Essays

The Civil War in New Mexico
A Research Paper by Marla Gonzales

The Civil War, or the war between the states, developed because of the slaves and states’ rights. Because of these rights a wide split developed between the northern and southern states. There were many differences between the states. The northern states turned to manufacturing instead of farming; therefore, they felt that it was wrong for one human being to own another. A law was passed that no more slaves could be brought to the Union. All states fought for or against slavery—even New Mexico.

Situated on the southern end of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of New Mexico, chiseled among red, granite rock, a commemoration portrays the American war between the states. It identifies the Battle of Glorieta Pass or as the Union called it, Pigeon’s Ranch. The elevated canyon is seven miles long, narrow at both ends and about a quarter of a mile wide in the middle. (Martin Hardwick Hall, Sibley’s New Mexico Campaign Austin: University of Texas Press, 1960, p. 132.)

In 1821 when William Becknell with a caravan of pack mules and horses left Missouri to find a trade route to the west, he established the Santa Fe Trail. His travels led him over the path animals and Indians had used for centuries through Glorieta Pass. (Ralph Moody, The Old Trails West New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Company, 1963, p. 186.)

Ironically, the course which linked the East with the West served as a battle- ground for the North and the South. The Pass is located about twenty miles southeast of Santa Fe. The narrow eastern portion was called Apache Canyon with the western part known as Canoncito. “Early Spanish settlers called it La Glorieta because of the beautiful growths of cottonwood and pine trees along the arroyos and up the slopes.”(Ray C. Colton, The Civil War in the Western Territories Norman, University of Oklahoma Press, 1959, p. 49.)

Although neither commanding officer was present, Canoncito portrayed the battle fought on March 28, 1862 between the forces of Brigadier General Henry Hopkins Sibley, Confederate States of America, and his brother-in-law, Colonel Edward R.S. Canby, United Stated Army. The conflict proved to be the turning point of the war in saving the territory for the Union.

Although Major Sibley had a twenty-two year career in the army, he resigned his commission on May 13, 1861 after learning of the South’s secession. A West Point graduate in the class of 1838, Sibley had served in the Mexican War and in various Indian campaigns. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he was serving in New Mexico and was unhappy with his failure to be promoted beyond the rank of major. (Odie B. Faulk, Land of Many Frontiers A History of the American Southwest, New York: Oxford University Press Inc., 1968, p. 192.)

Sibley maintained a good reputation and an excellent career with the exception of his love for liquor which alienated some of his superiors. Three days after resigning, Sibley accepted a commission as a Lieutenant Colonel for the Confederate Army. He traveled to Richmond where he met with President Jefferson Davis on several occasions and convinced him of the importance of conquering the New Mexico Territory. (Faulk, Land of Many Frontiers A History of the American Southwest, New York: Oxford University Press Inc., 1968, p. 192.)

The South dreamed of extending the Confederacy from the Atlantic to the Pacific thus gaining more ports on the California shore. The rich resources of gold and silver of the Southwest offered aid to the South’s treasury, and the large recruiting area for manpower would improve the army numerically. The conquest of a vast territory could enhance the prestige of the Confederates and cause Europe to recognize the government in Richmond. Of major significance, the Confederacy wanted to win a moral victory which the North could not reverse. Texas hoped to expand her border to the Rio Grande as a western boundary. Originally Texas claimed the area but lost it with the Compromise of 1850. (Kerby, The Confederate Invasion of New Mexico and Arizona, Los Angeles: Westernlore Press,1861-1862, p. 27.)

Sibley met with Davis several times in July presenting a proposal of a major military operation in the New Mexico Territory. Eventually, he persuaded Davis to grant him an independent command for a campaign in the Southwest. Sibley’s long service in the Southwest, with his being commander of Fort Union on the Santa Fe Trail, gave him a knowledge of the area. He knew the resources, federal government store, terrain and the condition and disposition of the enemy. Promoted to Brigadier General, Sibley headed for San Antonio where he set up operations and began recruiting. The troopers of the Texas Brigade were typical of Texans in the Confederate Calvary: “They were the best that ever threw a leg over a horse or that had ever sworn allegiance to any cause. All-around men, natural born soldiers, they were under twenty- five with a liberal sprinkling of older men who had seen service on the frontier.” (Ibid p. 57.)

