Port Lavaca in Calhoun County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Naval Shelling of Lavaca

Civil War - Bombardment

Photographed By Chris Kneupper

1. Naval Shelling of Lavaca Marker

Inscription.

Artillery batteries in Lavaca returned fired on two Union gunships that fired first on the small town October 31, 1862. Accurate fire from the shore batteries forced the gunboats, Clifton and Westfield, to move outside the range of the smaller shore guns before resuming fire. The gunboats fired again on Lavaca the morning of November 1. A total of 252 rounds were fired into the town but caused no loss of life

“…nobly did both officers and men perform their duty, working their guns as coolly as though on inspection, while a perfect storm of shot and shell rained around them. And this, although yellow fever had decimated their ranks…”
Lt. and Adjutant George E. Conklin

Caption: Bombardment of Port Velaca, Texas Oct. 31st and Nov. 1st, 1862. Courtesy of Special Collections & Archives Department, Nimitz Library, U.S. Naval Academy.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is October 31, 1862.

Location. 28° 37.093′ N, 96° 37.252′ W. Marker is in Port Lavaca, Texas, in Calhoun County. Marker can be reached from Commerce Street east of Main Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Port Lavaca TX 77979, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Civil War Bombardment of Port Lavaca (here, next to this marker); Civil War Torpedo Works

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(here, next to this marker); Beach Hotel (approx. ¼ mile away); Wood Barrels of Cement (approx. 0.3 miles away); Grace Episcopal Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Ranger Cemetery (approx. 0.4 miles away); Alsatian Immigration through Lavaca Bay (approx. 0.4 miles away); San Antonio & Mexican Gulf Railroad (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Lavaca.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Naval Shelling of Lavaca Marker Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Chris Kneupper

2. Naval Shelling of Lavaca Marker Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 22, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 22, 2021, by Chris Kneupper of Brazoria, Texas. This page has been viewed 169 times since then and 21 times this year. Last updated on May 22, 2021, by Chris Kneupper of Brazoria, Texas. Photos: 1. submitted on May 22, 2021, by Chris Kneupper of Brazoria, Texas. 2. submitted on May 2, 2021, by Chris Kneupper of Brazoria, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.