© 2024 Texas Public Radio
Real. Reliable. Texas Public Radio.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
00000174-b11b-ddc3-a1fc-bfdbb1a20000The Schreiner University Department of History is honoring the sesquicentennial of the American Civil War with a series of short vignettes focusing on events from 1861 through 1865. The Civil War was the most destructive conflict in American history, but it was also one of our most defining moments as a people and as a nation. Let us know what you think about "This Week in the Civil War." E-mail your comments to Dr. John Huddleston at jhuddles@schreiner.edu.Airs: Weekdays at 5:19 a.m., 8:19 a.m., 4:19 p.m. on KTXI and 4:49 a.m., 9:29 p.m. on KSTX.

This Week in the Civil War - 632

On Monday, August 10, 1863 at Galveston, Texas several Confederate regiments commanded by General John Magruder began a three day mutiny, citing spoiled and weevil infested cornmeal, excessive drilling, the extreme summer heat, and a lack of furloughs as reasons for their actions. 

These Confederates refused to drill or release their units’ heavy weapons until assurances were made to improve both their work conditions and quality of their food.  The troops were not the only disenchanted at Galveston. 

To strengthen Galveston Bay against future Union attack Magruder employed slaves, forcibly impressed from their owners, to build fortifications at Sabine Pass; sixty-two slaves died from being overworked.  Their aggrieved owners would receive not a penny of compensation.  Magruder, who had pushed the Union forces out of Galveston, was becoming an unpopular figure.