when was the battle of valverde

What was the Battle of Valverde in the Civil War?

Battle of Valverde. The Battle of Valverde, or the Battle of Valverde Ford, was fought from February 20 to 21, 1862, near the town of Val Verde at a ford of the Rio Grande in Union held New Mexico Territory, in what is today the state of New Mexico. It was a major Confederate success in the New Mexico Campaign of the American Civil War.

What happened at the Battle of Val Verde in 1862?

Battle of Val Verde. On this day in 1862, at the Battle of Valverde, Confederate troops under General Henry Hopkins Sibley attack Union troops commanded by Colonel Edward R. S. Canby near Fort Craig in New Mexico Territory.

How did Valverde get its name?

^ The region and the town of Valverde was actually named Val Verde (Green Valley) in Spanish. It was subsequently Americanized into Valverde by non-Spanish speakers who wrote the history of the battle. ^ Edrington, Thomas S. and Taylor, John.

What is the history of Valverde New Mexico?

^ The region and the town of Valverde was actually named Val Verde (Green Valley) in Spanish. It was subsequently Americanized into Valverde by non-Spanish speakers who wrote the history of the battle. ^ Edrington, Thomas S. and Taylor, John. The Battle of Glorieta Pass Albuquerque: U of NM Press, 1998, pp.13–17

What happened at the battle of Valverde?

The Union suffered 68 killed, 160 wounded and 35 missing out of 3,100 engaged. The Confederates suffered 31 killed, 154 wounded and 1 missing out of 2,600 troops. It was a bloody but indecisive battle.

Who won the battle of Valverde?

Confederate victoryBattle of ValverdeDateFebruary 20–21, 1862LocationValverde Present-day: Socorro County, New Mexico, New Mexico 33°38′00″N 107°00′41″WResultConfederate victory

Where did the battle of Valverde take place?

New MexicoNew Mexico TerritoryBattle of Valverde/Locations

Who won the battle of Peralta?

Union victoryBattle of PeraltaDate April 14, 1862 Location Peralta, New Mexico Territory; now in Valencia County, New Mexico Result Union victory Destruction of PeraltaBelligerentsUnited StatesConfederate StatesCommanders and leaders6 more rows

Which fort did the Confederates want to capture?

Fort SumterLincoln's immediate call for 75,000 volunteers to suppress the rebellion resulted in an additional four Southern states also declaring their secession and joining the Confederacy....Battle of Fort Sumter.DateApril 12–13, 1861; 160 years agoResultConfederate victory Confederacy captures Fort Sumter Beginning of the American Civil War1 more row

What was New Mexico during the Civil War?

During the Civil War, the New Mexico Territory included New Mexico, Arizona, and the southern tip of Nevada. Arizona became its own territory in 1863 during the war. In 1861, Federal troops went east, which left white civilians unprotected from Indian attacks.

Who commanded Fort Union in the 1850's What were their contributions to Fort Union?

Colonel Edwin V. Sumner established Fort Union several miles north of the junction of the two main branches of the Santa Fe Trail, on a tributary of the Mora river, in July, 1851. He chose the location for several reasons.

What are two reasons why the Confederates wanted New Mexico?

In 1861, the Confederacy claimed the southern half of the vast New Mexico Territory as its own Arizona Territory and waged the ambitious New Mexico Campaign in an attempt to control the American Southwest and open up access to Union-held California.

Who commanded the Union troops at Fort Craig?

One of the largest forts constructed in the West, Fort Craig was situated strategically on the primary road between New Mexico and Mexico. In February of 1862, the fort supplied U.S. troops to thwart the invasion of Texas Confederates under the command of Gen. Henry H. Sibley.

Where was the battle of Albuquerque?

AlbuquerqueBattle of Albuquerque / Location

Which side won the battle of Glorieta Pass?

UnionBattle of Glorieta PassDateMarch 26–28, 1862LocationNew Mexico Territory; United StatesResultTactical draw, strategic Union victory

Why did the union win at the battle of Glorieta Pass?

The Federals proved to be victorious because they were able to destroy all Confederate supplies. All other Confederate attempts to attack Fort Union proved fruitless and they slowly withdrew from the territory. The Union retained control the American Southwest for the rest of the Civil War.

Why was the battle of Glorieta important?

Glorieta Pass is commonly referred to as the “Gettysburg of the West.” It was here that Federal forces were finally able to turn back the Confederate invasion of the New Mexico Territory.

What are two reasons why the Confederates wanted New Mexico?

In 1861, the Confederacy claimed the southern half of the vast New Mexico Territory as its own Arizona Territory and waged the ambitious New Mexico Campaign in an attempt to control the American Southwest and open up access to Union-held California.

