The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-04-22
MINERS AND COWBOYS.
With the Regulars, They Kept New Mexico
for Uncle Sam.

Tor tnCle Saui
EDITOR NATIONAL. TRIBUNE: do not
suppose more than one per cent. of the COM
rades know anything about the campaign
in New Mexico, yet it was one OF vast I'M
portance, though of short duration.
1t is estimated that ri the breaking out OF
the war there was Government property IN
the Territory TO the amount of $4,000 000,
which the rebel authorities coveted. The
population of New Mexico, Colorado and
Arizona was largely in sympathy with the
Conederates.
But there were some LOYAL men in Colorado,
and Gov. Wm. Gilpin, recognizing the state
OF affairs, proceeded TO organize and equip
the LIST Colo. 1t was composed of miners
and cowboys, John p Slough Colonel was
raised during the Summer of 1861, and
about the 1st of Septem Der went into bar
racks at Camp Weld, near Denver, where II
was drilled and disciplined untli the last
o. February. 1862.
A call Tor assistance from the Governor OF
New Mexico. and orders from Gen. Hunter,
al that time commanding the Department OF
Kansas, started it across the dreary, barren
plains and over rugged mountains en- route
for Fort Union, \. NJ, $50 miles away.
In Just IL days it went into camp just
outside The walls of Fort Union a bomb
proof earihwork, garrisoned by 400 Regulars
and commanded by Col. @. Il. Paul, 18th \. NJ.
Col. John 2. Slough, by right of seniority,
took command. After a rest OF five days we
started for Santa Fe, of which place the Con-
federates had Just taken possession.
When Texas seeded from the Union
there were several forts on her western
frontier occupied by Z. S. troops. Fort
Thorn was larrisoned by some five COM
e -, ] ~, I Tod
by Col H. H. Siblev. He straightway sur
rendered the garrison 10 the Coniederaes,
and was commissioned Brigadier-General in
the c. S. A.
lie at once organized an expedition for
the conquest of New Mexico and Arizona.
His force consisted OF $500 mounted Texans
and Is pieces of artillery. Leaving San An
tonic. Tex, in the Fall of 1861, by the Goth
OF February, 1862, be had reached Fort
Craig, n. NJ, quite an extensive adobe
structure on high bluff on The west bank
of the Rio Grande, $50 miles south of Santa
Fe
Col. T. r. S. Candy. 18th q. s., command
ing he Department OF New Mexico, had not
quite 1900 troops mostly New Mexico
militia, and eight pieces OF artillery, with
which 10 oppose Sibley and his Texas
Rangers. On April q, at Val Verde, IA
short distance from Fort Craig, there occurred
a severe engagement OF about seven hours
duration, resulting in Csnby's defeat.
This victory enabled Sibley to get between
Candy and his depot of supplies at Fort
Union, $50 miles farther north. Cuhero,
Socorro, Albuquerque and Santa Fe were
soon IN possession OF the enemy, and Sibley
was preparing 10 complete the conquest of
the Territory by capturing Fort Union,
which he was confident of accomplishing
without much trouble.
lie started Tor Fort Union, 90 milen out OF
Sania Fe His route entered a spur of the
Rocky Mountains by the way OF Apache
Canyon, where, on MarcL %, his advance
guard OF 500 men, under Mai. Pyron, was
met by Col. J. p Slongh's advance-guard,
under Maj. John NJ. Chiyington, LIST Colo
This engagement is known in history as the
battle OF Apache Canyon. 1t took place in
deep mountain gorge, where the rebels
thought they had position absolutely i'm
prepnable.
GHivingtOn. however thought differently.
His force was made mp Of $50 e. 5. Regu-
lar cayalrymen, one company IL mounted,
ana three companies OF infantry OF the Isl
Colo. Chiyington deployed his Regular cav
airy and the infantry as skirmishers, and
then ordered Capt. Cooks company Of to
charge.
Chiyington, six feet and four inches IN
hight. dressed III full uniform, and mounted
upon large white horse, was splendid
target ior the rebels. but they never touched
him. The onset of the Pixies Peakers was
too much for the gunners, and the battery
IN the path soon was driven to new posi-
tion. Again our men charged. The rebs
were soon IN full flight TO join their main
badv AT Santa Ea