The Forts
The war in
New Mexico could not have been fought without the forts which were scattered
across her territory. They were initially built to provide protection
against Indians but would play crucial roles against Sibley's Confederate
invasion from Texas.
Fort
Craig
Named for LtCol
Louis S. Craig of the 3rd United States Infantry, 1st U.S. Dragoons, who was
shot and killed by two deserters he was trying to apprehend in California on
June 6, 1852. Established April 1, 1854 on the abandonment of Fort Conrad nine
miles to the north as protection against the Apache. Fort Craig was the
most vital fort in New Mexico's role in the Civil War. It was from here
that New Mexican Volunteers and U.S Regulars marched to face the Confederates
at Valverde.
Disestablished March 3, 1885.
Fort
Fillmore
Dedicated September 23, 1851 by LtCol Dixon S. Miles, 3rd United States Infantry for protection against Indians. Named after President Millard Fillmore. Located on the left bank of the Rio Grande, six miles south of Mesilla. Abandoned July 26, 1861 by Union troops and taken over by the invading Confederate forces.
Fort
Marcy
Established
in 1846 by BrigGen Stephen Watts Kearny in Santa Fe on the site of the former
Spanish Palace of the Governors. Served as headquarters for the Union
Army until it moved to Fort Union.
Fort
McLane
Established September
16, 1860 fifteen miles south of the Santa Rita Copper mines at Apache Tejo,
south of the town of Hurley by Major Isaac Lynde, 7th U.S. Infantry [coward of
Mesilla]. Named after Captain George McLane of the Mounted Riflemen
killed in action against the Navajo on October 13, 1860. This fort was
abandoned on July 3, 1861 because of the Confederate invasion and the garrison
moved to Fort Fillmore.
Fort
Stanton
Established
March 19, 1855 on the Rio Bonito by Col. John Garland of 8th U.S. Infantry to
control the Apache. Named for Captain Henry W. Stanton, 1st U.S. Dragoons
killed by Apaches near the area of the post. Evacuated because of the
Confederate invasion of New Mexico. The garrison attempted to destroy the
fort upon retreating but not successfully. The Confederates occupied the
fort for a short time in their march through New Mexico.
Fort
Thorn
Established Christmas Eve 1853 by Captain Israel Richardson, 3rd U.S. Infantry, on the right bank of the Rio Grande at Santa Barbara to protect against Apaches and general outlaws. Named for 1st Lt Herman Thorn of the 2nd U.S. Infantry drowned in the Colorado River. Briefly occupied by Confederate troops during the invasion.
Fort
Union
This was the
most important fort next to Fort Craig in New Mexico's role in the Civil War.
Now a national park, this fort was established by LtCol. Edwin Vose Sumner of
the 1st U.S. Dragoons twenty-four miles northeast of Las Vegas for protection
against the Jicarilla Apache and Utes. The Union moved their headquarters
here during the Civil War since LtCol. Vose considered Santa Fe a den of vice
and temptation.
Fort
Fauntleroy (later Fort Wingate)
Established
on August 31, 1860 by Captain William Chapman, 5th U.S. Infantry. Named
for Col. Thomas Fauntleroy, 1st U.S. Dragoons who joined the Confederacy.
The fort was then named Fort Lyon on September 25, 1861 for BrigGen. Nathaniel
Lyon killed at Wilson's Creek, Missouri on August 10, 1861. Evacuated by
Union forces upon the Confederate invasion of New Mexico. The fort was
still referred to as Fauntleroy in all official dispatches.