U. S. Civil War Debt 4

The attack of the Confederate lancers from the 5th Texas Cavalry Regiment at the Battle of Valverde Ford.

It was February 21, 1862 when NM Volunteers and Colorado Infantry clashed with the Confederate Army in the Battle of Valverde, each with equal forces. The Rebels won the fight, but the loss of men was nearly the same. Still short of provisions the Rebels pushed on. On March 10 Sibley’s men reached Santa Fe and raised their flag. Hostile citizens met them and Sibley soon chose to press on toward Fort Union.

Denver’s Fort Wise officers prepared to support New Mexico as soon as February when the size of the Rebel army was reported. Nearly 1400 men marched 400 miles from Denver to Fort Union and arrived there in 13 days. Only one or two companies were mounted and they took the Confederates by surprise in two battles just north of Santa Fe at Apache and Glorieta Passes. Supported by the Colorado troops under Colonel John Slough and Major John Chivington, the Confederates were sufficiently dispersed to meet defeat. A Confederate supply train was cut off and burned, leaving the Rebel forces nearly helpless.
   
Although the Union officers were at odds over reports of the killed and wounded, two years later the Albuquerque newspaper attributed to Major Chivington and his detachment the ultimate victory.