Indianola in Calhoun County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
During the Civil War Indianola and Fort Esperanza, which controlled the gateway to Indianola through Pass Cavallo, were objectives of Federal blockading vessels. Pass Cavallo, ten miles south, was one of several entrances to the inside waterway created by Matagorda Peninsula and the offshore islands extending to the Rio Grande. To deny Confederate use of this waterway for commerce through Mexico the Federals had to seize control of these entrances.
Before Confederate defenses at Fort Esperanza were completed, two Federal steamers slipped through Pass Cavallo to Indianola and on October 31, 1862 demanded the surrender of Lavaca (now Port Lavaca) to the northwest. The Confederate command refused, stood off the naval guns with land batteries, and forced the withdrawal of the Federal ships.
Federal forces attacked Fort Esperanza November 22, 1863. The Confederates withstood the assault of naval
Indianola was partially destroyed by a hurricane in 1875 and completely destroyed by another in 1886.
A memorial to Texans who served the Confederacy.
Erected 1963 by State of Texas. (Marker Number 2642.)
Location. 28° 31.668′ N, 96° 30.556′ W. Marker is in Indianola, Texas, in Calhoun County. Marker is on State Highway 316 half a mile south of County Route 2760, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. The monument/historical marker is located on the beach side of State 316. Behind the marker is the prominent granite memorial to Acadian explorer and settler Robert de LaSalle. On the Powderhorn Lake side of 316 opposite the monuments is a picnic pull out. State 316 ends into residential roads less than a mile past. Marker is in this post office area: Port Lavaca TX 77979, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured Rene Robert Cavelier Sieur de la Salle (within shouting distance of this marker); Mrs. Angelina Bell Peyton Eberly (approx. 0.6 miles away); Port Lavaca (approx. 10 miles away); Halfmoon Reef Lighthouse (approx. 10 miles away); Site of the Town of Linnville (approx. 12 miles away).
Regarding Indianola. Indianola was once incorporated. The victim of countless strong Gulf hurricanes the majority of the old sites of Indianola are under the surface of Matagorda Bay. An unincorporated community of seasonal homes and some locals remain.
Additional keywords. CSA, Matagorda Island, David T. Shea, Colonel William R. Bradfute
Categories. • Disasters • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil •
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on June 24, 2011, by Zacharias Beau T of Alpine, Texas. This page has been viewed 881 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 22, 2012, by Gregory Walker of La Grange, Texas. 2. submitted on June 24, 2011, by Zacharias Beau T of Alpine, Texas. 3. submitted on November 22, 2012, by Gregory Walker of La Grange, Texas. 4, 5. submitted on July 5, 2014, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.