, USS Corypheus and USS Sachem. Outnumbered six to two by the Northern ships, the Neptune was severely damaged by the Union Fleet and eventually sank. While the Neptune was quickly disabled, the Bayou City succeeded in capturing the USS Harriet Lane.

During this time, the USS Westfield was grounded on a sandbar. A three-hour truce was called for by Magruder, but Union Fleet Commander William B. Renshaw, ignoring the negotiation offer, attempted to destroy the grounded Westfield with explosives rather than let it fall into enemy hands.

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