Episode 99 · March 28–July 8, 1862 · Glorieta Pass, Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Peralta, and the Rio Grande valley in New Mexico Territory

SIBLEY'S NEW MEXICO CAMPAIGN (Part the Fourth)

Confederate troops drove John Slough’s force from the field at Glorieta Pass, but John Chivington’s detachment destroyed their wagon train and ammunition at Johnson’s Ranch. The loss forced Henry Sibley to abandon Santa Fe and Albuquerque and retreat to Texas. The last Confederate force left New Mexico in July 1862

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Episode at a glance

Period coveredMarch 28–July 8, 1862

LocationGlorieta Pass, Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Peralta, and the Rio Grande valley in New Mexico Territory

Historical contextConfederate troops drove John Slough’s force from the field at Glorieta Pass, but John Chivington’s detachment destroyed their wagon train and ammunition at Johnson’s Ranch. The loss forced Henry Sibley to abandon Santa Fe and Albuquerque and retreat to Texas. The last Confederate force left New Mexico in July 1862

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
Scope	Reported figure
Main forces	About 850 U.S. troops under Slough; about 1,000 Confederates under Scurry
Battle losses stated in episode	U.S.: 47 killed, 78 wounded; Confederate: 42 killed, about 60 wounded

Source: Civil War Podcast episode 99 · National Park Service: Glorieta Pass teaching guide · National Park Service: Glorieta Pass battle summary · National Park Service: Civil War on El Camino Real · National Park Service: War and westward expansion · Library of Congress: Sibley’s campaign map

Step by step

Episode flow

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

Glorieta Pass battlefield todayMap credit ↗

Step 1 of 18

The main forces assembled

William Scurry had about 1,000 Confederates at Johnson’s Ranch. John Slough commanded about 1,300 U.S. troops east of Glorieta Pass.

Go to a step

Maps

Glorieta Pass battlefield todayThe March 28 fighting followed the Santa Fe Trail near Pigeon’s Ranch. Chivington’s detachment crossed the high ground south of the pass to reach the Confederate rear at Johnson’s Ranch.Map source Interactive map: drag to pan and use the +/− controls to zoom.

National Park Service map of Glorieta Pass showing the main battle and Chivington’s flanking movement to Johnson’s Ranch — **Battle of Glorieta Pass**The National Park Service map shows Slough and Scurry fighting along the Santa Fe Trail while Chivington moved around the southern flank and destroyed the Confederate supply train at Johnson’s Ranch.Open full-size map Map source

Historical map of Sibley’s campaign in New Mexico — **The campaign and retreat**This map identifies Glorieta, Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Peralta, Fort Craig, Mesilla, and Fort Bliss along the Confederate retreat route.Open full-size map Map source

National Park Service map of the Civil War campaign routes across New Mexico and neighboring territories — **The Southwest in 1862**The National Park Service map shows the Confederate advance from Texas, the Colorado route to Fort Union, and the California Column’s eastward approach.Open full-size map Map source

People and command

United States

Department of New MexicoEdward R. S. CanbyAdvanced from Fort Craig and coordinated the recovery of Santa Fe and Albuquerque

Main force at Glorieta PassJohn P. SloughAbout 850 Colorado volunteers, regulars, and New Mexico troops

Flanking detachmentJohn M. ChivingtonAbout 490 men guided by Manuel Chaves; destroyed the Confederate train

California ColumnJames H. Carleton2,350 California volunteers and regular artillery moving east from Fort Yuma

Confederacy

Army of New MexicoHenry H. SibleyOrdered the retreat from Santa Fe, Albuquerque, and New Mexico

Main force at Glorieta PassWilliam R. ScurryAbout 1,000 dismounted Texas cavalry

Confederate rightCharles L. PyronAdvanced around the U.S. left near Pigeon’s Ranch

5th Texas Mounted VolunteersThomas GreenCommanded the rear guard at Peralta

Other people

WR
Confederacy
William R. Scurry
Commanded the Confederate main force at Glorieta Pass
JP
United States
John P. Slough
Commanded the U.S. main force and later resigned his commission
JM
United States
John M. Chivington
Led the detachment that destroyed the Confederate supply train
MC
United States
Manuel Chaves
Guided Chivington’s detachment across the mountains to Johnson’s Ranch
United States
Edward R. S. Canby
Directed the U.S. counteroffensive from Fort Craig
HH
Confederacy
Henry H. Sibley
Commanded the failed Confederate invasion and retreat

Important leaders killed or wounded

Confederacy

Major John Shropshire

Commander in the attack on Artillery Hill. Killed during the failed Confederate attack

Confederacy

Major Henry W. Raguet

Commander on the Confederate left. Mortally wounded while his troops turned the U.S. position

Historical images

Pigeon’s Ranch in 1880. The main battle centered on the ranch, the road, and the surrounding slopes. · Image source and credits

The complete battle map shows the main action and the destruction of the wagon train. · Image source and credits

Canby’s converging movements forced the Confederate retreat from New Mexico. · Image source and credits

Sources and image credits

SIBLEY'S NEW MEXICO CAMPAIGN (Part the Fourth)

Episode at a glance

Forces and losses

Episode flow

The main forces assembled

Maps

People and command

United States

Confederacy

Other people

William R. Scurry

John P. Slough

John M. Chivington

Manuel Chaves

Edward R. S. Canby

Henry H. Sibley

Important leaders killed or wounded

Major John Shropshire

Major Henry W. Raguet

Historical images

Pigeon’s Ranch beside the Santa Fe Trail in 1880

National Park Service map of Glorieta Pass

Portrait of Edward R. S. Canby