[93] Giddings was tried by a military commission on October 28, the results of which were not found. The next day he notified Canby that one of the scouting parties, which had been down the Pecos Valley and within 65 miles of Fort Stanton, returned to Fort Union with good news. One side of the angle is composed of 3 rooms, two of which are 16 feet by 18 feet and one 12 feet by 16 feet, the other side is composed of five rooms, two of which are 14 feet by 16 feet, one 12 by 16 feet, one 16 by 16 feet, and one 8 by 16 feet. Chapman was also assigned the duties of acting inspector general at Camp Cameron (formerly Camp Chapman), the camp of instruction at Fort Union, when Major Paul was transferred to Santa Fe. Carleton did not approve of a general hospital at the hot springs near Las Vegas, far from any military post. [316] They would continue to raid along the supply lines to New Mexico for several more years. The wagonmasters, however, preferred to follow the shorter Cimarron Route to avoid the difficult road over Raton Pass. At least five contract trains had arrived at Fort Union between July 18 and early August. After the collapse of a lengthy tunnel (later described as "several thousand feet" long) [157] from the earthwork to a spring on Wolf Creek, a well was being dug inside the fortification to supply water for the garrison in case of siege. Some Confederate leaders mistakenly assumed that the New Mexicans could easily be dissuaded from their attachment to the Union. [122] There continued to be unconfirmed rumors that Texans were heading toward Fort Union along the Pecos and Canadian rivers and into Colorado Territory along the Arkansas River. unless they have passports signed by myself." [36] Perhaps this early return of Duncan's large command was also in response to renewed concerns about a possible Texan invasion of the territory. Even though representatives of some tribes were asking for peace, Carleton advised that "the winter time is the time to make war upon them. Each morning one captain or lieutenant was designated to serve as officer of the day and one second lieutenant was assigned as officer of the guard. [170] A Confederate officer on Sibley's staff, Captain Trevanion T. Teel, First Regiment of Texas Artillery, later confirmed Chapin's fears. It was not clear how many different units of 200 worked each day nor how many soldiers total were engaged in construction. In short order, Carleton effected a redistribution of the troops in the department to place them in position to deal with Indians as well as Texans, should they attempt another invasion. The remains of the dead teamsters at Lower Spring were buried by Davis's troops. The flour arrived on October 10, and the companies moved out the same day. The post was completed and occupied by troops 15 Apr 1864. [145] One of the few descriptions of the fieldwork, the second Fort Union, was provided by a Confederate reporter. A short history of Fort Cr"aig is Marion C. Grinstead, Life and Death ofa Frontier Fort: Fort Craig, New Mexico, 1854-1885, Publications in History, VII (Socorro, New Mexico: Socorro County Historical Society, 1973). [55], Because most of the soldiers were occupied in construction, Chapman had established "mounted pickets out five or six miles from the post on the North, East and South, occupying prominent points for their lookouts, from which they can see a large extent of country." . The post surgeon, James Thomas Ghiselin, reported "that the building used for a Hospital at this post is old and so badly out of repair the sick are made very uncomfortable after every rain storm by the excessive dampness of the walls and flooring." [270] The exact location of these quarters in relation to the fieldwork is unknown. However, Canby was able to intercept the Confederates at the Val Verde ford, resulting in a battle on February 21. to discontinue the work. Having marched to within eighty miles of Fort Union, we were again met by the enemy from Fort Union, and after three battles with them, all of us who were not killed or taken prisoners were obliged to destroy everything they had, and flee to the mountains for their lives, and get out of the country, the Lord only knows how. In addition, "the Hospital, Commissary and Quarter Master's Buildings are entirely unfit for the purposes for which they are required." Lieutenant Sullivan Heath, First California Volunteers, led a detachment of 25 soldiers from Fort Union to Hatch's Ranch and beyond to investigate and recover the livestock if possible. . Their supplies were carried in three six-mule army wagons and on six pack mules. The six-pounder was situated at the base of the hills and the twelve-pounder at the crest. Work on the other structures could proceed at a more leisurely pace, without working 24 hours per day. The CCC built roads, buildings and . [45] These troops were paroled, which meant they could return to their homes but could not participate in military operations, and moved to a camp near Fort Union to await transportation to the States. The supply trains were still encouraged to follow the Raton or Mountain Route because it was considered safer, especially since the establishment of Fort Wise (later Fort Lyon) near Bent's New Fort at the Big Timbers in late August 1860. have secretly and industriously endeavored to keep alive all the elements of discontent and fan them into flames." Acting Inspector General Gurden Chapin, Seventh Infantry, understood that the Confederate conquest of New Mexico was "a great political feature of the rebellion. The fort was reestablished as Fort Canby in 1863 as a base for Carson's operations against the Navajo. Colonel Carson