What did Sibley order his men to do when he arrived at Fort Craig?

When Sibley arrived near Fort Craig on February 15, he ordered his men to swing east of the fort, cross the Rio Grande, and capture the Valverde fords of the Rio Grande. He hoped to cut off Canby’s communication and force the Yankees out into the open.

How many soldiers were killed in the Battle of Fort Craig?

The Yankees fell back in retreat, and headed back to Fort Craig. The Union suffered 68 killed, 160 wounded and 35 missing out of 3,100 engaged. The Confederates suffered 31 killed, 154 wounded and 1 missing out of 2,600 troops. It was a bloody but indecisive battle. Sibley’s men continued up the Rio Grande.

What was the purpose of Canby's Fort Craig?

At Fort Craig, Canby was determined to make the Confederates lay siege to the post. The Rebels, Canby reasoned, could not wait long before running low on supplies.He knew that Sibley did not possess sufficiently heavy artillery to attack the fort.

What towns did the Confederacy capture?

From San Antonio, the Rebels moved into southern New Mexico (which included Arizona) and captured the towns of Mesilla and Tucson.

What was the first major engagement of the Civil War?

The first major engagement of the Civil War in the far West, the battle produced heavy casualties but no decisive result. This action was part of the broader movement by the Confederates to capture New Mexico and other parts of the West, and thereby secure territory that the Rebels thought was rightfully theirs but had been denied them by political ...

Who was the General at the Battle of Valverde?

Battle of Valverde. On February 21, 1862, at the Battle of Valverde, Confederate troops under General Henry Hopkins Sibley attack Union troops commanded by Colonel Edward R. S. Canby near Fort Craig in New Mexico Territory. The first major engagement of the Civil War in the far West, the battle produced heavy casualties but no decisive result.

How long did the Confederates stay in Fort Craig?

Though the Confederates remained in position for three days, Canby refused to leave his fortifications.

What battle did Sibley abandon?

Though he ultimately occupied both Albuquerque and Santa Fe, Sibley was forced to abandon New Mexico after the Battle of Glorieta Pass and the loss of his wagon train.

What was the name of the battle that led to the Confederacy?

The Battle of Valverde was fought on February 21, 1862, during the American Civil War (1861 to 1865). On December 20, 1861, Brigadier General Henry H. Sibley issued a proclamation claiming New Mexico for the Confederacy. To support his words, he advanced north from Fort Thorn in February 1862. Following the Rio Grande, he intended ...

How many people died in the Battle of Valverde?

The Battle of Valverde cost Canby 111 killed, 160 wounded, and 204 captured/missing. Sibley's losses totaled 150-230 killed and wounded. Falling back to Fort Craig, Canby resumed a defensive position. Though he had won a victory in the field, Sibley still lacked sufficient forces to successfully attack Fort Craig.

What did Pyron call aid from?

Quickly taking​ a position in a dry river bed, Pyron called for aid from Scurry. Opposite, Union guns moved into place on the west bank, while the cavalry advanced in a skirmish line. Despite possessing a numerical advantage, the Union forces did not attempt to assault the Confederate position.

What Fort did Sibley take?

To support his words, he advanced north from Fort Thorn in February 1862. Following the Rio Grande, he intended to take Fort Craig, the capital at Santa Fe, and Fort Union. Marching with 2,590 ill-equipped men, Sibley neared Fort Craig on February 13. Within the fort's walls were around 3,800 Union soldiers led by Colonel Edward Canby.

What did Canby leave at Fort Craig?

Learning of the standoff, Canby departed Fort Craig with the bulk of his command only leaving a force of militia to guard the post. Arriving on the scene, he left two regiments of infantry on the west bank and pushed the remainder of his men across the river.

Overview

Confederate Brigadier General Henry Hopkins Sibley envisioned that he would invade New Mexico with his army, defeat Union forces, capture the capital city of Santa Fe and then march westward to conquer California and add it to the territory of the Confederacy.

Background

Confederate Brigadier General Henry Hopkins Sibley led his brigade to within fifteen miles south of Fort Craig during the evening of February 13.

Battle

Next morning, February 21, Sibley sent an advance party consisting of four companies of the 2nd Texas Mounted Rifles under the command of Major Charles Pyron to scout ahead to the Valverde ford, with the 4th Texas Mounted Rifles under Lieutenant Colonel William Read Scurry following close behind.

Aftermath

Left in possession of the battlefield, the Confederates gained the victory but had suffered substantial casualties, reporting 36 killed, 150 wounded, and one missing out of 2,590 men.

External links

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How did the Union move to envelop the Rebels?

About this time Union forces moved to envelop the Rebel right by crossing the Rio Grande upriver from Valverde. Such a move forced Scurry to divide his command and lengthen the Confederate line.

