What Side Was Texas on in the Civil War?
Contents
Dissolution and Secession
On January 19, 1861, Texas made the historic decision to withdraw from the United States, becoming the 11th state to secede. This followed a series of events, including the election of Abraham Lincoln as President and the failed Constitutional Convention at Montgomery, Alabama. Southerners believed that a Republican-led federal government aimed to impose their values, culture, and economic institutions on the more conservative states.
Declaration of Secession
Texas issued its official declaration of secession from the United States on February 23, 1861. The instrument of secession was submitted to a state convention vote, and a majority voted in favor. After the Confederacy was formally established in March 1861, Texas representatives attended the provisional Confederate Government’s inaugural session in Montgomery, Alabama.
Key Facts About Texas during the Civil War:
• February 25, 1861: Texas ratifies the Alabama-Mississippi-Tennessee (A.M.T) agreement, formalizing a plan for states to convene and potentially form the Confederate States of America
• April 20, 1861: Congress passes a law allowing U.S. soldiers to operate in the Western territories if necessary to "supplant the military force of [the seceding] states"
• August 22, 1862: Jefferson Davis, in a special session of Congress, submits the Emancipation Proclamation to consideration, only for it to be defeated 45 votes to 25
• June 18-19, 1864: General Philip Sheridan forces the withdrawal of Confederate soldiers from Indian Territory, Oklahoma following the Battle of Cabin Creek, Oklahoma
• 1865: Sherman’s March Through Georgia and the Carolinas forced the retreat of Confederate Forces from East Tennessee and points east
Rise and Fall of Confederacy
As a new nation-state, the Confederate States of America aimed to establish control over its vast territories, as well as fight against federal forces and potential foreign alliances. The first year (1861-1862) of the war marked a period of relative confidence and victories, including major battles such as Stones River and Shiloh.
However, the Confederacy’s initial successes did not last for long. As the Federal government introduced stricter blockade regulations, the south’s economic strength began to wane, and trade became increasingly scarce. To counter these problems, Robert E. Lee’s Battle of Gettysburg, in the summer of 1863, failed, marking a turning point in favor of the Federals.
By 1865, it was clear to many Confederate soldiers and authorities that the conflict was reaching its climax, and despite fearful estimates of total Federal casualties being as high as 5 million**, the nation’s hope to maintain state sovereignty lay fading.
Key Military Encounters Involved Texas Soldiers:
• April 1-5, 1862: Battle of Shiloh, Mississippi sees General Albert Johnston’s Confederates clash with Union forces; 1500 Texan soldiers contributed to this Union victory, which took approximately 21,000 lives
• May 6-June 26, 1863: Federal Campaign to drive Confederacy from Middle Tennessee by General Ulysses S. Grant (later as General-in-Chief under President Abraham Lincoln) proves successful in taking control; 300-400 wounded Texas troops fought alongside with other units against the opposing forces
Reunion and Restoration
It was a grim reality the Confederacy realized that federal forces faced strong opposition but managed to steadily gain the upper hand after the. By July 1864, after the failure to secure sufficient foreign allies or any significant economic resources, General Grant, in consultation with the Navy, aimed to push the military campaign from the *Battle of Petersburg until the spring of 1865.
May 26th, Lee’s troops made their *Last Grand Stand At Appomattox when faced with impending defeat, after which Major General George McClellan issued terms for Southern surrender on March 5, 1865). Robert E. Lee’s decision marked the decisive end to the.
