1	Use a Microsoft IE Browser, not Mozilla or others To get the most out of this Power Point based Web Presentation go to the lower right corner of your screen, and select ‘Slide Show’ THEN use your space bar to page through the presentation. Use ESCAPE to, well, Escape. Come back repeatedly – the ‘story’ will be amplified, documented, extended.
2	Colorado City, West Pointers and the Civil War “Little Gettysburg of the West” by Colorado Native Col (Ret) David Hughes ‘50
3	Earliest Colorado Facts 1861 Colorado made a Territory out of Kansas Lincoln appoints ex-Cadet Gilpin Governor – “Save Colorado for the Union” Colorado City voted Territorial Capital 1861. Of 25,000 Gold Rushers already in Colorado 6,000 are Southerners and Secessionists Secessionists confront loyal Unionists. Shootouts in Denver City. Spies in Colorado City. Outnumbered Rebels go underground – as guerillas! Incite Indians to attack settlers.
4	The Southwest in 1862
5	Start of Civil War in the Far West Texas joins Confederacy 1861 Rebels plan for great Western Empire – Southern New Mexico, Arizona, and California to the sea. Jefferson Davis ’28 approves Sibley ’38 - plan Sibley enters NM with 3,600 Mounted Texans February 1862, after Baylor had seized Mesilla, declares himself Governor. Canby ‘39 requests urgent help from Colorado Governor Gilpin. Two companies respond early. “Volunteers too little resistance, Regulars too few”
6	William Gilpin ex - 1838 Entered West Point 1834 Told his father West Point didn’t teach enough Tactics. With perfectly good grades, resigned 1835. Commissioned in the Dragoons, fought the Seminoles, rode with Fremont to Oregon, and fought Mexican War. Arrives in Denver City May 27^th, 1861 as 1^st Governor Clearly sees the Threat, acts to raise an Army
7	Local Big Civil War News Very, very rare Newspaper – I own one of only 3 known copies FULL of the Civil War, including capture of 42 Rebels and a 6 lb Canon near Buelah, west of Pueblo. Capt Elmer Otis, Class of 1853 West Point, 4^th US Cavalry out of Fort Wise (Ft Lyon) captured them. Company F, 1^st Colorado (Mounted), camped in Colorado City 1861, enroute south to escort the prisoners back under Marshall Townsend. Pvt Hollister describes in his journal. Prisoners tried for Treason.
8	Col John Slough Denver Lawyer First Formed Company A Then made Colonel Commander of the 1^st Colorado Volunteer Infantry Regiment Rode in a Carriage while soldiers walked Disliked by his men (they shot at him) Resigned after Glorieta Replaced by Chivington
9	From Colorado City Journal Bad Typography – Says see Col “Slough” By Stagecoach? Band never formed Slough stopped over in Colo City enroute to Fort Union & Glorieta
10	Nov 28^th, 1861 Recruiting Ad in Colorado City Journal
11	Pikes Peak Region 1859 - 1862 1^st Territorial Capitol Bldg (And Recruiting Office?)
12	The 44 Rebs Captured Near Buelah From the Colorado City Journal Capt Elmer Otis, West Point Class 1853, 4^th US Cavalry captured the Rebels Mounted Company F, 1^st Colo Volunteers camped in Colorado City with Territorial Marshal Townsend to escort them back to Denver Soldiers stole chicken and pigs while in town!
13	General Edward Canby USA‘39 Colonel, Deputy Cmdr “NM Military Department” 1860. Made Cmdr, 1861 after HIS Cmdr joined the Confederacy in June Left with only 1,500 Regulars, (little Infantry) and 4,000 poorly trained NM Militia. 120,000 sq mi to defend Chose to Defend Fort Craig to Block Rebels Reputation for Caution
14	Prepares Fort Union with 2d ”Star Fort” Earliest Fort, 1851 (not shown) Last Fort – 1863-69 (background)
15	Brig Gen Henry Sibley CSA ‘38 Had soldiered with Canby in New Mexico. Commanded Fort Union in 1861 until he resigned in June. Knew it well. Came back with ‘Sibley’s Army’ – 7 months later 5 West Point Grads and 2 ex Cadets in his command Drank too much.