However, they maintained a strong determination not to submit to army discipline. The volunteers furnished their own horses, rifles, and revolvers. With this group of independent troopers, trained as dragoons of mounted infantry, Sibley’s force totaled 3,700 men known as The Army of New Mexico. (Stephen B. Oates, Confederate Calvary West of the River, Austin Texas: University of Texas Press,1961, p. 45.) “They were embarking on one of the most ambitious campaigns of the war, but were totally isolated from the nation they hoped to double in size.” While the brigade moved over the west Texas desert heading for El Paso, scouts observed Indian signs. These indicated the Commanche and Apache nations were massing to attack the Confederates. Warned of the danger, Sibley, who had established friendship with the Indians while serving in the region, left peace signs along the trail. These would prove beneficial on the return trip to San Antonio. When he reached Fort Bliss just north of El Paso in January 1862, Sibley issued a proclamation to the people of the territory promising that the confederate government would protect their civil liberties, abolish Union taxes, and invited officers and men of the Union army to join the Confederates. With military authority established, Sibley headed north to Santa Fe following the Rio Grande River. (Stephen B. Oates, Confederate Calvary West of the River, Austin Texas: University of Texas Press, 1961, p. 21.)

Meanwhile, Colonel Canby, Commander of the Department of New Mexico, found his federal army falling apart with very low morale. Many of his officers had deserted to the Confederacy. With only 2,466 men, Canby prepared to do the impossible on keeping the area for the Union. He issued a call for New Mexican volunteers and exceeded his authority by requesting assistance from the Governor of the Colorado Territory. Realizing that the Confederates must invade by either the Santa Fe Trail or the Rio Grande, he prepared his defenses appropriately. With a plan to protect the heart of New Mexico, he abandoned all the forts except Fort Craig on the Rio Grande and Fort Union which would block the entry from the east. Extensive fortifications were built at both places in preparation for attack. (Beck, New Mexico A History of Four Centuries, Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press, 1962, p. 153.)

On February 21, 1862 Sibley’s troops fought Canby’s army at Valverde a few miles north of Fort Craig. The Union army suffered 306 casualties, which did not count New Mexicans, with Confederate casualties only at 185. The Battle of Valverde opened the way to Albuquerque without any barrier, and the Confederates victoriously headed north. During the course of the conflict, Sibley lost a large number of wagons and mules, leaving only five days of rations. This setback convinced Canby to allow his troops to defeat the Confederates rather than risk open battle with them again, and he took his men back to Fort Craig to recover. Sibley gained possession of Albuquerque and Santa Fe without bloodshed. Only Fort Union, to the east, containing the enemy supplies and stores remained for the Confederates to seize. Presumably, no force in New Mexico was capable of stopping Sibley, and in March he sent a large portion of his army from Santa Fe to take Fort Union. (Faulk, Land of Many Frontiers, New York: Oxford University Press Inc., 1968, p. 193.)

Governor Gilpin of Colorado responded to Canby’s request for help by sending troops. News of the reversal at Valverde prompted the Colorado brigade to make a forced march to strengthen the garrison at Fort Union. Under the command of Colonel John P. Slough, a lawyer, 1,300 men of the First Colorado Infantry marched 172 miles in five days. Resting briefly at Fort Union, they headed west toward Santa Fe. The Colorado troops eagerly searched for the Confederates. (Beck, New Mexico A History of Four Centuries, Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press Inc., 1962, p. 155.)

Serving under Colonel Slough was Major John M. Chivington leading a group of Colorado volunteers called “Pikes Peakers.” He would later supervise the Sand Creek Massacre on Cheyenne men, women, and children. On March 26, 1961 Chivington, in command of an advance guard of 518, came upon a small force of Texans in Apache Canyon, the western part of Glorieta Pass. Chivington, a Methodist minister, knew little about military policies, but his forces defeated the Confederates in a three hour battle in furious fighting. Reports of the casualties vary with confederate casualties between 131 to 223. The total Union casualties were between 21 and 29. (Colton, The Civil War in the Western Territories, Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma of Press, 1959, p. 55- 56.)

Both sides sent word for assistance with expectation of another intense battle. Colonel Slough arrived late in the evening of March 27, 1962 to unite all his forces from Colorado. He established a base camp at Pigeon’s Ranch at the entrance to Glorieta Pass. Meanwhile, Colonel William R. Scurry, leading the Fourth, Fifth, and Seventh Texas Cavalry plus some volunteers, reached Canoncito at the western end of Glorieta Pass. A cease fire agreement had been reached until eight o’clock in the morning of March 28. In order not to hold back the progress of his confederate troops, Scurry left the supply train with a small wagon guard. He maneuvered his 1,100 men about six miles through the pass and established the men and artillery in battle formation across the canyon. They waited for the Union forces. (Ibid., pp. 57-58.)

