The Battle of Palmito Ranch, fought on May 12 and 13, 1865, was significant as it marked the final land battle of the American Civil War. It took place in Texas, near Brownsville, between Confederate forces led by Colonel John Salmon Ford and Union forces commanded by Colonel Theodore H. Barrett.
The battle occurred more than a month after General Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House, which effectively ended the Civil War in the east. However, due to the lack of communication and the vast distances, news of the surrender had not yet reached the Confederate forces in the Trans-Mississippi region.
The Battle of Palmito Ranch is significant because it was the last recorded engagement of the war. Although a relatively small battle with around 600 men involved, it demonstrated the continued guerilla-style fighting and resistance in some parts of the Confederacy even after the official end of the conflict.
What was significant about the Battle of Palmito Ranch?
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