The Battle of Glorieta Pass

The Santa Fe Trail wasn't just a place of commerce and trade; it was also a place of conflict. Along the Santa Fe Trail, two sides fought for their own gains and their own causes. The American Civil War played out here along the Santa Fe Trail over three days in what is called the Battle of Glorieta Pass.  

In 1861, Confederate President Jefferson Davis approved Brigadier General Henry Hopkins Sibley’s plan to raise a force of Texans to invade New Mexico Territory. His objectives were to capture military supplies from Union forts in New Mexico and to recruit New Mexicans, Utah Mormons, and Colorado miners to the Confederate cause. The mineral wealth of the West would enrich the Confederacy and, if the ports of California could be taken, the South would have blockade-free international trade. Jefferson Davis's decision instead set forth a chain of events that would make the Battle of Glorieta Pass the "Gettysburg of the West."  

If you would like to learn about the Civil War in New Mexico, hike the Battlefield Trail or attend a ranger-led tour. The Battlefield Trail is locked behind a gate, so be sure to call the visitor center at (505)-757-7241 to get the combination for the lock.