Battle of Valverde
Valverde ford, Rio Grande, Socorro County, New Mexico, USA
What happened
A Confederate army from Texas under General Henry Sibley, with Colonel Thomas Green in the field, fought Union troops and New Mexico volunteers under Colonel Edward Canby, including Kit Carson's regiment. Sibley invaded New Mexico Territory, hoping to take Santa Fe and then push on toward Colorado and California. His army moved to the Valverde ford to cut Union supply lines near Fort Craig. The Confederates captured six Union guns and broke the Union line, and Canby retreated into the fort.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was a Confederate victory, but Sibley could not take Fort Craig and had lost many horses and mules. It was a key step in the New Mexico Campaign.
What came next
Sibley took Albuquerque and Santa Fe, but at Glorieta Pass in March his supply train was destroyed. His army retreated to Texas, and the campaign ended as a Union victory.
Did you know?
A company of Confederate lancers charged a Colorado company and was driven back, the first and last lancer charge of the American Civil War.
Timeline
- 21 February 1862The Confederates win at Valverde.
- 13 March 1862Confederates reach Santa Fe.
- 28 March 1862The Battle of Glorieta Pass.
- 1 July 1862Confederates withdraw into Texas after Mesilla.