January 2, 1864 – General Banks Aims For Galveston-Again

This day 150 years ago in Rebel Raiders’ History

-Dedicated to Civil War episodes, battles, people and ships that also appear in my game, GMT’s Rebel Raiders on the High Seas.

January 2, 1864 – General Banks Aims For Galveston-Again

Historical Event:  Galveston was the most important port in Texas, and the only port ever regained by the Confederates after its initial capture by the Union.  In December 1863 General Nathaniel Banks decided to try and get it back, and launched a campaign on the Texas coast.  His combined army-navy task force managed to Fort Esperanza at the entrance to Matagorda Bay on December 30,  and then proceeded to occupy other key positions controlling the inlets and passes from the Sabine River to the Rio Grande.  On January 2 Banks began his march toward Galveston – but never quite got there, as he was recalled by General Henry Halleck with orders to instead prepare for a major offensive up the Red River in the spring.

Game Connection:   Galveston is a key port for the Confederates in Rebel Raiders on the High Seas, just as it was during the Civil War.  It is made even more valuable if the Maximillian Card (CSN Card 61) is in play, as that card not only places a blockade runner free of charge in nearby Vera Cruz during each Confederate turn in which the card remains in play but also provides a die roll modifier for the Confederate Supply roll for Galveston and each of three other ports in the west that are in Rebel hands.  Taking Galveston not only cuts off all of those benefits, it also counts as a city toward victory for the North and means there is one less port for the Union Navy to guard in the Western Gulf.

The fated expedition up the Red River is also represented in the game through play of Confederate Card 76 (Red River Fiasco) which requires the Union to remove pieces from the map, place them on the card and roll for their possible destruction.