Civil War in New Mexico

Civil War 1861-1865 Main issue was slavery 1860 Election Abraham Lincoln elected President Vowed not to extend slavery to new territories Most Civil War battles fought east of the Mississippi War in the West was fought between the Appalachians and Mississippi

Battles in NM Several key battles in NM NM 1848-61 Conquered by US in 1848 After 1848 most movement was through NM to California gold fields Most important transportation route was the Butterfield Stage Line

Butterfield Stage Line

US Troops Stationed in NM for 3 reasons Protect stage lines Protect Santa Fe Trail Protect settlers from “hostile” Indians Southern states seceded from the Union in 1861

Confederate Invasion Most officers in NM were from the South Left to join the Confederate Army First invasion July 1861 Confederates occupied Messilla

Invasions Goal was to secure a route to California, then Colorado gold fields Second Invasion January 1862 Confederates move up the Rio Grande Union forces were defeated at the Battle of Val Verde in February Confederates march north and take Albuquerque and Santa Fe

Invasions Union forces retreat to Ft. Union By March the Union is reinforced by “volunteers” from Colorado

Battle of Glorietta Pass March 26-28 1862 Union forces manage to defeat the Confederates by burning their supplies By April 1862, Confederates were chased out of NM

The Long Walk Because US troops were fighting Confederates Many tribes in West took opportunity to attack settlers Union forces left in NM after 1862 were given the task of dealing with attacks Result: The Long Walk