16	Confederate West Pointers – 5 Grads and 2 ex-cadets Capt James Bradford ‘27, CSA Artillery - Wounded by fellow grad Capt Ritter ’56 US in the artillery duel at Pigeon’s Ranch at Glorieta Pass BG Sibley ‘38 CSA never held another command. After the war he tried to be a General for the Khedive of Egypt. Sacked for drinking. Col William Steele ’40 CSA Probably the best Officer in Sibley’s Army. Commanded the 4^th Regt Capt Charles Bradford ex-‘46 CSA Capt Arthur Bagby ‘52 CSA Capt George Campbell ex–’56 CSA Lt Col Henry McNeill ‘57 CSA Commanded the 5th Regiment of Texans
17	Union View of the Texans Most New Mexicans hated and feared the Texans; Sibley misjudged this They cared little for the issues of Secession – eastern stuff The Four Mounted Regiments of “Sibley’s Army” came from all over central Texas Organized and trained around San Antonio After a big parade - marched through El Paso and Fort Bliss into New Mexico Cocky Texans (aren’t they all?) called the 1^st Colorado Regiment “Gilpin’s Pet Lambs” - until their first defeat in Apache Canyon. Then they called them “The Regular Demons”
18	"Confederate CSA LTC Baylor moved..." Confederate CSA LTC Baylor moved first, crossing the border in July, 61 and threatened the garrison at Fort Fillmore commanded by an incompetant Union Major Lynde ’27 who foolishly tried to retreat to Ft Stanton through the Desert, finally surrendering at St. Augustine Spring. Doubts remain whether he was a loyal Union Officer. His junior grads were furious, but had to follow orders. They even preferred charges against him once they were released.
19	"BG Sibley organized" BG Sibley organized, equipped and trained his Mounted Texas Army in San Antonio, then marched 3,600 strong in 4 Regiments across border in Feb 1862, took over Baylors command. Aimed to seize the supplies from Fort Craig which was a strong fort, (but with too many untrained NM Volunteers) and too few Regular US Army units
20	Col Kit Carson So Union he tore down a Confederate flag put up in his home town, Taos, raised the Stars and Stripes and defended it with guns. Commanded the reliable 1^st New Mexico Volunteer Regiment Defended Fort Craig during the Campaign
21	Defeat of Canby at Valverde Sibley avoided direct assault on Ft Craig – too strong Crossed the Rio Grande Tried to draw Canby out – Canby refused, only probed Opposed Sibley’s bypass move NM Volunteers folded and ran McRae’s ’51 Battery Lost 3 West Point Grads die Canby remained bottled up Time and fight cost Sibley men and much supplies
22	Union Grads at Valverde Col Benjamin Roberts ’35 Brevetted Major General. Maj James L Donaldson ’36 Became a Major General Col – then BG - Edward Canby ‘39 Commander Capt Henry Selden ’43 Grant classmate – died 1865 Capt Peter Plympton ’47 Brevetted twice, died in 1866 Capt George Howland ‘48 Brevetted at Valverde Capt Joseph Tilford ‘51 Became a Colonel of Cavalry Capt David Brotherton ’54 Unknown fate Capt William Nicodemus ’58, Adj to Canby, Brevetted, Lt Col Capt Charles Ingraham ’58 Recruiting duty – sick, died 1867 Capt George Bascom ’58 Killed in Action at Valverde Capt Roderic Stone ’59 youngest grad on the battlefield died of wounds suffered at Valverde. Capt Alexander McRae ‘51 Killed in Action at Valverde
23	Capt Alexandar McRae ‘1851 Southerner, NC, stayed loyal to Union. Refused CSA offer of rank Commanded 2 Batteries at Valverde, at peak of battle Texas assault ran off NM Infantry on his left flank, he was overrun. Texans offered him surrender. But he died with ‘I will not forsake my guns” Buried first where he fell, Southern Family could not visit grave in NM - reconstruction travel restrictions. Army reburied him at West Point. Hero to both sides.
24	How Capt McRae’s ‘51 Battery Might Have Looked Photographer Unknown – Not from this battle. No “embedded journalists” in the New Mexico War!
25	"After defeating" After defeating, then bottling up Canby in Fort Craig, Sibley moved his Army north. Union Quartermaster Capt Enos ’56 got supplies out of Soccoro just in time. Rebs reach Albuqurque and Santa Fe. but many supplies already burned by Enos. Union troops retreat to Fort Union - the critical goal of Sibley. Starts toward it, with an advance party under Major Pyron through Apache Canyon and Glorieta Pass
26	The Only ‘Civil’ Part of the Civil War? Louisa Canby saw the wounded Confederates of Sibley’s Army in Santa Fe, short on supplies She offered to organize Union wives in Santa Fe (their men were trapped at Fort Craig) tend the Wounded, find medical supplies and comfort them But she was the wife of the Union Commanding General Canby. The ‘enemy!’ The Rebels called her the “Little Angel of Santa Fe” Hurrah for Army Wives! Then and now. They keep we fighting animals human.
27	The Forced March of the 1^st Colorado Regiment had only 1,200 men. All Gilpin could afford with $375,000 in drafts on the Federal Treasury. Only one mounted company Answering Canby’s call, started Feb 22d, 1862 from Denver for Fort Union. Col Slough, Commander stopped in Colorado City Regiment went over Raton Pass in snowstorm on a legendary forced march to beat the Rebels to Fort Union. 92 miles 36 hours.
