Download a Forgotten Episode of the Civil War

COLORADO CITY AND THE CIVIL WAR
Very few people who live in the Pikes Peak region have ever heard of the Civil War in
the Far West beyond the border wars of Kansas. Fewer still know the events which
swirled around the original Colorado City, Colorado and New Mexico Territories
between 1860 and 1865. Even long time natives are only dimly aware of references to the
Battle of Glorieta Pass, and the misnamed Colorado Militia. When modern residents of
Colorado Springs, Manitou, or the rest of El Paso County think about the Pioneer days,
they think of the 1859 Pikes Peak or Bust gold rush, Indians and the Sand Creek
Massacre, saloons and gun fights in the dusty streets of Colorado City and something
about it having been Colorado’s capitol briefly, before Colorado Springs was even
founded as genteel “Little London” in 1871.
Yet the very rare issue of the Colorado City Journal of November 28th, 1861 only four
copies of which are known to exist, one in the possession of this author, blares out ‘Union
and Constitution.” It is full of Civil War news, the death of Sam Houston, the capture of
42 Rebels and their canon near Pueblo, and recruiting ads for the ‘First Colorado.’
For indeed, the secessionist passions that were already driving the United States toward
the firing on Fort Sumter and the bloody Civil War in the East, carried to the far west in
the breasts of Southerners and Unionist alike even while they searched for gold and their
fortunes.
So little is known about ‘Bloody Valverde’ or the decisive ‘Battle of Glorieta Pass’ –
which historians have dubbed the ‘Gettysburg of the West” – that it is even incorrectly
identified in the West Point Museum on its displays as an ‘Indian Wars’ battle. Which it
most decidedly was not. La Glorieta was a classic Blue-Gray campaign and series of
battles, with major ‘western’ Civil War issues at stake and fascinating tactical details. It
was plagued by severe logistical and leadership problems, and involved a mixed bag of
militia, New Mexicans, Volunteer Texans and Coloradoans, interspersed with Regular
Army units largely commanded by West Pointers.
As a Colorado native, I only fully learned after 1976 how much the west, well beyond the
Kansas border wars, was shaped by the Civil War. My discovery came while I was
researching the forgotten history of the original Colorado City at the foot of famed Pikes
Peak, as part of my efforts to restore the economic vitality and historical character of
what is now called ‘Old Colorado City’ – today’s ‘Westside’ of Colorado Springs.
It’s time to set the record straight, and let modern living graduates – who are presumably
familiar with the general history of the eastern battles of the Civil War - know that there
was a smaller, albeit strategically important, Civil War Battle in the far west which
deeply involved their brethren. Its outcome would not have changed the course of the
entire war, but could have led to negotiated settlements and different borders in the Far
West in areas where no country was in complete control. These were struggles in which
unheralded West Pointers, whose names are virtually unknown today played important
roles.
Gold Rush and Civil War
It was a coincidence of history that the 1859 ‘Pikes Peak or Bust’ Gold rush exploded in
the west just as the Civil War was breaking out in the east. Thousands of gold seekers,
spurred on by the findings in 1858 of gold along Cherry Creek by the Russell brothers of
Georgia, flooded westward by foot, wagon, horse, mule and even wheelbarrow. By 1860
there were at least 25,000 gold and fortune seekers scaling the front range of the Rockies.
But at least a quarter of them were Southerners, most with very strong views on the issue
of secession.
Here at the foot of Pikes Peak, the original Colorado City was staked out on August 12th,
1859 as a ‘gateway to gold country’ town. The reality of distances in the west was such,
however, that one would have to travel 600 miles back across the plains of Kansas
Territory to get legal title to one’s land purchase from the new Colorado City Town
Company, (whose lots, blocks and streets, on one of which I live, still exist). Or to fetch
a sheriff, much less a judge. There simply was no local government on the frontier. All
this occurred 12 years before post Civil War Colorado Springs was founded by eastern
money.
So Colorado City and Denver City lobbied Congress, which carved out a new “Colorado
Territory” from the mountainous West in February, 1861. With the fall of Ft. Sumter a
few months later President Lincoln admonished an experienced frontiersman, William
Gilpin, ex-class of 1838, to ‘Save Colorado for the Union.’ As well he needed to. For it is
a little known fact that California and Colorado gold later helped Lincoln finance the
Union needs for war. Lincoln appointed Gilpin Colorado Territorial Governor in March
1861. He arrived on May 27th – with no federal funds in hand to do what the President
asked.
Yet the Civil War was much on the minds and in daily encounters of pioneers even while
they were searching for their fortunes.
I own a very rare original copy of a yellowed Colorado City Journal dated November
28th, 1861 which no Civil War historian has seen. It was given to me by a descendent of
1859 Colorado City pioneers. It is full of Civil War news, the death of Sam Houston, the
capture by Territorial Marshal Townsend of 42 rebel guerillas – and their cannon – in
Southern Colorado. It even contains two recruiting advertisements. One for recruits for
‘Company A’ of the 1st Colorado Volunteers, and another for Musicians for the
Regimental Band. There was even a Recruiting Office in a log cabin in Colorado City!
