Civil War in the Trans-Mississippi Theater: 1863-1865

This course explores the Trans-Mississippi Department, which encompassed the Confederate states of Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, and western Louisiana, along with the Indian Territory (modern-day Oklahoma). After the Union gained control of the Mississippi River in 1863, this region became isolated from the rest of the Confederacy, creating unique military and political changes. As the Confederacy collapsed east of the river, Trans-Mississippi forces continued to fight, ultimately engaging in the final battle of the Civil War at Palmito Ranch in Texas on May 12-13, 1865, weeks after General Robert E. Lee’s surrender. Join us as we examine the overlooked campaigns, leadership, and legacy of this isolated Confederate frontier and its significance in ending the war.