Battle on the Bay: The Civil War Struggle for Galveston

by Edward T. Cotham Jr.

The Civil War history of Galveston is one of the last untold stories from America's bloodiest war, despite the fact that Galveston was a focal point of hostilities throughout the conflict. As other Southern ports fell to the Union, Galveston emerged as one of the Confederacy's only lifelines to the outside world. When the war ended in 1865, Galveston was the only major port still in Confederate hands. In this beautifully written narrative history, Ed Cotham draws upon years of archival and on-site research, as well as rare historical photographs, drawings, and maps, to chronicle the Civil War years in Galveston. His story encompasses all the military engagements that took place in the city and on Galveston Bay, including the dramatic Battle of Galveston, in which Confederate forces retook the city on New Year's Day, 1863. Cotham sets the events in Galveston within the overall conduct of the war, revealing how the city's loss was a great strategic impediment to the North. Through his pages pass major figures of the era, as well as ordinary soldiers, sailors, and citizens of Galveston, whose courage in the face of privation and danger adds an inspiring dimension to the story.

Genres: Civil War, History

241 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked it better than Cartwright's chapter on the battle in his history of Galveston. One flaw is that this is really complete history of Civil War in Galveston, not just the battle. Would have liked it more if more "core" of the book was about specifics of the battle. But still good, and interesting to read AFTER being at those locations, the wharves in Galveston and Pelican Island where the sub was I went to go and see with Curren.

[Mark Saha · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're from the Galveston-Houston area, this book is a must read. Many of the landmarks that played a key role in the Union struggle to seize this key Confederate port still exist. A lot of people live among them every day with no idea of what once happened there.

[Stephen Journeay · Rating 4 out of 5]

January 2017. My first book of the new year. An interesting and well told story of the four years focused on the military personalities and actions.