The Battle of Glorieta Pass: A Gettysburg in the West, March 26-28, 1862

by Thomas S. Edrington, John Taylor

In 1862 a small army of Texans invaded New Mexico in order to win it for the Confederacy. Following the third day of the Battle of Glorieta Pass, the Texans realized their "Here we are between two armies, one double ours and the other four times our number, 1,000 miles from home, not a wagon, not a dust of flour, not a pound of meat." While the Confederates had forced a Union retreat on the rocky, forested battlefield around Pigeon's Ranch, they could not press their advantage. The most crippling blow had come in the surprise destruction of all seventy supply wagons at Johnson's Ranch by Colorado Volunteers. So complete was their devastation that during a truce in the early evening, the Texans even had to borrow Union shovels to bury their dead.
"A superbly researched and well-written study of the Battle of Glorieta Pass that is likely to be definitive."--Jerry Thompson, author of Confederate General of the Henry Hopkins Sibley

Genres: American Civil War, History, Civil War, Nonfiction, Transmississippi, Military History

186 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1998

Reviews

[Wayne Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have visited the battle area a number of times. I heartily recommend reading this book before visiting the site. There should be better markers to commemorate this important Civil War event.

[Brian Miracle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book covers the Civil War Battle of Glorieta Pass in New Mexico Territory. Although the battle has been referred to as Gettysburg in the West, the authors debunk that notion.

The book covers the New Mexico campaign prior to the battle, the battle itself, and the aftermath. Five of the book’s ten chapters are devoted to the battle. There are good maps of the campaign and the battle.

This is one of only a few books on Glorieta Pass. I recommend it, both for general knowledge of the campaign and for understanding the battle.

[Jennifer Bohnhoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had a few interesting tidbits about the battle of Glorieta Pass. It was an easy read, with nice pictures and maps.

[Roger Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a decedent that fought this battle, James Sampson. I have read the book boldly they rode, which the writer who was a lieutenant in the battle makes the claim the union won the battle. In the book the Battle of Glorieta Pass gives resounding evidence that the confederates won the battle and were heavily outnumbered. But like many Civil War Conflicts never followed up a victory, with an extended victory campaign. The book give an overall of the battle, in such a way it is easy to see how fighting in one spot in the battle would give you a different perspective. Enjoy old west history this is a must read!

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on the battle that took place in Glorieta Pass area of New Mexico. Contains just about everything you want to know about the battle. Maps are good at displaying the positions of troops involved. Book contains names of casualties with the order of battle section.
Visited the area before reading the book. Wished I had read it first before going. Saw Fort Union, Fort Craig, and Glorieta. After reading this book I think the small marker next to the road is a shame, they deserve better.