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.
Threat: Pigeon's Ranch, the very heart of the Glorieta Pass battlefield, is suffering from neglect and public indifference. An adobe building that was a battle landmark and served as a field hospital sits only feet away from State Route 50. Vibrations from the traffic are slowly weakening the structure.
Although a state plan to widen the highway through the heart of the battlefield has largely been abandoned, the road's poor design and heavy traffic mean that the entire area is unsafe for visitors to explore on foot. Pecos National Historic Park, which oversees the location, conducts tours, but they must be scheduled ahead of time and are largely conducted from vans driving along the roadway. Only a rerouting of the highway around Pigeon Ranch, which may be possible following a two-year federal traffic study, would allow visitors to explore this site safely.
CWSAC classified Glorieta Pass as a Priority I, Class A battlefield, its highest designation.