28	The Opening Engagement Texans didn’t know whether they were Texans or Confederates – they unfurled the Lone Star flag at the first shots fired in Apache Canyon. Fought bravely, but Cavalry useless in narrow canyon. Texans not used to altitude, or fighting on foot; Pikes Peakers hard as nails from Rockies
29	First Day’s Battle. Maj Chivington’s Advance force suprises Maj Pyron over Glorieta Pass, captures 80 Texans in Apache Canyon. Confederates stunned.
30	Confederate Field Commander Lieutenant Colonel Scurry CSA Toughest and best Rebel Field Commander Personally led 5 Texas Infantry Assaults against Grad Captains Ritter ’s 56 and Claflin’s ’57 Batteries. Assaults Failed. High Point of Glorieta, the Invasion, and the War. March 28^th, 1862 Told Sibley “They were the flower of the US Army” Requested a Burial Truce. Mass grave not found until 1987
31	Lt Col Manuel Chavez 2d New Mexico Volunteers Called the “Little Lion of the Southwest” Fought USA Gen Kearny in Mexican War 1846 Became staunch Unionist Knew the Glorieta Terrain well Guided Chivington over the Badlands of Glorieta Mesa to a cliff overlooking Rebel Supply Train at Johnson’s Ranch An Unsung hero of Glorieta
32	Decisive Battle Day. Scurry presses Slough hard, but Chivington destroys all 80 Rebel wagons and 500 horses
33	Union Grads at Glorieta and During Confederate Retreat Col Gabriel Paul, ‘34 Later Commanded a Brigade and lost both of his eyes at Gettysburg. Capt William H Lewis ’49 Killed by Indians 1878 Capt Gurden Chapin ’51 Brevetted for Gallantry Capt Herbert Enos ‘56 Quartermaster Capt Robert Lord ‘56 1st Cav Brevetted at Gettysburg – died 1866 Capt John Ritter ‘56 Brevetted to Major – died 1872 Capt Ira Claflin ‘57 Asst Prof USMA - died 1867 Capt Charles Walker ‘57 2d Cavalry Capt Asa Carey, ‘58 Brevetted after Apache Canon Became Assistant Paymaster of the US Army
34	Quartermaster Capt Herbert Enos ‘56 Snatched Supplies from Rebs at Soccoro without troop escort. Even faced by Indian attacks. Burned Supplies at Albuqurque Got Wagons and supplies out of Santa Fe to Ft Union ahead of Rebs Brought 100 Wagons back to Glorieta Pass from Ft Union. Saved the Trains, got out wounded. Got no support from Col Slough, but used own initiative. A Regular pro. Big Logistic Win – Sibley had no Capt Enos. Lost the War. Enos should have become Quartermaster General of Army
35	The Great Texas Retreat after Glorieta Sibley, now desperate for supplies forced to start 300 mile retreat. Bypasses Ft Craig 100 hard dry miles Union units out of Forts Union and Craig start pressing Confederates south. New Mexicans heartened. 1^st Colorado, under Chivington pursues Texans Confederates bury canon at Albuqurque. Sharp overnight artillery engagement at Peralta Texas army starts disintegrating, leaving wounded, dead, wagons, horses behind. Some cross the dreaded dry Jornada del Muerte. Beset by raiding Indians. Sibley drags into Texas with 7 wagons and less than 1,000 of the original 363 wagons and 3,600 men. Beaten.
36	The Fate of Gilpin Lincoln had to fire Gov Gilpin, after the Treasurer of the US said he had no fiscal authority to raise his army. The Rocky Mountain News, which lost the bid for Territorial printing, to the Colorado Republican reviled him editorially and had a lot to do with his dismissal, even though merchants were eventually paid. So Ex-1838 cadet, Ex-Territorial Governor Gilpin went on to pioneer across the West. His West Point and Military experience were decisive in saving Colorado for the Union.
37	The Fate of Chivington Methodist Minister who wanted to fight. Brother was a Confederate Most impressive combat leader at Glorieta. Elected ‘Colonel’ Commanding after Slough resigned. 1^st Colo Infantry Regiment refitted with horses while camped in Colorado City Nov-Dec 1862. Rode off as 1^ST Colo Cavalry Jan, 1863. End of victorious 1^st Colo Infantry. Commanded 1^st, 3d Cavalry at so called Sand Creek “Massacre” 1864 Vilified at DC hearings by jealous Officers (passed over?) of 1^stColo. Railroaded? Howbert was sure.
