Palmito Ranch, the Last Significant Land Battle of the Civil War

Posted by: Jonathan R. Allen

May 13, 1865

On May 13, 1865 at a place called Palmito Ranch (also called Palmito Hill or Palmetto Ranch, and possibly other variations) near the Rio Grande River in Texas, there is a skirmish between Confederate and Union troops. This skirmish is recognized as the last military action of the Civil War.

Palmito Ranch was a Confederate victory, but it had no effect on the outcome of the Civil War.

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Civil War History @civilwarhistory ·

2 Nov

After a great duel of ironclad monsters at the Battle of the Ironclads in March 1862 at Hampton Roads, neither the Monitor or the Virginia sank or disabled the other, and each steamed away from Hampton Roads.

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1 Nov

At the Battle of the Ironclads in March 1862 at Hampton Roads, the Union ironclad Monitor’s orders were to protect the wooden Minnesota. It remained to fulfill its duty but did not chase after the departing ironclad Virginia.

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31 Oct

At Hampton Roads in March 1862, the Monitor had a different commander to replace its wounded one and it was ready for more battle, but it found the ironclad Virginia sailing away.

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30 Oct

Eventually on March 9, 1862, at Hampton Roads during the Battle of the Ironclads the tide was falling and the ironclad Virginia was losing maneuverability. The Virginia did not have time to finish off the wooden Minnesota, it began its way back to Norfolk.

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29 Oct

During the Battle of the Ironclads in March 1862, The Union ironclad Monitor’s wounded commander had to back off and regroup. The ironclad Virginia’s crew mistook the Monitor’s movement as a retreat and believed it had won the day.

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28 Oct

During the Battle of the Ironclads in March 1862, The Union Monitor’s commander was temporarily blinded and the ironclad had to back off and regroup. The Virginia’s crew mistook the Monitor’s movement as a retreat and believed it had won the day.

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27 Oct

My newest book: 305 Civil War Words and Terms is now available in both paperback and eBook forms. Learn Civil War History From Words and Terms Used In Civil War Times.

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27 Oct

On March 9, 1862, at Hampton Roads the Union ironclad Monitor and the CSA ironclad Virginia settled into a duel. The Monitor’s commander was temporarily blinded when the Union ironclad's pilothouse was hit.

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26 Oct

On March 9, 1862, at Hampton Roads the Union ironclad Monitor and the CSA ironclad Virginia settled into a duel at close range. Eventually, the Virginia hit the Monitor’s pilothouse, an exposed and crucial part of the ironclad.

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Civil War History @civilwarhistory ·

25 Oct

On March 9, 1862, at Hampton Roads the Union ironclad Monitor and the CSA ironclad Virginia settled into a duel at close range. They were so close that the Virginia rammed into the Monitor. Each ironclad hammered away with cannon fire at the other in a four-hour battle.

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Grand Tactician

Game creator Grand Tactician has teamed up with LearnCivilWarHistory.com blogmaster, @CivilWarHistory Tweeter, and author/editor of 501 Civil War Quotes and Notes, Jonathan R. Allen, to help with their upcoming game Grand Tactician: The Civil War (1861-1865).

From Grand Tactician:

"Mr.Allen's most accurate notes allows all players to learn Civil War history from the spoken words and writings of the military commanders, political leaders, the Billy Yanks and Johnny Rebs who fought in the battles."

"In Grand Tactician: The Civil War (1861-1865) we want to tell the story of the War. What better way than letting those who saw the War tell it in their own words? We're excited to announce that 501 Civil War Quotes and Notes by @CivilWarHistory will be featured in the game!"

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Grand Tactician: The Civil War (1861-1865)