Battle of Galveston

Battle of Galveston
Part of the Trans-Mississippi Theater of the
American Civil War

CS Bayou City captures USS Harriet Lane during the Battle of Galveston
DateJanuary 1, 1863 (1863-01-01)
Location
Result Confederate victory
Belligerents
United States United States (Union) Confederate States of America Confederate States (Confederacy)
Commanders and leaders
Isaac S. Burrell
William B. Renshaw 
John B. Magruder
Leon Smith
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. 420 captured
1 gunboat captured
1 gunboat destroyed
26 killed, 117 wounded
Map of Galveston Battlefield core and study areas by the American Battlefield Protection Program.

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.