38	Where I think the 1^st Colo Camped in Colorado City Nov-Dec 1862 Two months in Winter 1,200 Solders, Horses near Fountain Creek and in woods Close to only large lodging Hq & Officers in Hotel & Bar Canon parked near Hq Road to Denver – terminated right at El Paso House, (28^th Street, W Colorado today) As the Colonel of the Regt, how I would have encamped the Regiment back from NM Proof? Where canon ball was found in 1970’s Amarillo Motel grounds same site
39	STRATEGIC OUTCOME Strategic Union Victory a “Western Gettysburg” Confederate plans for a Western Empire dashed. Gilpin saves Colorado for the Union. Loses job Colorado shaped by Civil War – Denver grows, Colorado City withers. After Sand Creek, Colorado ignores their Civil War victory. Texans and New Mexicans do not. 33 West Pointers major factor in Victory. Utterly Forgotten today. Without ‘embedded’ journalists at Glorieta forgotten back east too.
40	Effects on Colorado City -1859-1870 It lost the Capital to Denver! Never recovers. Southern Guerillas robbed Stagecoaches, Trains, to get money and arms. Disrupted commerce. Rebels incited Indians to Attack Unionists on the Plains of Colorado! Paid them. Bijou Basin clash. Wagon trains dried up along Arkansas – a ‘southern’ route west. Colorado City withered. A Colorado City town founder – McClure - a Rebel! 1866 – Gen Sherman refuses Colo City Federal troop Protection against Indians. Says no threat. 1868 – Arapahoe kills Robbins Boys and Charlie Eberhart –the Indian massacre of Colorado City
41	Battlefields today - off I-25
42	Ft Union National Monument Only 8 Miles off I-25 Great Book Store, Tours 4 hours from Colorado Springs
43	Fort Union Today
44	Remains of old Hospital from the 3d Ft Union
45	What’s This? Confederate Burial Ceremony in Santa Fe 1993? Yep, 31 dead Texas Confederates dug up June 1987
46	HOW YOU CAN HELP PRESERVE THE GLORITA BATTLEFIELD AND HONOR THE COLORADOANS WHO FOUGHT THERE 1. Join the free ‘Glorieta Battlefield Coalition’ www.glorietapass.org 2. Access www.nps.gov/peco - send letters 3. Visit Fort Union and the Battlefield! 4. Help put up a 1^st Colorado Statue in Bancroft Park on the Slab that is ready!
47	Background about this Web History This presentation is based on original research in 2004-2005 by Col Dave Hughes, who lives in ‘Old Colorado City’ Colorado who is the first historian of the Civil War in the West to discover and document the identity and role of all 38 West Point Graduates plus 6 ex-cadets who engaged in the New Mexico fighting on both sides. And who has also detailed the role Colorado City had during the Civil War, displaying it in the Old Colorado City History Center, Colorado Springs. Many of the facts presented are from prior studies of the Civil War and Glorieta. But major findings also came from the online Data Bases of West Point, and the Cullum Register of graduates. Much will be added to this study in subsequent versions. It’s History in progress. Copyright, Dave Hughes, Colo Spgs, 2005 dave@oldcolo.com history@oldcolo.com
48	Sources The Cullum Register of Graduates and Former Cadets - Association of Graduates, United States Military Academy, West Point, New York. USMA Library Special Collections Data Base 1802-1891 Bicentennial Print Edition, 1802-2002. Whitford, W.C. Colorado Volunteers in the Civil War, 1906 repro, Colorado Historical Society, Boulder, Colorado: Pruitt Press, 1963 Colorado City Journal, Nov 28^th, 1861 – Original, Col David Hughes Personal Collection Taylor, John M. Bloody Valverde - A Civil War Battle on the Rio Grande Albuqurque: University of New Mexico Press, 1995 Thomas Edrington and John Taylor. The Battle of Glorieta Pass Albuqurque: University of New Mexico Press, 1998 Col David Hughes. History of Old Colorado City 1859-1917, Old Colo City Hist Soc 1978 Thomas Karns. William Gilpin – Western Nationalist, Austin: U of Texas Press 1970 Don Alberts. The Civil War Journal of A.B. Peticolas, Albuqurque: Merit Press, 1993 Ovando Hollister. Colorado Volunteers in New Mexico, 1862, Chicago: Lakeside Press, 1962 Don Alberts. The Battle of Glorieta, Texas A&M Univ Press, College Station, Texas, 1998 James Farmer. My Life With the Army in the West, 1924 ed Dale Griese,WNMU, 1993 Donald Frazier. Blood and Treasure, Texas A&M Press, College Station, 1995 Marc Simmons. Little Lion of the Southwest – Manuel Chavez Ohio U Press 1973 Col David Hughes. The Two Encampments of the 1^st Colorado in Colorado City, Paper 2004 Papers, books of the Old Colorado City Historical Society, Colorado Springs, Colorado