Maj. Gen. Cadwallader C. Washburn led two brigades from the Union XIII Corps to capture a fort on Matagorda Island defended by Colonel William R. Bradfute and a small Confederate garrison.

[4] Bad weather limited activity on November 28 to minor skirmishing and occasional artillery fire which produced no results for either side.

Shortly after midnight on November 30 Bradfute’s men detonated the fort’s magazines, spiked the cannon and withdrew.

Two Indiana regiments were ordered to pursue the retreating garrison but managed only to capture an artillery piece used to guard the crossing point.

Though much of the artillery and ammunition was destroyed, Washburn's expedition succeeded in capturing the fort and found much needed supplies left behind.