It was a successful effort on behalf of the Union Army to disrupt Confederate blockade runners along the Gulf Coast in Texas.

[1] The Union assault precipitated the capture of Matamoros by a force of Mexican patriots, led by exiled officers living in Brownsville.

Initially cotton was transported to Brazos Santiago Pass at the delta of the Rio Grande and exported from Port Isabel.

[3] The U.S. government was also anxious to show Union presence along the Mexican border since the French army had just invaded Mexico and installed Maximillian as emperor.

Following the Union debacle at the second Battle of Sabine Pass, the U.S. government demanded General Nathaniel P. Banks, commanding the Department of the Gulf, to make another attempt at invading Texas.

[9] The Confederates' destruction spread into the city while the soldiers resorted to looting prompting the local citizens into a degree of opposition.

General Cobos received permission from the civilian authorities in Brownsville to organize a force to resist the looters and subdue the fires started by the Confederate evacuation.

Brownsville provided a base for further Union operations against Mustang Island and Fort Esperanza up the Texas coast.

Col William M. Dye Maj Gen John B. Magruder 1st Division - Brigadier General Hamilton P. Bee