Texan Edge
The Texan Edge is more than a podcast — it’s a Texas state of mind.
Hosted by Tweed Scott, author of Texas in Her Own Words, each weekday brings a short burst of inspiration, common sense, and straight talk from the Lone Star perspective. Some days we’ll visit a slice of Texas history; other days, we’ll share a story or reflection to help you face the day with grit, gratitude, and grace.
Whether you were born here, got here as fast as you could, or just wish you had — The Texan Edge reminds you why the Texas spirit still matters. It’s where optimism wears boots, humor has manners, and pride runs as deep as the oil wells.
Pull up a chair, friend. Take a listen.
On Wednesdays and Fridays, we focus on a Texas historical event to showcase our daily nugget. Ultimately, it's a Texas thing!
My why with The Texan Edge is to share the spirit of Texas—the humor, grit, wisdom, and warmth I’ve lived and loved here—with people everywhere. I want to remind folks each day that they carry the strength to face life with courage, perspective, and a smile. This podcast is my way of giving back the inspiration Texas has given me, one daily nugget at a time.
Because here at The Texan Edge, we don’t just talk Texas — we live it.
The Texan Edge is "Not just a podcast, but a Texas state of mind.”
Texan Edge
Winning a War You Already Lost (Only in Texas)
Description:
In this episode of The Texan Edge, Tweed Scott takes us down to the Rio Grande near Brownsville to revisit a little-known chapter of history—the last battle of the American Civil War. Weeks after Lee’s surrender at Appomattox, Confederate and Union forces clashed one final time at Palmito Ranch, unaware the war had already ended. Tweed shares how that forgotten fight in South Texas offers a lesson for modern life: sometimes the hardest thing we can do isn’t fighting—it’s knowing when to lay our weapons down. With his trademark warmth and wit, Tweed reminds us that true strength often shows up in the quiet courage of peace.
Show Notes:
- Location: Palmito Ranch, near Brownsville, Texas
- Date: May 12–13, 1865 — weeks after the Civil War officially ended
- Key Figures:
- Confederate Colonel John “Rip” Ford
- Union Colonel Theodore Barrett
- Historical Irony: The Confederates technically won the last battle of a war they had already lost.
- Takeaway: Some battles—especially the emotional ones—don’t end when the gunfire stops. Knowing when to make peace is a sign of true courage.
- Closing Thought: Even after the storms of conflict, Texas stands tall—strong, resilient, and proud.
This isn't just a podcast, it's a Texas state of mind.
Hello again. I'm Tweed Scott with the Texan Edge, where we dig into the heart and history of Texas. Now here's one for you. The last battle of the American Civil War wasn't in Virginia or Georgia. Nope, it happened right here in Texas, at a lonely stretch near Brownsville called Palmita Ranch. It was May 1865, weeks after Lee had surrendered at Appomattox. Word traveled pretty slow back then and even slower to the far corners of Texas. So down near the Rio Grande, Confederate Colonel John Rip Ford and Union Colonel Theodore Barrett ended up squaring off in what was, quite literally, a war that should have been over. Barrett led a few hundred Union soldiers to capture Brownsville, but Ford's men, mostly Texans and Mexican volunteers, weren't about to surrender their home turf. They outflanked the Union soldiers who eventually retreated across the river. Ironically, the Confederates won the last battle of the war that they'd already lost. Now that little story reminds me of something we all need to hear. Just because the fight's over doesn't mean that everyone's got the message. Some battles, the emotional kind, the personal kind, hang on long after the official surrender. The key is learning when to lay your weapons down, because the peace takes more courage than conflict ever will. Ford and Barrett eventually shook hands and walked away, knowing that history would soon bury their little old fight in the dust of South Texas. But I'd like to think they both understood something bigger that day that every battle's got to end somewhere. This is the Texan Edge reminding you even in the quiet after the storm, Texas always finds a way to stand tall. Enjoy your weekend, and I'll see you Monday. Remember, the Texan Edge isn't just a podcast, it's a Texas state of mind.