I'm writing a research paper for my senior seminar based on historians that argue which battle was the last battle of the Civil War. I was hoping to get Reddit's opinion on the matter.
You could also make the argument that it took place here in Alaska as the CSS Shenandoah captured and burned several American whaling ships in the Bering Strait as late as late June. Its captain only confirmed the Confederate surrender on Aug. 2, 1865.
It would depend on if you're talking about the last significant land battle or last battle period. The Battle of Palmito Ranch was the last land battle. The battle outside of Columbus was the last important land battle that had some significance to ending the war. Palmito Ranch wasn't really anything more than a small skirmish in an area of no influence. The reason why it's remembered is because it was the last land battle of the Civil War.