and his battalion of First New Mexico Volunteers were directed to begin preparations to move to Navajo country and undertake a campaign designed to bring that tribe to reservation status as well. Colonel Canby did not endear the army to the wealthy class of New Mexico when he ruled that peons who enlisted in the volunteers were not to be released for that reason except by writ of habeas corpus from the U.S. courts in the territory. All other commanders of volunteers in the department were enjoined to watch for them and to prevent, by whatever means necessary, any more revolts. Still the rumors of imminent invasion continued. [56]. [13] The shortage of horses to mount troops in New Mexico, both regulars and volunteers, remained a problem throughout the era of the Civil War. Shoemaker irrigated a garden at his ranch, and the encampment of surrendered troops discovered on September 14 that they had no water supply in the bed of Wolf Creek. Carson was to do whatever was necessary to inflict punishment "for the atrocities they have already committed." [189]. If each unit of 200 men worked two shifts in 24 hours, which seems likely, there would have been 600 at work. Prior to the military moving to this area, it was occupied by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Because his horses were "broken down" and the enemy had scattered in all directions, Carson started back to Fort Bascom on November 27. The era of the "Indian wars" continued for another decade on the plains and longer in the Southwest. Part of Cape Disappointment State Park. . Confirmation of the Texas invasion of New Mexico came to Fort Union on August 4, 1861, when word arrived of the surrender of the garrison of Fort Fillmore by Major Isaac Lynde, Seventh Infantry, to the rebel forces commanded by Lieutenant Colonel John R. Baylor, Second Texas Mounted Rifles, CSA. [319] Marston undoubtedly called upon Post Commander Selden while he was at the post. They were, despite their striking successes, still in dire straits. If the seizure is made upon information one-half of the proceeds will go to the informer. All intoxicating liquors introduced without authority, and all wagons and other vehicles, animals or other property, used in carrying on this illicit traffic, will be seized and sold, and the proceeds applied to the benefit of the sick at the post and camp. [193] Canby was not moving, however, and the defense of the territory fell primarily on the troops at Fort Union. "I venture to say," he wrote to Chavez, "that the volunteer soldiers of your command have never been so well fed, clothed and quartered as at present, and never will be again after they leave the Service of the U. [262] If they slipped past Fort Union, the commander at Fort Lyon, Colorado Territory, was requested to send them back. For the most part, the troops in New Mexico ended the Civil War years as they had begun, protecting the routes of supply and the settlements from Indian attacks. It turned cold and snowed on them during the night after the battle. The Union troops located along the way attempted to destroy what supplies they could not carry with them and retreated ahead of the Texans. Additional troops were sent to Fort Union to provide better protection of the Santa Fe Trail, where Brigadier General Carleton understood "that the Indians of the plains are very troublesome and menace the safety of the trains coming to New Mexico." Canby's directions were clear: "The whiskey is entirely in your own hands. Colonel Scurry reported 36 killed and 60 wounded in his command and stated that Union killed must have exceeded 100. The troops from Fort Union did go to the Canadian River and follow it a considerable distance. As each day passed, Chapman expressed relief that there was no news of an advancing Texan force. This force was to make certain that the mails and supply trains were not interrupted by Indian or Texan raiders. When Putnam was released was not determined, but Holmes was "discharged from custody" on July 24. [296] The identity of those who robbed Otero's train was not determined and Otero's property was not recovered. Shoemaker informs me he has been in undisturbed possession of his garden for ten years past, and no one has ever interfered with his property before." He was not pleased with the situation he found at Fort Union. The men were back at their construction duties on Monday, September 23. Canby." [192]. If he failed to do so, Chapman declared he would close the Spiegelberg store and remove the agent from the post. Any volunteer who lost or damaged any item issued to him was to be charged for that article on payday. The Archaeological Conservancy transferred ownership of Fort Craig to the BLM in 1981. Carleton, Superintendent of Indian Affairs James L. Collins, and Bishop Jean Baptiste Lamy of Santa Fe went to meet with the Mescaleros and work out the details for their reservation. As Colonel Loring awaited a decision on his resignation, the command of the department was gradually changed. Jan 2018 Friends. The roof was to be made of the materials comprising the roof of the old house. One of those privates was selected to serve as orderly to the camp commander. Throughout New Mexico, recruitment of more volunteers continued. [214] His men, however, suffered intensely from want of food, blankets, and medical supplies. Gen. Henry H. Sibley led his force of 2,500 men across the Rio Grande River and up the east side of the river to the ford at Valverde, north of Fort Craig, New Mexico, hoping to cut Federal communications between the fort and military headquarters in Santa Fe. Lynde's surrender left the lower Rio Grande valley open to