Palmito Ranch Battlefield, Historic site in Cameron County, United States.
Palmito Ranch Battlefield sits along the Rio Grande riverbanks in a landscape of grasslands and shallow marshes that have remained largely unchanged since the Civil War era. The terrain is flat and open, making it easy to understand how troops moved and positioned themselves during the fighting.
The last land battle of the Civil War took place here on May 12-13, 1865, weeks after the Confederate surrender at Appomattox. Despite that surrender, Confederate forces pushed back Union troops in a final victory that happened long after most fighting had ended.
This site honors soldiers from both armies who fought in the final military clash of the Civil War. Visitors can learn about their stories through markers and displays that acknowledge the sacrifice of those who participated in this forgotten engagement.
Visitors can reach the site at the intersection of Palmito Hill Road and Boca Chica Highway east of Brownsville. The ground is flat and accessible, though there is little shade, so bring water and sun protection when exploring the area.
This battlefield saw a rare occurrence: a Confederate victory weeks after the war officially ended and most soldiers had already laid down their weapons. It stands as an unexpected final chapter at a moment when fighting had ceased almost everywhere else.
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