1. Battle of Glorieta Maps New Mexico History

3. Battle Map 1 According to the map, Glorieta Pass was a strategic location, situated at the southern tip of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, southeast of Santa Fe, and on the Santa Fe Trail. Why did this location benefit the Union?

4. Battle Map 1 In March 1862, a Confederate force of 200-300 Texans under the command of Maj. Charles L. Pyron encamped at Johnson’s Ranch, at one end of the pass. Union Maj. John M. Chivington led more than 400 soldiers to the Pass and on the morning of March 26 moved out to attack. How did the Union anticipate the Confederate seige?

5. Battle Map 1 The fighting then ended as Slough retired first to Pigeon’s Ranch and then to Kozlowski’s Ranch. Scurry soon left the field also, thinking he had won the battle. Chivington’s men, how-ever, had destroyed all Scurry’s supplies and animals at Johnson’s Ranch, forcing him to retreat to Santa Fe, the first step on the long road back to San Antonio, Texas. Why was it necessary for the Union to detroy the supplies of the Rebels?

7. Battle Map 2 The battle took place along the Santa fe Trail between Santa fe and Las Vegas, NM. At the time these were two of the biggest cities and in New Mexico and in the west. What role and what advantages did both forces have because it was located at this spot?

8. Battle Map 2 Around the battle field there were a lot of open space and large ranches. For the element of surprise and possible retreat how did the geography of Gloreita play a part in the battle?

9. Battle Map 2 The civil war was fought mostly by hand to hand combat and this battle was no different and only took a few days to complete. How did the technology and maps at the time benefit the union in their victory?

11. Battle Map 3 Today major roads and highways pass through the Glorieta battle site and is sheilded to the north by the Sangre de Cristo mountians. If the Confederates won this battle, what might have been their next move, north to Colorado or west to Arizona and California?

12. Battle Map 3 With the Confederates in control of New Mexico at the beginning of this battle, what was the advantage for the Confederates to keep attaining Forts in New Mexico rather than moving on?

13. Battle Map 3 The Union were faced with the decision to stand their ground and Fort Union and wait for the Rebels to attack or move south and cut off the Rebels as they entered. The Union was proactive and went south surprising the rebels and winning the battle. What might have happened if the Union stayed put at their Fort and not moved in on the Rebels?

14. Battle Maps Conclusion From the maps shown, how were the Union able to win? What mistakes did the Confederates make in the battle? What was the reasoning behind the Rebels not sending more troops to the area?