Confederate advance as far as Fort Craig at the north end of the Jornada del Muerto, approximately 30 miles south of Socorro. Three companies were transferred from Fort Craig to Fort Union to assist with "the hostilities of the Indians of the plains." There can be little doubt that the resignation of more than a dozen officers in the department had consequential psychological effects on the remaining officers and enlisted men. [206] At Johnson's Ranch, three Texans were killed, several were wounded, and 17 were captured. The fort is said to be the site where, on 15 Nov 1805, members of the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery first stepped into the breaking surf of the Pacific Ocean. Canby realized that the Confederates could be caught between two Union forces and forced to fight on two fronts at the same time. They encountered no problems, and the supplies were soon unloaded at the depot. One of the Texan volunteers, Private George M. Brown, who was among the prisoners taken at Apache Canyon, later explained the impact this reversal had on the rebels. [97] Speakman was released several weeks later after he swore an oath of allegiance to the United States. It is free to visit and open during daylight hours. While all the changes that came with the outbreak of the Civil War were occurring at Fort Union and within the Department of New Mexico, there was also a change in the civilian government of the territory. There was an exchange of some prisoners, [223] and Canby paroled and sent out of New Mexico the remaining Confederate prisoners ("about 500"). Red, white, and blue Texas Lone Star battle flags rippled in the sharp wind of . Upon Carson's return to Fort Union in mid-September, Colonel St. Vrain resigned as colonel of the First Regiment of New Mexico Volunteer Infantry. Carleton informed Adjutant General Thomas that the probability of another Texas invasion was "so remote as to justify me in employing the troops under my command in chastising the hostile tribes of Indians" in the department. The prolonged engagement in labor on the new fort reduced the time available for military training. This probably gave the garrison at the post a feeling of security, while enemy troops were led to believe that the best way to deal with the situation was to lure the command away from the post for engagement. He reorganized the New Mexico volunteers into a regiment of cavalry command by Kit Carson. At least two of the trains had followed the Cimarron Route, and it was believed the others might do the same. not to Sell or dispose of a drop of any kind of intoxicating liquor to any of the soldiers." [133], While troops were working on improving the route of supply to New Mexico, Canby reorganized the military department. Because it appeared that no wagon train would be secure without military protection, Carleton announced that a company of troops would leave Fort Union on the first and fifteenth of each month, beginning March 1, to escort all parties wishing to cross the plains as far as Fort Larned or until troops from Fort Larned were met on the way. The command, designated the California Column, was placed under the command of Colonel James H. Carleton and started eastward through New Mexico in March. When Baylor arrived at the springs near midday, Lynde surrendered his command without further fighting. They had to retreat to Santa Fe for supplies. Grover had been assigned to another station, but his move had been delayed to allow him to continue with the project. Canby, who was killed in the Modoc Indian War. In the spring of 1863 he planned to send a major expedition against the Navajos and force them onto a reservation. They were directed by Major Chapman to report all soldiers who failed "to perform their duties properly, that they may be brought to trial and punishment for their neglect." This was named Camp Easton, which later became Fort Bascom. It will be necessary in case of an attack by a superior force to burn this post lest the enemy should get possession of it. Kit Carson, First Cavalry, N.M. After a day of both sides resting and receiving reinforcements, on March 28 the Confederates advanced down the canyon and attacked the united Union force commanded by Slough. There were varieties of prejudices, between Anglos and Hispanics on one hand and between regulars and volunteers on the other, factors which make it difficult to assess accurately the extent of actual, as compared to imagined, discrimination. . Slough, whom Canby charged with violating orders by marching his troops away from Fort Union, resigned his commission effective April 9. Captain Davis, joined by a company of troops that had been sent out from Fort Larned after hearing of the attack at Lower Spring, accompanied the eastbound trains that had joined him along the way as far as Fort Larned. The suspension continued in New Mexico Territory until July 4, 1865, when General James H. Carleton, restored the writ for the civil courts. [148]. They were well supplied with ammunition in case of an encounter with hostile forces. [13], There were a total of ten districts in the department at various times; most were merged after the Confederate invasion. [6] Intending to invade Colorado to seize the gold and silver mines located there, Sibley arrived outside Fort Craig on February 15. On the other hand, for many of the New Mexican volunteers, Chapman's derogatory remark may have been true. [1] Canby was ordered to send all of his regular infantry to Kansas and raise two New Mexico regiments as replacements; however, Canby was reluctant to do so, both because he feared a Confederate invasion from Texas and also he didn't trust