All this occurred over the first two years of Colorado Territory’s existence.
Meanwhile Confederate schemers advising Jeff Davis, Class of 1828, already had
visualized a huge east-west spanning empire which was to incorporate, besides Texas,
New Mexico, today’s Arizona, and Southern California – which, once controlled, would
give them access to the sea where the Federal Navy couldn’t touch them. President
Buchanan’s Secretary of War – John B Floyd, a Secessionist – years before Lincoln was
elected even had appointed Southern leaning Union Officers to command the forts and
depots in Texas and New Mexico, and ordered the shipping of many military supplies to
those Forts – which were nominally there only to protect trade routes and the settlers
from the Indian depredations. But his true intent was to supply Confederate troops after
the war began and a far west invasion had taken place.
Thus was spawned an incredible specific plan sold to Jefferson Davis by colorful, hard
drinking Colonel Henry Sibley, Class of 1839, who had fought Indians and Mexican on
that same frontier for the Union. Sibley argued he could, with an Army of mounted
Texans invade Colorado through New Mexico up the Rio Grande, living off the land,
take over Colorado’s capital, capture its gold and mines, deny them to the Union, bolster
the Confederate Treasury as well as consolidate the western empire. Davis approved and
appointed Sibley a Brigadier General, authorized to raise a four Regiment Texas Cavalry
Brigade.
Sibley had figured that the descendents of once Spanish dominated New Mexico, being
tied to commerce and families across Texas reaching into Mexico would either embrace
the Confederate cause, or stay neutral. But he should have known that many Hispanics
feared and hated the Texans. And were indifferent to the eastern issues of succession.
Sibley’s Campaign
After resigning his Union commission, Sibley and other Texans in on the scheme, forced
Union Commanders of Forts and depots within Texas and southern New Mexico, to
either switch sides, or surrender their forts, and supplies. With a preemptive foray north
from El Paso as early as July, 1861 Lt Col John Baylor, CSA seized Fort Fillmore at
Mesilla in extreme southern New Mexico which an incompetent aged commander - West
Point Major Isaac Lynde Class of 1837 abandoned. Lynde then tried to retreat through
the desert to Fort Stanton with insufficient supplies and surrendered his 410 man
command – dying of thirst and exhaustion – to Baylor including 7 protesting more junior
West Point officers. Baylor then declared himself Governor of ‘Arizona Territory’ which
was to include New Mexico south of the 34th Parallel stretching westward all the way to
the Pacific.
From the National Archives
Gen Henry Sibley ‘39
Sibley knew, having previously commanded Fort Union in northern New Mexico that it, today a National Monument right off Interstate 25 east of Santa Fe - must be his first
strategic objective. For with the widely scattered US Army forts across the vast, dry
West, well supplied military Depots would be vital support for any western campaign.
Once Fort Union was seized, opposing Union or Territorial forces would have no
military supply sources between it and Colorado City or Denver 400 miles further north.
By December, 1861 Sibley’s had 3,200 fit soldiers ready to go in four Texas Mounted
Regiments. They were the 2d, 4th, 5th - with Lt Col William McNeill Class of 1857
commanding one unit, and the 7th Regiment commanded by Colonel William Steele,
Class of ‘40 – a Sherman classmate. One of Steele’s units was commanded by Major
Arthur Bagby, Class of ‘52. In Brigade Artillery was a battery commanded by a skilled
artillerist Lt James Bradford ex-1827.
The bulk of Sibley’s Texan Army crossed the border in February, 1862, taking over
Baylor’s forces and leaving Col Steele’s 7th Regiment to guard the captured southern
forts and the Mesilla valley.
Canby Prepares
Union Colonel Edward Canby Class of 1838 was suddenly thrust into the job of
defending 120,000 square miles of New Mexico Territory, and its scattered 95,000
people. He was appointed the Commander of the Military Department of New Mexico on
June 11th, 1861 after its previous commander Colonel William Loring threw his lot in
with the Confederacy. Canby had served in the west since 1849, crossed paths with
Sibley more than once, fighting Indians in New Mexico and had been cited twice in the
Mexican War for his ‘gallantry and meritorious conduct.’ He even sat on a Court Martial
that exonerated Sibley for insubordination! The wives knew each other. Both had lived in
Santa Fe.
Edward Canby ’38 – as Major General
Canby chose to defend Fort Craig, 200 miles north of El Paso right on the Rio Grande
River – the vital waterway that courses through the main population centers of New
Mexico. He knew, as did Sibley, that Fort Union would be the critical strategic fort to
fight over. It was 300 miles north of the Texas border, and Sibley would have first to get
there, and be supplied enroute, while staying close to the Rio Grande river and its
scattered population and meager resources.
