THE CIVIL WAR IN NEW MEXICO

 

Pvt Juan Archuleta
Company B
3rd New Mexico Mounted Infantry

Buried in Pueblo, Colorado

 

Most military writers have neglected the role New Mexicans played in the Civil War.  In most accounts of the Civil War in New Mexico, you will read about the exploits of the California and Colorado Volunteers and the much-vaunted  “Regulars", while the New Mexican volunteers are only mentioned in passing.

Indeed, New Mexican volunteers played a major role.  From Canada Alamosa to Socorro, from Valverde to Glorieta, New Mexican soldiers were at the vanguard of the war in the Far West.

Unfortunately, they were victims of prejudice and mistrust and made convenient scapegoats for the shortcomings of white Union officers.   In fact, it has been unanimously agreed from several unbiased accounts including white officers present, that the Battle of Valverde was being won until Colonel Canby took command of the battle.

The New Mexican soldier found himself in an unusual situation.  Think about it.  He was fighting for a country that just fifteen years before, was his enemy.  He was asked to prove his loyalty to his new country.   This, he did and then some.

This is not meant to be an in-depth account, but only a personal exploration into the past.

This site is dedicated to my great-great-great grandfathers - SGT Juan Bautista Coca of Mink’s Independent Company New Mexico Mounted Volunteers and PVT Juan Archuleta of Company B, Third New Mexico Mounted Infantry and all New Mexicans who served in the Civil War.