Glimpses of the Past August 18

James Henry Carleton

Fort Union National Monument

News Release Date: August 3, 2011

Contact: Fort Union National Monument, [phone]

Glimpses of the Past

"Another Side of James Henry Carleton: Geologist, Botanist, & More"

Fort Union National Monument, National Park Service announces its monthly Glimpses of the Past presentation, featuring "Another Side of James Henry Carleton: Geologist, Botanist, and More." The program will be held at the CCHP/Santa Fe Trail Interpretive Center, 116 Bridge St., in Las Vegas, Thursday, August 18, 2011, at 7:00 p.m. Praised by some and condemned by others, Major General James H. Carleton, one of Fort Union's earliest commanding officers, left a deep and profound impact on Southwestern history. In 1862, after serving at Fort Union, Carleton orchestrated a controversial relocation program of the Mescalero Apache of New Mexico and Navajo peoples of eastern Arizona onto the Bosque Redondo Reservation. But there was much more to Carleton than his military career. Join Southwest historian and researcher, Mr. Rick Thompson for a first-person interpretation of the lesser known aspects of the man known as James H. Carleton.

Mr. Rick Thompson is a Vietnam Veteran, and for the past thirty years, has participated in hundreds of historical re-enactments, volunteer programs, and lectures depicting various aspects of "Old West" history. Mr. Thompson is currently working on a book about James H. Carleton and is a volunteer docent at Ranchos de Las Golondrinas and at the Pueblo Indian Cultural Center.

The Glimpses of the Past series are free in partnership with the Citizens Committee for Historic Preservation. For more information, contact Fort Union National Monument at [phone], or visit our website at www.nps.gov/foun.