There was little but blazingly hot desert trails hundreds of miles between communities,
forts, and outposts useful for any military operations. With precious few fresh water
sources, beyond the muddy Rio Grande. Mere survival of men and beasts was a first
requirement. The southern half of New Mexico is the northern end of the brutal
Chihuahua Desert. As harsh a military operational area as the US Army ever served in.
Summer or winter.
Canby had only 1,500 regulars left by 1862 after the looming war in the east drained off
many regular units and officers. He had about 4,000 recently recruited, poorly trained and
motivated, New Mexico Militia members, with which to operate – while also dealing
with hostile Indian tribes, who immediately seized the opportunity to raid and ambush as
Federal troop strength was drawn down.
Canby had some leader assets at Fort Craig. Battle-hardened Lt Col Benjamin Stone
Roberts, Class of 1835, commanding the Federal Cavalry, a mixed 6 gun Battery of
Artillery commanded by young Capt Alexander McRae, Class of ‘51, A battery of two
mountain howitzers which could each be towed by one horse, with its enterprising
commander Capt, Ira Claflin, Class of ‘57, a Detachment of the 3d Cavalry under ex
cadet Maj Thomas Duncan ’50 with troop Capt Joseph Tilford ’51, George Howland ’48,
Robert Morris ex ’45. And one 1st Cavalry company commanded by Capt Robert Lord
’56. Units of the 7th, 5th, and 10th Infantry were commanded by Capts Henry Selden ’43,
Peter Plympton ’47, David Brotherton ’54, George Bascom ’58, Charles Ingraham ’58
and young Roderic Stone ’59. As well as by ex cadets George Crossman ’58 and Robert
Morris ’45. And he got one tough separate Infantry Company of Colorado Volunteers
under Captain Dodd recruited near Pueblo who rushed south to help repel the rebels.
Bloody Valverde
While the Texas Rebels were cocky and Sibley was sure they would handily defeat
Canby’s mixed and outnumbered (Regular) forces at the adobe-walled Fort Craig and
rapidly move on to capture Fort Union, Canby showed great prudence – even caution – so
as not to get caught by more horse-mobile and aggressive Texans. In fact it was Canby’s
caution throughout the campaign - repeatedly criticized by his officers and men - against
Sibley’s overconfidence that saved Fort Craig from being captured and its supplies lost.
Sibley’s efforts to do so cost his force supplies and casualties during repeated attacks,
feints, and efforts to draw Canby out into a decisive engagement. In a series of actions
around and up to 5 miles north of the Fort between February 16th and 21st, Captains
Bascom ’58 and Stone ’59 were killed. Sibley even tried the first, and last ever, Mounted
Lancer charge in the Civil War against Dodd’s dismounted Colorado Infantry. Dodd
fixed bayonets, formed a hollow square and left 20 dead Confederates and 42 bayoneted
horses on the battlefield.. This war was real, bloody, modern. Where glittering lances and
colorfully dressed Lancers from the past had no part.
The New Mexico Theater
In a climatic engagement on February 21st, north of Fort Craig at Valverde, Capt
McRae’s Battery was left exposed across the Rio Grande as a unit of Texan-fearing New
Mexico Militia on his flank fled in fear when the Texans charged. His battery was
overrun. The North Carolinian who remained faithful to the Union died defending it after
having already had his right arm shattered. When offered to surrender he cried out “I will
never forsake my guns!” He is buried at West Point.
Canby had to withdraw into Ft Craig. As the journal from a 16 year old runaway civilian
boy, James Farmer, later sagely wrote about the Valverde Battle he witnessed “The
Volunteers did not make much resistance. The Regulars were too few.”
Captain McRae was dead. So was Bascom, Stone was dying. All Three West Point
commanders. Canby’s prized artillery pieces were in the hands of the Rebels, and he was
bottled up inside Fort Craig. Except for Colonel Kit Carson’s more reliable 1st New
Mexico Militia, the other militia units were scattered and demoralized. Nothing lay
between Sibley and Denver 500 miles away – he thought – but poorly manned and richly
provisioned Fort Union. He started north with his victorious, though bloodied, Texas
Army, their morale still high.
Valverde cost 202 Union and 187 Confederate casualties. Caring for wounded was an
enormous burden for both sides.
As Sibley’s 5th Texas, commanded by Lt Col Henry McNeill ’57, started north for
Socorro, the next town of any size, West Pointer graduate Maj James L Donaldson Class
of ‘36, at his own risk because Canby refused to order him to do so, slipped out of
embattled Fort Craig with one New Mexican as guide and raced ahead of McNeill’s lead
element via back country trails. He got all the Army supplies in Socorro onto wagons The
train commanded by Quartermaster Lt Herbert Enos, Class of ‘56, then moved north to
Albuquerque.. After burning what they couldn’t carry from the substantial depot in
Albuquerque, they finally got all the way back to Fort Union, which was commanded by
Col Gabriel Paul, Class of ‘34. They had made that 200 mile move without escort troops,
suffering losses from Indian and Confederate irregular raids.
The culminating battles were yet to come. Where Colorado mountain men weighed in.
Continued.