March 26th 1862 – Battle of La Glorieta Pass. A little known Civil War battle that took place in the southern portion of the New Mexico Territory. The Confederacy was trying to expand westward to establish more slaveholding territory. Starting on the 26th there were three days of skirmishes and fighting with the Confederates gaining the upper hand. However a Union flanking attack destroyed the Rebel’s supply train and they were forced to retreat. Even though many of the residents of the New Mexico Territory supported having a new government the Confederacy abandoned its move westward. The battle is sometimes referred to as the “Gettysburg of the West.”
This Day in History
I'm from New Mexico and have been through Glorieta Pass many times on I-25. A nice reminder of an event I was aware of in my younger years.