Well, the war was not over (officially) although Gen. Lee hadsurrendered his forces a few weeks before. A state of war stillexisted between Union and Confederate Forces in Texas, althoughboth sides had pretty much agreed to a truce. The reason for thebattle is still a mystery- Union forces were ordered by theircommander to attack the Confederates One stated belief is that theUnion commander was looking for "glory in combat" before the warcame to an end. A sad battle that served no purpose, and resultedin deaths and injuries to soldiers on both sides.