the local population, which he suspected of disloyalty. [279], When Captain Plympton left Fort Union for Camp Easton, on August 4, 1863, Lieutenant Colonel William McMullen, First California Volunteer Infantry, became commanding officer at Fort Union. He assured Thomas that, "once we can get all our supplies in, and get the merchants trains off the road, we can commence upon the Indians in earnest." [113], A short time later Spiegelberg & Bros., sutler for the New Mexico Volunteers, was accused of violating the rules prohibiting the sale of liquor to the troops at Camp Chapman. Other citizens claimed that Speakman was "a good character and believe the accusation false." Major Chapman asked Canby for authority to clean out the whiskey traders. Selden had permitted three other officers to occupy rooms in his building, and they all lost their quarters, too. After Lieutenant Colonel Baylor had taken possession of the southern part of New Mexico Territory, he proclaimed on August 1 the Confederate Territory of Arizona (comprising approximately the southern half of the present states of New Mexico and Arizona, everything south of 34 north latitude) and himself as military governor. He had no objection to building new quarters and barracks near the fieldwork. [4] Due to Lynde's surrender, several forts in southeastern New Mexico were abandoned, which gave the local Apaches an opportunity to raid local settlements. Additional protection was provided by troops from Fort Larned, who escorted supply trains westward from that point until they met up with troops from Fort Union. [199] After capturing 71 prisoners, Chivington decided to stop the pursuit because the sun was setting and he feared that Confederate reinforcements might be near. Colonel Slough estimated Union losses at 28 killed, 40 wounded, and 15 prisoners, and Confederate casualties of at least 100 killed, 150 wounded, and several prisoners. [153], On January 1, 1862, Colonel Canby notified the department from Fort Craig that "information from below states that 1200 men with 7 pieces of artillery are on the march to this place." After more than a decade, facilities at Fort Union were finally provided that were commensurate with its missions. [144]. Before that happened, most of the Civil War battles in New Mexico had been fought. The ditch is 20 feet wide at the top, 16 feet at the bottom, and 12 feet deep. The troops at Fort Larned, Kansas, were escorting the mails from Walnut Creek to Fort Lyon. Chapman, who as post commander had no authority over the department quartermaster or depot, requested Colonel Canby's intervention so "the work may go on as rapidly as possible." When that reduction occurred by transfer to other stations, Colonel Canby directed that Major Chapman exercise "the utmost vigilance . Union Colonel Edward R.S. Shoemaker responded that he could outfit two regiments of volunteer infantry, although some of the equipment would be used and of an outdated style. It had to contend with an invading Confederate force during the New Mexico Campaign of the American Civil War from mid-1861 to early 1862, then with Apache tribes during the remainder of the conflict. By that time some of the New Mexican troops were getting weary from waiting and wondering when the Texans would come. Canby informed Chapman that the volunteers were not assigned to Fort Union for the purpose of commanding the post, but "in any combined operations the senior must command." Carleton planned to place the Mescaleros on a reservation and have them plant crops in the spring. ", The criticism of the fieldwork and other buildings at the post was not confined to military reports. Fort Union was in the second or eastern district, encompassing the region "east of the Pecos river, Moro Peaks and Sangre de Christo Mountains, and north of Anton Chico." [5], No further Confederate reinforcements arrived that year, and Baylor's battalion was tied down fighting Apache bands in southern New Mexico. New barracks and other buildings were constructed, and two batteries (Battery Harvey Allen and Battery O'Flyng) with a total of five rifled guns in concrete emplacements were installed. Paul was convinced "that the officers of the Company are to blame in the case, . He believed Fort Union was the best location in the department for the general supply depot and appealed for authority to begin construction of necessary buildings. Chapman apparently could not spare any men from the construction of the earthwork to work on temporary shelters. He deployed some of his men up each side of the canyon, above the elevated range of the artillery, from where they fired down on the Confederates. These troops, carrying 100 rounds of ammunition each and 50 rounds for the howitzers, left the fort on August 4. There was a long historical pattern in the Southwest of groups or bands raiding and trading with each other, with treaties being made and broken. . [227]. Second. He warned them not to listen to Confederate partisans, pointing out that the Texans were old enemies of New Mexico. There are two sets of Company Quarters and one set of Officers' Quarters of four rooms, inside the work which are put up temporarily, which to render substantial buildings would have to be rebuilt: the only board floors in the Garrison are in the two set of officers outside the field works, all the rest are dirt floors. Other reports of lost sheep placed the total at 10,000 to 15,000 head. "Run no unnecessary risks," Chapman ordered, "as your only object will be to arrest the above named persons, and it should be effected as quietly and expeditiously as possible."
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