The
Sibley Expedition into New Mexico is one of the most obscure yet important
aspects of War Between the States history. Confederate General Henry
Hopkins Sibley devised a brilliant plan to move a Brigade sized element
through New Mexico to capture U.S. forts and re-supply his troops along
the way. His ultimate target being the Colorado gold-fields and the
Southern sympathetic miners he surmised were in Denver City. Once he
secured the gold-fields for the Confederate Cause, he would flesh out
his command with volunteers and then march on California and seize warm
water ports to circumvent the Union blockade that was starting to take
effect on the Eastern Seaboard.
In December 1861, General Sibley, commanding
the Army of New Mexico, issued a proclamation that indicated intention
to claim New Mexico in the name of the Confederacy. Within two months,
Sibley advanced into New Mexico with intentions to take Santa Fe and
the Union storehouses at Ft. Union. The invasion route closely followed
the west bank of the Rio Grande. An obstacle facing the Sibley Expedition
was Ft. Craig with its 3800-man Garrison. Sibley faced a dilemma; he
could not bypass Ft Craig and leave a sizeable Union force behind him.
The worst case scenario was this force could easily cut off his supply
line and his way back into Texas. Further it allowed this sizable force
to attack him at will. Sibley attempted to lure Canby and his Northerners
out of Ft. Craig to do battle on Sibley's terms. 
On
19 February 1862, Sibley camped at the sand hills east of Ft Craig.
It was assumed this would cut communications between
Ft Craig and Union troops in Santa Fe.
The
next day, Union troops mounted a sortie from the fort but were repulsed
by a ferocious Confederate artillery barrage. The Confederates then
moved their position about six miles north to Valeverde Ford. The Union
once again mounted an attack but was eventually repelled by Col. Tom
Green who took command while Sibley recuperated from illness. Canby's
troops returned to Ft Craig, whipped but refusing to surrender.
Sibley formally entered Santa Fe on 11
March 1862. Union troops garrisoned there had destroyed a vast amount
of provisions Sibley had hoped to secure for resupply of his forces.
Add to this, advance elements of Sibley's own command had eaten or used
up supplies that the Union had not managed to destroy.
Short
of food and a variety of other supplies, Sibley sent elements of his
command out in several directions to forage food from less than cooperative
locals and keep tabs on Canby's movements.
On
March 26th, Confederates following the Santa Fe Trail were attacked
in Apache Canyon by mounted Colorado Volunteers under the infamous John
Chivington. After a short but fierce engagement, Confederate troops
under Charles Pyron were forced to withdraw back down the trail. A courier
was sent to Col "Dirty Shirt" Scurry to come up with reinforcements
and the Battle for Glorieta Pass was underway.
No fighting took place on the 27th, as
both sides were awaiting reinforcements, not to mention fighting exhaustion
aggravated by snow. By the 27th, Confederate forces swelled to around
1100 men. The Union forces were also reinforced bringing their total
force to around 1300. On the 27th, Confederates under the command of
Col William Scurry attacked the main Federal positions at Pigeons Ranch.
After heavy fighting throughout the day, the Union forces were driven
back and forced to retreat to Kozlowskis Trading Post. This would have
been a Confederate victory at this point, had Maj. Chivington managed
to located and burn the Confederate supply wagons.
Without supplies, facing starvation and
hypothermia, the Confederates reluctantly retreated back to Santa Fe.
Ultimately, Sibley began a withdrawal back to Texas, thus ending the
Confederate attempts to invade the American West.
An unsung hero of the Sibley Expedition -
Major John S. Shropshire
Major Shropshire exhibited the finest attributes of a Confederate Officer. During heavy fighting at Valeverde he managed to lead a trapped Confederate force to safety by shooting his way through the lines, organizing the bewildered men and then shooting his way out again. At the Battle of Glorieta Pass he led several charges into impregnable Union positions before finally being shot dead. Major Shropshire was buried in proximity of Pigeons Ranch prior to the Confederate Retreat. His grave was lost until 1989, when he and a number of other interred Confederates were discovered.
Links of Interest
Confederate Memorial Day Ceremony