The action off Galveston Light was a short naval battle fought during the American Civil War in January 1863. Confederate raider CSS Alabama encountered and sank the United States Navy steamer USS Hatteras off Galveston Lighthouse in Texas.
CSS Alabama was a screw sloop-of-war built in 1862 for the Confederate States Navy at Birkenhead on the River Mersey opposite Liverpool, England by John Laird Sons and Company. Alabama served as a successful commerce raider, attacking Union merchant and naval ships over the course of her two-year career, during which she never docked at a Southern port. She was sunk in June 1864 by USS Kearsarge at the Battle of Cherbourg outside the port of Cherbourg, France.

1863Jan, 11
American Civil War: CSS Alabama encounters and sinks the USS Hatteras off Galveston Lighthouse in Texas.
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Events on 1863
- 20Jun
West Virginia
American Civil War: West Virginia is admitted as the 35th U.S. state. - 3Jul
Battle of Gettysburg
American Civil War: The final day of the Battle of Gettysburg culminates with Pickett's Charge. - 4Jul
Battle of Gettysburg
American Civil War: The Army of Northern Virginia withdraws from the battlefield after losing the Battle of Gettysburg, signalling an end to the Southern invasion of the North. - 9Sep
Union Army
American Civil War: The Union Army enters Chattanooga, Tennessee. - 3Oct
Abraham Lincoln
The last Thursday in November is declared as Thanksgiving Day by United States President Abraham Lincoln as are Thursdays, November 30, 1865 and November 29, 1866.