Why did palmito ranch occur after the civil war was over?

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