The Battle of Valverde

By: Sarah Launius and Montana Tullos!

Commanders!

Union- Colonel Edward Canby Confederate- General Henry H. Sibley

and Thomas Green.

How Long did it last?

February 20-21 1862

Casualties!

389 total casualties. Union- 202 dead/injured Confederate- 187 dead/injured

Outcome!

Canby asked for a truce by a white flag to remove the bodies of the dead and wounded. Left in possession of the battlefield, the Confederates claimed victory but had suffered heavy casualties.

Lasting effects!

It was the first major engagement of the civil war in the far west, the battle produced casualties but no decisive results.

Description of the battle!

Gen. Henry H. Sibley led his force of 2,500 men across the Rio Grande River and up the east side of the river to the ford at Valverde, hoping to cut Federal communications between the fort and military headquarters in Santa Fe. Union Colonel Edward Canby left Fort Craig with more than 3,000 men to prevent the Confederates from crossing the river. When he was opposite of them across the river Canby opened fire and sent Union cavalry over forcing the Rebels back. The Confederates stopped their retirement at the Old Rio Grande riverbed, which served as an excellent position. After crossing all his men, Canby decided that a frontal assault would fail and deployed his force to assault and turn the Confederate left side. Before he could do so, the Rebels attacked. Federals rebuffed a cavalry charge but the main Confederate force made a frontal attack, capturing six artillery pieces and forcing the Union battle line to break and many of the men to flee. Canby ordered a retreat. Confederate reinforcements arrived and Sibley was about to order another attack when Canby asked for a truce by a white flag to remove the bodies of the dead and wounded. Left in possession of the battlefield, the Confederates claimed victory but had suffered heavy casualties. Although the Confederates would soon occupy Santa Fe, they would have to leave New Mexico within four months.