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Episode 98 · February 22–March 28, 1862 · The Rio Grande valley and Santa Fe Trail, from Fort Craig through Albuquerque and Santa Fe to Fort Union and Apache Canyon, New Mexico Territory

SIBLEY'S NEW MEXICO CAMPAIGN (Part the Third)

Henry Sibley bypassed Fort Craig, occupied Albuquerque and Santa Fe, and sent troops toward Fort Union. The 1st Colorado Volunteers reached Fort Union before the Confederates. On March 26, John Chivington’s 418-man advance guard defeated Charles Pyron’s smaller force at Apache Canyon, captured about 70 Texans, and withdrew to await the main battle
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Episode at a glance

Period coveredFebruary 22–March 28, 1862
LocationThe Rio Grande valley and Santa Fe Trail, from Fort Craig through Albuquerque and Santa Fe to Fort Union and Apache Canyon, New Mexico Territory
Historical contextHenry Sibley bypassed Fort Craig, occupied Albuquerque and Santa Fe, and sent troops toward Fort Union. The 1st Colorado Volunteers reached Fort Union before the Confederates. On March 26, John Chivington’s 418-man advance guard defeated Charles Pyron’s smaller force at Apache Canyon, captured about 70 Texans, and withdrew to await the main battle

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
U.S. force left Fort UnionAbout 1,350 men on March 22
Apache Canyon casualties stated in episodeU.S.: 5 killed, 14 wounded, 3 captured; Confederate: 3 killed, 1 wounded, 71 captured

Source: Civil War Podcast episode 98 · National Park Service: Glorieta Pass teaching guide · National Park Service: Glorieta Pass battle summary · National Park Service: Fort Union · National Park Service: Second Fort Union · National Park Service: Civil War on El Camino Real · Library of Congress: Sibley’s campaign map · Library of Congress: Edward R. S. Canby portrait

Step by step

Episode flow

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

The campaign area todayMap credit ↗

Step 1 of 23

Fort Craig remained in U.S. hands

The Confederate victory at Valverde did not capture the fort or its supplies. Canby still had a strong force behind the fortifications.

Maps

The campaign area todayAfter Valverde, the Confederates moved north through Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Fort Union stood northeast of Santa Fe; Apache Canyon and Glorieta Pass were on the Santa Fe Trail between them.Map source Interactive map: drag to pan and use the +/− controls to zoom.
National Park Service map of the battles of Apache Canyon and Glorieta Pass showing the Santa Fe Trail, stage stops, and troop movements
Apache Canyon and Glorieta PassThe National Park Service map shows Chivington moving west from Kozlowski’s Ranch, the two March 26 actions in Apache Canyon, Pyron’s retreat toward Johnson’s Ranch, and the positions for the March 28 battle covered in the next episode.Open full-size map Map source
National Park Service map of the Southwest showing Sibley’s advance and the Colorado volunteers’ route to Fort Union
The Confederate advance and U.S. reinforcementsThis National Park Service map places the northbound Confederate route along the Rio Grande and the 1st Colorado’s southbound route through Raton Pass to Fort Union.Open full-size map Map source
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 map identifies the principal places in the campaign, including Fort Craig, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Glorieta, and Fort Union.Open full-size map Map source

People and command

United States

Department of New Mexico at Fort CraigEdward R. S. CanbyHeld the fort, ordered the northern depots evacuated, and planned to coordinate with Fort Union
1st Colorado Volunteers and field force from Fort UnionJohn P. SloughAbout 1,350 Colorado volunteers, regulars, and New Mexico volunteers
Advance guard at Apache CanyonJohn M. Chivington418 men, including Colorado infantry and cavalry
Fort UnionGabriel R. PaulPrepared and defended the federal depot; remained with a reduced garrison
California ColumnJames H. CarletonOrganizing a separate advance east from Fort Yuma

Confederacy

Army of New MexicoHenry H. SibleyOccupied Albuquerque and retained part of the army there
5th Texas Mounted VolunteersThomas GreenRemained near Albuquerque with six companies
4th Texas and part of the 7th TexasWilliam R. ScurryReinforced Pyron and assumed command at Johnson’s Ranch
Confederate advance toward Fort UnionCharles L. PyronAbout 400 men at Apache Canyon

Other people

  • JP
    United States

    John P. Slough

    Commanded the 1st Colorado Volunteers and the U.S. field force that marched from Fort Union

  • JM
    United States

    John M. Chivington

    Led the 418-man U.S. advance guard at Apache Canyon

  • CL
    Confederacy

    Charles L. Pyron

    Occupied Albuquerque and Santa Fe, then commanded the Confederate force defeated at Apache Canyon

  • WR
    Confederacy

    William R. Scurry

    Reinforced Pyron and took command before the main battle at Glorieta Pass

  • GR
    United States

    Gabriel R. Paul

    Regular Army colonel responsible for Fort Union and its supplies

  • Portrait of Edward R. S. Canby
    United States

    Edward R. S. Canby

    Held Fort Craig and ordered supplies removed from Albuquerque and Santa Fe

  • HH
    Confederacy

    Henry H. Sibley

    Directed the northward Confederate advance and remained at Albuquerque

  • JH
    United States

    James H. Carleton

    Organized the California Column to advance east from Fort Yuma

Historical images

Pigeon’s Ranch in 1880. Chivington withdrew here after the March 26 fighting in Apache Canyon. · Image source and credits

Pigeon’s Ranch beside the Santa Fe Trail in an 1880 photograph

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Pigeon’s Ranch beside the Santa Fe Trail in an 1880 photograph
Edward R. S. Canby remained at Fort Craig while directing the removal of supplies from depots farther north. · Image source and credits

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

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Portrait of Edward R. S. Canby in United States Army uniform
The campaign map shows the connection between the Rio Grande settlements and the road northeast to Fort Union. · Image source and credits

Historical map of Sibley’s campaign in New Mexico

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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