1. Civil War in New Mexico

2. Civil War 1861-1865 Main issue was slavery 1860 Election
Abraham Lincoln elected President
Vowed not to extend slavery to new territories
Most Civil War battles fought east of the Mississippi
War in the West was fought between the Appalachians and Mississippi

3. Battles in NM Several key battles in NM NM 1848-61
Conquered by US in 1848
After 1848 most movement was through NM to California gold fields
Most important transportation route was the Butterfield Stage Line

4. Butterfield Stage Line

5. US Troops Stationed in NM for 3 reasons
Protect stage lines
Protect Santa Fe Trail
Protect settlers from “hostile” Indians
Southern states seceded from the Union in 1861

6. Confederate Invasion Most officers in NM were from the South
Left to join the Confederate Army
First invasion
July 1861
Confederates occupied Messilla

7. Invasions
Goal was to secure a route to California, then Colorado gold fields
Second Invasion
January 1862
Confederates move up the Rio Grande
Union forces were defeated at the Battle of Val Verde in February
Confederates march north and take Albuquerque and Santa Fe

8. Invasions Union forces retreat to Ft. Union
By March the Union is reinforced by “volunteers” from Colorado

9. Battle of Glorietta Pass
March
Union forces manage to defeat the Confederates by burning their supplies
By April 1862, Confederates were chased out of NM

10. The Long Walk Because US troops were fighting Confederates
Many tribes in West took opportunity to attack settlers
Union forces left in NM after 1862 were given the task of dealing with attacks
Result: The Long Walk