SENATE MEMORIAL 36

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2005

INTRODUCED BY

Phil A. Griego

A MEMORIAL

RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CIVIL WAR BATTLES AT GLORIETA PASS AND ENCOURAGING THE REMEMBRANCE OF THESE BATTLES.

     WHEREAS, New Mexicans engaged in significant Civil War battles culminating on March 26 and March 28, 1862 near Glorieta pass; and

     WHEREAS, the confederate army entered New Mexico from the south at Las Cruces, winning a battle at Valverde on February 21, 1862; and

     WHEREAS, the confederate army overtook Belen and Albuquerque on March 2 and Santa Fe on March 10, 1862; and

     WHEREAS, the confederate army moved the seat of government from Santa Fe to Las Vegas after taking Santa Fe; and

     WHEREAS, the union army, which included New Mexico troops and the brave soldiers of the Colorado volunteers, defeated the confederate forces in battle at Apache canyon, thirteen miles from Santa Fe, on March 26, leaving thirty-two to seventy confederate soldiers dead and capturing seventy-two confederate soldiers; and

     WHEREAS, only five union soldiers lost their lives in the battle at Apache canyon; and

     WHEREAS, the confederacy aimed to take the gold mines of Colorado, the seaports and gold of California and all the land between New Mexico and California in order to finance the confederacy; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico forces for the union won a second battle on March 28 at Glorieta, leaving twenty-seven confederate soldiers dead; and

     WHEREAS, the battle of Glorieta pass proved to be a turning point in the Civil War by preventing acquisition of gold for the confederate cause or any acquisitions further west; and

     WHEREAS, the battle of Glorieta pass has not received adequate recognition for its historical significance; and

     WHEREAS, the descendants of Civil War soldiers owe a debt of gratitude for their sacrifices and bravery;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico state flag in Santa Fe be lowered to half-mast on March 10 and raised in Las Vegas as a reminder of the days when the seat of New Mexico government was moved to Las Vegas; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that New Mexicans be encouraged to visit the battlefield and burial sites at Glorieta on March 28, 2005 at 1:30 p.m. to join in a memorial ceremony for those who lost their lives at Glorieta pass; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the governor of Colorado and the mayors of Las Vegas and Santa Fe.

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