Engaging the Texans in a full-scale battle was contrary to Canby’s instructions; however, Slough formulated an offensive plan. Using his main force of about 900 men, Slough marched against the Confederates on the Santa Fe Trail, while Chivington with about 430 men took a mountainous path to get behind the Confederates. Since Chivington was unfamiliar with the terrain, Lieutenant Colonel Manuel Chavez served as guide. Chavez, a member of an old, distinguished native family, won honors fighting Indians and served with Canby at the engagement at Valverde. (Hall, Sibley’s New Mexico Campaign, Austin: University of Texas Press, 1960, p. 155.)

The main fighting in Glorieta Pass began between ten and eleven o’clock in the morning and continued for six hours. Colonel Scurry took the Union troops by surprise by having his forces well established. The odds were against the Union. From the beginning of the combat to the end, Slough would have to fight a defensive action. He kept hoping to hold position until Chivington’s men would surprise the enemy from the rear. The fighting proved fierce with both sides using pistols, knives, muskets, and bayonets creating a deadly hand-to-hand combat. The Union forces seemed ineffective against the Texans who advanced from tree to tree and from rock to rock forcing g the Federal troops to retreat. Slough was driven from the Canyon. (Ibid ., pp.145-149.)

Meanwhile, Major Chivington and his men followed the Santa Fe Trail a short distance before leaving the main route. For five hours they marched in a circuitous route south of Glorieta Pass. They struggled over a rugged terrain which took them across rocky ledges, beyond a high mesa, and through a dense growth of pines and cedar bushes. In the early afternoon, they arrived at the crest of the mountain and were overlooking the Confederate encampment at Canoncito about a thousand feet below them. Instead of flanking Colonel Scurry’s rebel forces, Chivington had reached the Confederate supply camp. The Yankee expedition spent an hour observing the camp. (Colton, The Civil War in the Western Territories, Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press, 1959, pp. 69-70.)

Chivington and his men descended the mountain cheering, yelling, and attacking the supply camp. The engagement was quick and decisive. Since they had the advantage of surprise and position, the Union forces picked off the Rebel guards proficiently. The seventy Confederate wagons contained clothing, ammunition, food, medical supplies, and feed for the animals. The Pikes Peakers could not take the supplies with them; therefore, they burned all the wagons. One of the wagons containing ammunition exploded during the blaze and wounded Private Simon Ritter, a Union soldier. He was their only casualty. The Union Soldiers killed three Texans including a clergyman carrying a white flag, wounded several others; and took seventeen prisoners. About five hundred horses and mules stood in a corral near the camp. Since the animals could not be moved over the rugged mountain to the federal camp, all were destroyed by bayonets. Late in the afternoon the Yankee expedition climbed the precipitous slope they had earlier descended. On the way up the mountain a soldier spotted four wagons filled with military supplies hidden behind a mountain beyond the main camp. Four men volunteered to go back to burn them which took about an hour. Upon reaching the summit of the mountain, dusk was approaching, making the mountain trail difficult to follow. After ten o’clock in the evening the weary soldiers who were hungry and thirsty arrived back at the Union encampment. (Colton, The Civil War in the Western Territories, Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press, 1959, p. 69-74.)

Each side claimed a major victory. The defeat of Colonel Slough’s troops turned into a triumph by the fatal blow which Chivington inflicted on the Confederate encampment. The destruction of the wagon train established the decisive action to the New Mexican campaign. The Texans discovered they had won the Battle of Glorieta Pass but lost the victory at their own campsite. Then they returned to their wagons; all necessary equipment for a small army on the march spread demolished before them. When Colonel Scurry learned of the devastation of the supply train, he sent a flag of truce to the Union camp. Only when Chivington’s exhausted troops returned did the Federals understand why Scurry requested a cease-fire. Figures vary in the number of casualties. Confederate losses were over 100. (Hollister, Boldly They Rode, Lakewood, Colorado: The Golden Press, 1949, p. 178.)

One estimate states nearly one-fourth of the Union force were killed, wounded, and missing. “The loss of dead and wounded at Glorieta Pass was proportionately greater than at Gettysburg.” (Hollister, Boldly They Rode, Lakewood, Colorado: The Golden Press, 1949, p. 178.)

