New Mexico During the Civil War
The New Mexico Territory included the present-day states of New Mexico and Arizona and a small part of Nevada. The territory was far from the war's front lines. Most of the fighting was taking place in the Southern states that had left the Union. The territory was frontier, mostly wild and sparsely populated. There were no major cities in New Mexico and the villages were small and remote. But both Confederate and Union governments claimed ownership of the territory.
During the Civil War the Confederate Army invaded New Mexico territory for a few reasons. First and foremost, they wanted to expand westward. Expanding westward would give them access to the Santa Fe Trail. The trail was a major transportation and trade route. They also wanted control of gold mines in Colorado and California. The plan was to send troops from Texas to Santa Fe. Troops would capture Santa Fe then move onto Fort Union for supplies. If all went well, they would capture Colorado then move onto California.
Sibley's New Mexico Campaign and the Battle of Valverde
To expand westward, the Confederate government knew they needed to begin by reinforcing the Confederate Arizona Territory. Confederate sympathies were strong here. Southern New Mexicans felt neglected by the Union government and appealed to the rebels for help. Confederate General Henry H. Sibley responded by leading a campaign to capture Santa Fe and Albuquerque. The Confederate Arizona Territory was formed as a result of his victory in the Battle of Valverde in 1862. It was the first major Civil War battle to take place this far west.
Union War Efforts
Union war efforts in New Mexico territory began early in the fall of 1861. The territory's governor at the time was Henry Connelly. He called for Union Army volunteers. In five months, 4,000 volunteers came forward. They were organized into regiments at Fort Union. The fort was located north of Watrous, in today's Mora County, New Mexico. There they received uniforins, weapons, and basic military training.
Volunteers faced disadvantages from the very beginning. The army assembled at Fort Union didn't appear to stand a chance. Most of the men were poor and unable to read. Many spoke only Spanish. Hardly any had military experience. They also faced discrimination by military leaders. The military issued weapons to the troops that were old and outdated. Many soldiers were forced to carry twenty-five-year-old rifles. The rifles were time consuming to load and frequently misfired.
Fortunately New Mexico's regiments had a few advantages over Confederate troops. New Mexico's rugged landscape had made the men tough and smart. It gave them a home field advantage. They were familiar with the territory's dangerous terrain and wildlife. Confederates were not and suffered for it. This advantage became evident in the Battle of Glorieta Pass.
The Battle of Glorieta Pass and the End of Confederate Rule
The Battle of Glorieta Pass in March 1862 was a turning point in the Civil War in New Mexico. Union troops led by Colonel John P. Slough succeeded in defeating the Confederate Army and destroying their supply train. This strategic victory prevented the Confederates from advancing further west and cut off their supply line. The Union troops were able to halt the Confederate advance and force them to retreat back to Texas.
After the Battle of Glorieta Pass, the Confederate hold on New Mexico Territory began to weaken. Union troops continued to fight off Confederate attempts to regain control of the territory. By the end of 1862, the Confederate presence in New Mexico had been effectively eliminated. The Union Army had successfully defended the territory and maintained control over it for the remainder of the war.
The Civil War in New Mexico had lasting effects on the territory. The war brought an end to Confederate rule and solidified New Mexico's loyalty to the Union. It also highlighted the importance of the territory's strategic location and resources. The war brought changes to the territory's economy, society, and political landscape. Overall, the Civil War in New Mexico played a significant role in shaping the future of the territory as part of the United States.