What did Colonel Green do at the same time?

At the same time Colonel Green decided on an all-out attack on the Federal artillery. Concealed by the sandhills, Green advanced on the Union center as Colonel Raguet moved against a Federal battery firing on the Rebel left flank. Raguet's cavalry advanced to within 100 yards of the Union guns before being driven off.

How many people died in the Battle of Valverde?

Union casualties at Valverde amounted to 222 men killed and wounded, while the Confederates lost 183. On the day following the battle, the Rebel dead were wrapped in blankets and buried in trenches. Federal dead were interred at Fort Craig.

How long did it take for the Rebels to overrun the Union guns?

Within eight minutes the Texans had overrun the Union guns. McRae and half of his men died at their guns.

What company fired the deadly volley into the charging Rebels?

The Coloradoans held their fire until the Lancers were within a few yards of the Federal line and then fired a deadly volley into the charging Rebels. In the suicidal attack, the Lancers, Company B of the Fifth Regiment, suffered a greater loss of life than any other company in the Army of New Mexico.

What was Sibley's objective?

Sibley's objective, although never clearly defined, appears to have been Colorado and eventually California, thus making the Confederacy a transcontinental nation more likely to win diplomatic recognition in Europe. In early 1862 Sibley moved against Fort Craig, a Federal bastion in south-central New Mexico.

Where did Sibley retreat from Fort Craig?

When Canby refused, Sibley decided to bypass the fort by retreating downriver some seven miles to the village of Paraje, where the Rebels crossed to the east bank of the Rio Grande.

How many Confederate soldiers died in the Battle of Glorieta Pass?

In the aftermath, 500 of the formerly proud 3,500 Confederate invaders had been killed in battle or died of disease.

What side of the Rio Grande did the Confederate forces cross?

Rather than attack the fort, under the cover of darkness, Confederate forces crossed to the opposite side of the Rio Grande, thereby circling around Fort Craig to the north. Now, instead of Fort Craig blocking the Confederacy’s way to Santa Fe, it was the Union contingent that found itself trapped behind enemy lines.

What was Fort Craig known for?

Besides playing a role in the American Civil War, Fort Craig was also a crucial outpost in frontier campaigns and is associated with many notable Native American figures, including Victorio, Nana, and Geronimo.

What was the Battle of Valverde?

February 2021 marked the 159th commemoration of the Battle of Valverde, a little-known yet important battle that took place during the American Civil War. Covetous of the Union’s Coloradoan goldfields and Californian harbors, in the winter of 1862, an expeditionary force ...

What would happen if the Union held territory of New Mexico could be captured?

If the Union-held territory of New Mexico could be captured, then the entire resource-rich Southwest might fall. Situated between the advancing Southerners and the New Mexican capital of Santa Fe stood Fort Craig.

Is Fort Craig a BLM?

Today, Fort Craig is a BLM Special Management Area and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Officer's Quarters, Ruins at Fort Craig, present-day. (Photo by Brenda Wilkinson) During the Civil War, the fort was manned in large part by native New Mexicans. Its formidable earthen walls were armed with what was commonly referred ...

Who refused to surrender Fort Craig?

When asked to surrender the fort, Colonel Canby flatly refused. Still intimidated by Fort Craig’s formidable barricades and “Quaker Canons,” General Sibley had no choice but to march his significantly depleted force north, leaving a Union threat looming behind him.

Overview

The battle was the first to occur during the New Mexico Campaign; the Confederates hoped to capture Fort Craig both to eliminate the Union garrison as a threat to their rear and to capture the supplies in the fort.

Background

Confederate Brigadier General Henry H. Sibley led his brigade of about 2,500 men to within fifteen miles south of Fort Craig during the evening of February 13.

Battle

The Confederates were unaware that Union forces guarded the ford until they arrived at the river. Pyron sent for reinforcements from the 4th Texas while his men took cover in an old river bed, which served as an excellent defensive position.

Aftermath

Left in possession of the battlefield, the Confederates claimed victory but had suffered heavy casualties, losing 230 men killed and wounded out of 2,590 men engaged, about nine percent. Although some accounts say only about 150 Confederates were wounded and none killed while the Union sustained about 80 dead and 150 wounded.

Armies & Commanders

The Armies Meet

• Alerted to the Confederate movements, Canby dispatched a mixed force of cavalry, infantry, and artillery under Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Roberts to the ford on the morning of February 21. Slowed by his guns, Roberts sent Major Thomas Duncan ahead with the cavalry to hold the ford. As Union troops were moving north, Sibley ordered Major Charles Py...

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The Tide Turns

Aftermath of The Battle

Sources