The Last Battle of the Civil War: Palmetto Ranch

Clifton and Shirley Caldwell Texas Heritage

by Jeffrey Wm Hunt

More than two months after Robert E. Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia on April 9, 1865, the New York Times reported a most surprising piece of news. On May 12-13, the last battle of the Civil War had been fought at the southernmost tip of Texas—resulting in a Confederate victory. Although Palmetto Ranch did nothing to change the war's outcome, it added the final irony to a conflict replete with ironies, unexpected successes, and lost opportunities. For these reasons, it has become both one of the most forgotten and most mythologized battles of the Civil War. In this book, Jeffrey Hunt draws on previously unstudied letters and court martial records to offer a full and accurate account of the battle of Palmetto Ranch. As he recreates the events of the fighting that pitted the United States' 62nd Colored Troops and the 34th Indiana Veteran Volunteer Infantry against Texas cavalry and artillery battalions commanded by Colonel John S. "Rip" Ford, Hunt lays to rest many misconceptions about the battle. In particular, he reveals that the Texans were fully aware of events in the East—and still willing to fight for Southern independence. He also demonstrates that, far from fleeing the battle in a panic as some have asserted, the African American troops played a vital role in preventing the Union defeat from becoming a rout.

Genres: Civil War, American Civil War, Military History, Transmississippi, War, History

233 pages, Paperback

First published August 15, 2002

Reviews

[Sean McLachlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

On May 12-13, 1865, a month after the surrender at Appomattox and when the Confederacy had all but disappeared east of the Mississippi, there was a final battle in Texas. Oddly enough, it was a Confederate victory, and the Battle of Palmetto Ranch has become part of the Civil War legend.
There are many incorrect beliefs about this battle, such as that the black Union troops broke and the rebels didn't know General Lee had surrendered. In fact, the 62nd USCT was the only Union unit that didn't break, and Texas newspapers had published details about Lee's surrender more than two weeks before the battle. The author even uncovered a letter from a rebel soldier posted at Palmetto Ranch, dated a few days before the fight, talking about Lee's surrender.
This is typical of the deep and detailed research that went into this book. Hunt studies the principal people involved, how the politics south of the border affected the war along the Rio Grande, and gives us insights into the trials and sufferings of the regular soldier. It also includes clear, detailed maps, something that so many military history books lack.
If you want an interesting, quick read on a famous but still somewhat obscure episode of the Civil War, this book is for you.

[Kirstin Dobson · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better nonfiction type reads I've done. It doesn't hurt that it is about the Civil War though-- a topic I know much about and am very interested in. The storyline is well developed but clear. Almost a mini- Civil War. One thing I didn't like was the glazing over of the black solders or the international tie in with Mexico-- thus the too heavy on Texas piece, but a Texas theme I've sensed in general though.

[Steven Shook · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though not a well-known Civil War battle, Palmetto Ranch was the last and has a rather interesting history that is presented in Jeffrey W. Hunt's The Last Battle of the Civil War: Palmetto Ranch. My interest in reading this book was the 62nd U.S. Colored Troops, which proved to have more robust and reliable soldiers and leadership in this battle. The book is well written and reads quickly. There were some editorial errors throughout the book. For instance Captain Frederic F. B. Coffin, captain of Company K of the 62 U.S. Colored Troops is incorrectly referred to as Frank Coffin twice in the book and captain of Company F. These are pretty fundamental factual errors, which makes me wonder what other facts are incorrect.

[Erik Snell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick easy read about the final battle of the civil war. While I knew of this battle I can’t say I knew much more than what I had picked up from a few displays at the Civil War museum in Fort Worth Texas. This final battle was small in comparison to most civil war battles but this makes it easier for a book to hit the highlights and cover the action easily.the author lays out the players well and does a good job of following the action. This is probably one of those cases of the historical event itself was only so interesting so the book retelling it will only be so interesting to read. In the end while this book may not have been as enjoyable as many other reads I can say it lays out the basics well. If you want to be introduced to the battle of Palmetto Ranch this book is a good place to start.

[Scott Dover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only book that has been written on the Last land battle of the War between the States!

[Stephen Journeay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good story well documented of the men involved in the last battle of the Civil War.