The demoralized Texans stayed in Glorieta two days without blankets, shelter, and little food. They retreated on foot during the truce to Santa Fe in search of provisions. Ammunition was low with no more then ten rounds for each man. The Confederates seized all available supplies and equipment in Santa Fe. They forced private citizens to furnish provision and clothing for the destitute army. Rumors spread of Sibley’s drunken state in Santa Fe during the Battle of Glorieta. The Texans in their weakened condition could not resist an attack from the northern army. They began a desperate retreat down the Rio Grande. Morale in the Confederate ranks reached a low ebb. In order to avoid Canby’s Union troops south of Albuquerque, they traveled along the west side of the Sierra Magdalena Mountains and through the dry bed of the Palomas River. The dismal soldiers marched for ten days on seven days of rations. The route took them through a mountainous and difficult country destitute of water. They abandoned everything which would impede their flight including wagons and cannons with ammunition which they buried in the Rio Grande. General Sibley arrived at Fort Bliss in Texas during the first week in May. His fractured army, their ranks reduced by more than 1,700 casualties on the campaign, followed in disarray for fifty miles behind him. (Colton, The Civil War in the Western Territories, Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press, 1959, pp.)

81-92) Colonel Canby restrained his men from attacking the distressed confederates. Except for a brief skirmish at Peralta, the fighting was finished. Some Union soldiers complained about Canby’s tactics thinking he did not destroy the Texas forces because Sibley was his brother-in-law. Canby wanted to drive the Confederates from the region. His goal was to secure New Mexico from any enemy force, not to destroy the enemy. Canby’s troops followed behind the subdued Texans picking up the wounded and stragglers allowing the land to vanquish the enemy. In late April, Canby received word from Washington of his promotion to brigadier general. (Colton, The Civil War in the Western Territories, Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press, 1959, p. 94)

The Confederates aspired to expand their borders, gaining port, resources, men and recognition from foreign powers. The Territory of new Mexico offered a path to gain these objectives. With Sibley leading 3,700 recruits from Texas, they marched from San Antonio to Santa Fe in triumph. On their way to acquire the Union supplies and take Fort Union held by the Federals, they fought a ferocious battle at Glorieta Pass with Union soldiers from Colorado. Colonel Scurry won the battle at Glorieta over Colonel Slough’s Pikes Peakers but lost the victory. Major Chivington’s accidental finding and destroying the supply train of the Confederates caused them to withdraw to Santa Fe. Without reinforcements in supplies and men, Sibley with his demoralized army retreated to Texas over the difficult terrain. They were victorious in every engagement with the enemy but returned defeated. The Confederate forces did not attempt another invasion of the New Mexico Territory. (Beck, New Mexico A History of Four Centuries, Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press, 1962, pp. 157-158.)

The Federal forces in New Mexico received supplies of food and ammunition from the east. Sibley’s forces were inadequate. The poor discipline of the Texans and Sibley’s lack of leadership added to the problems. In the poverty of New Mexico, Sibley could make his occupation permanent only if he received provisions from Texas or captured abundant stores from the Federals. He depleted his command by garrisoning posts along his line of march. His hope to gain the Union supplies, live off the land, and recruit many of the natives to join the Confederacy proved an unrealized ambition. The Confederates met defeat because Canby realized his basic task was to hound the Confederate Army out of New Mexico without endangering his own army by overextending their supplies. The Confederate dream of a new territory and an outlet to the Pacific encountered its end on the Santa Fe Trail. The Battle of Glorieta does not rank among the mahor battles of the Civil War; however, a cause that men sustain to the death became sacred, at least to them. (Hollister, Boldly They Rode, Lakewood, Colorado: The Golden Press, 1949, p. 135.)

The Civil War freed the slaves but it was very tragic in cost of lives lost. All together between North and South about 729 thousand men were lost nationwide. Both the North and South paid an enormous economic price as well. It was especially severe in the South. All soldiers in the South were poorly equipped in food, arms, and clothing. These things contributed for their loss of the war. (Stanley, F., The Civil War in New Mexico, 1960, The World Press Denver, Colorado: pp. 167-169.)

The end results of the battles of Glorieta Pass had a significant effect on the outcome of the Civil War. Towards the end of the war and both sides were hurting financially and had suffered many casualties. The march was a brave action by the Colorado Volunteers to reinforce the Union troops at Glorieta Pass, the Texas volunteers, and the 2500 New Mexico volunteers. This series of events from 1861-1865 was a dramatic period in the history of New Mexico. The Civil War was fought during this Territorial Period and is but a piece of a great puzzle of how the West has evolved and has continued to evolve today.