Final Civil War land battle was 150 years ago in Texas
BROWNSVILLE, Texas (AP) – It’s common knowledge that the four bloody years of the American Civil War came to an end when Southern Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox – but it’s not true.
The final land battle of the war wasn’t fought until more than a month later, 150 years ago Tuesday and Wednesday, on a wind-swept coastal plain at the southern tip of Texas.
And the Confederates won.
In the battle, Hispanic men fought for the South and black soldiers for the North. Union Pvt. John J. Williams, from the 34th Indiana, is considered by many historians to be the last soldier killed in a war that claimed more than 600,000 soldiers’ lives.
A local historic group is holding an anniversary ceremony there Tuesday.
