Rebels on the Rio Grande: The Civil War Journal of A.B. Peticolas

by Don E. Alberts

Rebels on the Rio The Civil War Journal of A. B. Peticolas by Dr. Don E. Alberts. In 1862 Confederate volunteers from Texas under the command of Brigadier General Henry Hopkins Sibley invaded the New Mexico Territory. Sibley’s Brigade hoped to take Fort Craig and Fort Union and then head north to the Colorado Territory and its valuable mineral resources. The journal of Sergeant A. B. Peticolas is a rare personal account of this little known episode of Civil War history. Despite the fact that he often wrote at night by candlelight after long days of marching through rough country, Peticolas was a keen observer and a good writer. He was also an artist of some skill whose drawings and journal sketches are included here. He presents not only vivid descriptions of the battles but also interesting impressions of New Mexico and of the people he encountered along the way. Don Alberts used his considerable skills as a professional historian and author to bring this rare first person account of the Confederate invasion of New Mexico to life. His introduction provides the reader with details of Peticolas' background and experience, along with a history of the Sibley campaign leading up to the Battle of Valverde, the event which begins the Peticolas journal. Peticolas' observations, extensively annotated by Alberts, offer an unparalleled and fascinating view of soldier life during the Civil War. Alberts also adds details of Peticolas' prominent postwar career as a lawyer and judge in Texas.

Genres: American Civil War, History

204 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1984

Reviews

[Dave Peticolas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the Civil War diary of Alfred Brown Peticolas, my great-great-something grandfather. I bought it mainly because of the relation, but it ended up being interesting in itself. It also includes sketches he made during the period.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some Civil War actions were fought in the West. Texas forces invaded New Mexico in an attempt to annex that state as well as Arizona and California. Peticolas took part in that expedition.