Glorieta Pass is commonly referred to as the “Gettysburg of the West.” It was here that Federal forces were finally able to turn back the Southern invasion of New Mexico. The two small armies commanded by Confederate lieutenant colonel William Scurry and Union Colonel John Slough totaled only about 2,500 troops, but the fighting was critical to the outcome of the war in the West. The battle began with a preliminary encounter at Apache Canyon on March 26. March 28 was the decisive day of the conflict, as Scurry attacked Federals resting and filling canteens near Pigeon’s Ranch. The fighting dragged on throughout the day, as the Confederates gradually forced Slough to retreat eastward. When a detachment of Union infantry burned their supply train, the Rebels were forced to retreat back into Texas.