On 10 November 1863, the 33rd Illinois was ordered to New Orleans where it embarked for the Texas coast two days later. The expedition's goals were to raise the national flag in Texas, to cut off the cotton trade with Mexico, to damage the Texas economy, and to serve warning to the French occupation force in Mexico. On 22 November, the regiment landed on St. Joseph's Island with every soldier carrying three days of rations and 80 rounds of ammunition. The Union forces marched north on St. Joseph's Island and crossed to Matagorda Island. Fort Esperanza guarded the Pass Cavallo inlet. In the Battle of Fort Esperanza, the fort was abandoned by its Confederate garrison on 29–30 November. One soldier claimed that the flag of the 33rd Illinois was the first to fly over the abandoned fort. Its capture gave the Union control of Matagorda Bay. First Lieutenant George H. Fifer was mortally wounded in the fighting and died 26 December 1863. The 33rd Illinois performed garrison duty at Indianola and Lavaca until March 1864. During this period, the regiment was part of Brigadier General Fitz Henry Warren's brigade.