CWField CompanionThe Civil War & Reconstruction All episodes

Episode 97 · February 21, 1862 · Valverde Ford on the Rio Grande, about six miles north of Fort Craig, New Mexico Territory

SIBLEY'S NEW MEXICO CAMPAIGN (Part the Second)

Confederate troops under Colonel Thomas Green captured six U.S. artillery pieces and forced Colonel Edward Canby’s field force back to Fort Craig. The Confederates held the battlefield but did not capture the fort, its garrison, or its supplies. Henry Sibley continued north with Fort Craig and more than 3,000 U.S. troops behind him
Visit the official podcast website

Episode at a glance

Period coveredFebruary 21, 1862
LocationValverde Ford on the Rio Grande, about six miles north of Fort Craig, New Mexico Territory
Historical contextConfederate troops under Colonel Thomas Green captured six U.S. artillery pieces and forced Colonel Edward Canby’s field force back to Fort Craig. The Confederates held the battlefield but did not capture the fort, its garrison, or its supplies. Henry Sibley continued north with Fort Craig and more than 3,000 U.S. troops behind him

Forces and losses

Reported figures retain the scope and estimates of the existing guide. They may cover different units or periods; missing breakdowns are not inferred.

Figures reported in this guide
ScopeReported figure
Sibley’s invasion force2,515 men and 15 artillery pieces at the start of the advance
Casualties stated in the episodeU.S.: 111 killed, 160 wounded, 204 missing; Confederate: 71 killed, 157 woundedPublished totals vary by source. The National Park Service gives 263 U.S. and 187 Confederate casualties.

Source: Civil War Podcast episode 97 · National Park Service: Valverde battle summary · National Park Service: Fort Craig · National Park Service: New Mexico Volunteers · National Park Service: Glorieta Pass campaign overview · Library of Congress: Sibley’s campaign map · Library of Congress: Edward R. S. Canby portrait · Library of Congress: 1857 map of Texas and New Mexico

Step by step

Episode flow

Follow the discussion in order. Reference maps show the setting; they do not plot positions for each step.

Fort Craig and Valverde todayMap credit ↗

Step 1 of 23

Canby took command in New Mexico

Edward R. S. Canby replaced William W. Loring after Loring resigned from the U.S. Army. Canby reorganized the department while officers and regular troops were leaving for service elsewhere.

Maps

Fort Craig and Valverde todayFort Craig stood on the west bank of the Rio Grande. Valverde Ford, where the battle was fought, was about six miles to the north.Map source Interactive map: drag to pan and use the +/− controls to zoom.
Historical map of Sibley’s campaign in New Mexico with numbered locations along the Rio Grande and toward Fort Union
Sibley’s campaign in New MexicoThis 1910 campaign map identifies Fort Bliss, Mesilla, Fort Craig, Valverde, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Glorieta, and Fort Union.Open full-size map Map source
1857 U.S. Army map of Texas and part of New Mexico showing roads, rivers, towns, and military posts
Texas and New Mexico before the campaignAn 1857 U.S. Army map shows the long route from San Antonio to El Paso and the military roads, rivers, settlements, and posts of New Mexico Territory.Open full-size map Map source

People and command

United States

Department of New Mexico and Fort Craig garrisonEdward R. S. CanbyTook field command during the battle and ordered the retreat to Fort Craig
Advance force at ValverdeBenjamin S. RobertsCavalry, infantry, and artillery sent to block the Confederate crossing
Battery, 3rd U.S. CavalryAlexander McRaeSix guns captured in the final Confederate assault
1st New Mexico Volunteer InfantryChristopher “Kit” CarsonEight companies engaged east of the Rio Grande
U.S. regular infantry detachmentHenry R. SeldenCrossed the river and drove Confederates from a wooded position
Colorado VolunteersTheodore H. DoddRepulsed the 5th Texas lancer charge

Confederacy

Army of New MexicoHenry H. SibleyCampaign commander; left battlefield direction to Green during most of the action
5th Texas Mounted Volunteers and field commandThomas GreenDirected the battle and the final two-pronged attack
4th Texas Mounted VolunteersWilliam R. ScurryReinforced the position near the river and fought through the day
Battalion of 2nd Texas Mounted RiflesCharles L. PyronHeld the Confederate advance position near Valverde Ford
Final assault on McRae’s batterySamuel A. LockridgeLed about 750 dismounted Texans and was killed at the guns
Attack on the U.S. rightHenry W. RaguetLed about 200 Texans; the attack was repulsed

Other people

  • Portrait of Edward R. S. Canby
    United States

    Edward R. S. Canby

    Organized the defense of New Mexico, commanded at Fort Craig, and directed the U.S. field force at Valverde

  • HH
    Confederacy

    Henry H. Sibley

    Organized and led the Confederate Army of New Mexico

  • TG
    Confederacy

    Thomas Green

    Commanded the 5th Texas and directed Confederate operations when Sibley was absent from field command

  • AM
    United States

    Alexander McRae

    Commanded the six-gun U.S. battery captured in the final assault and was killed at the guns

  • SA
    Confederacy

    Samuel A. Lockridge

    Led the final Confederate assault on McRae’s battery and was killed during the close fighting

  • Portrait of Christopher “Kit” Carson
    United States

    Christopher “Kit” Carson

    Commanded the 1st New Mexico Volunteer Infantry at Fort Craig and Valverde

  • WR
    Confederacy

    William R. Scurry

    Commanded the 4th Texas Mounted Volunteers at Valverde

  • BS
    United States

    Benjamin S. Roberts

    Led the U.S. advance force sent to prevent the Confederate crossing at Valverde

Important leaders killed or wounded

United States

Captain Alexander McRae

Commander of the six-gun U.S. battery. Killed while defending the guns during the final Confederate assault

Confederacy

Major Samuel A. Lockridge

Commander of the assault on McRae’s battery. Killed during the close fighting around the captured guns

Historical images

Edward R. S. Canby organized the defense of New Mexico and commanded the U.S. forces at Fort Craig and Valverde. · Image source and credits

Portrait of Edward R. S. Canby in United States Army uniform

100%Open full-size image ↗

Zoom with + / − or pinch. Drag to explore; use arrow keys to scroll. Press Escape to close.

Portrait of Edward R. S. Canby in United States Army uniform
Fort Craig’s earthworks, photographed around 1866. The post remained in U.S. hands after Valverde and still held the supplies Sibley needed. · Image source and credits

Fort Craig earthworks photographed around 1866

100%Open full-size image ↗

Zoom with + / − or pinch. Drag to explore; use arrow keys to scroll. Press Escape to close.

Fort Craig earthworks photographed around 1866
A 1910 map of the entire campaign area, with Valverde and Fort Craig numbered 7 and 8. · Image source and credits

Historical map of Sibley’s campaign in New Mexico

100%Open full-size image ↗

Zoom with + / − or pinch. Drag to explore; use arrow keys to scroll. Press Escape to close.

Historical map of Sibley’s campaign in New Mexico
Sources and image credits