The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 67, July 1963 - April, 1964 Page: 40
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Southwestern Historical Quarterly
ultimate objectives. Before the Federal army under Franklin
reached Opelousas on October 21, however, Banks realized that
a Soo-mile supply line over almost impassable roads was wholly
impracticable. This was especially true with the Confederate cav-
alry under General Tom Green daily opposing the head of his
column and Taylor and his infantry ready to attack his flanks
and rear. Banks accordingly abandoned his second plan to invade
Texas."'
An invasion into northeast Texas by way of Alexandria and
Shreveport at this time was ruled out, because in the fall of the
year the Red River would be extremely low and unnavigable
beyond Alexandria. But Banks had another possible entrance
into Texas. This was at the mouth of the Rio Grande which
was weakly defended by a small Confederate force of i,2oo
men under Brigadier General Hamilton P. Bee at Browns-
ville. This objective had the further advantage of being directly
across the river from Mexico. In addition, the capture of Browns-
ville would break up the extensive exportation of Confederate cot-
ton through Matamoros and the importation of arms and supplies.
Accordingly, a landing was effected with 7,000 troops at Brazos
de Santiago on November 2, 1863, under the personal command of
Banks, and Brownsville was captured four days later." By the
middle of December, all of the strategic points along the Texas
coast from the Rio Grande as far east as the Matagorda peninsula
were occupied by the Federals. As 1863 closed, the Texas troops in
Louisiana were being hurried back to Texas to hold the Federals
west of the San Bernard River and to protect Velasco and Gal-
veston from the new threat.
The Battle of Fordoche was not the last combat service for Cap-
tain O'Brien. Four companies of Spaight's Battalion, including
Captain O'Brien's Company E, and three companies of Griffin's
21st Infantry Battalion with Creuzbaur's Battery under the com-
mand of Lieutenant Colonel William H. Griffin, surprised and
captured two Federal gunboats, Granite City and Wave, in a spir-
ited engagement at Calcasieu Pass, Louisiana, on May 6, 1864.
This successful action, coming as it did after the defeat of Gen-
"Report of Major General Nathaniel P. Banks to Secretary of War E. M. Stan-
ton, April 6, 1865, ibid., 5, 18.
8olbid., 20.
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 67, July 1963 - April, 1964, periodical, 1964; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101197/m1/60/?q=%221777%22: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Texas State Historical Association.