THE PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN
[CIVIL WAR]. Manuscript map of Battle of Val Verde, executed at Albuquerque, New Mexico, 21 March 1862. 1 page, 4to, on ruled paper, some minor losses and separation at folds, upper right portion detached but present, remnants of mounting on verso.
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[CIVIL WAR]. Manuscript map of Battle of Val Verde, executed at Albuquerque, New Mexico, 21 March 1862. 1 page, 4to, on ruled paper, some minor losses and separation at folds, upper right portion detached but present, remnants of mounting on verso.
A RARE, CONTEMPORARY BATTLEFIELD MAP OF ONE OF THE FEW SIGNIFICANT WESTERN ENGAGEMENTS OF THE WAR. Carefully executed in ink, it traces the route of Confederate General Henry H. Sibley's raid across the Rio Grande into New Mexico, seeking to cut the Federal communications to Santa Fe. Col. E. R. S. Canby commanded the Union garrison at Fort Craig (shown here near the center of the map). On 20 February he sent out a force of some 4,000 men to attack the rebels, at first quite successfully, as the curving, receding line of the rebel forces indicates. The Federal batteries (drawn to the left of Fort Craig) opened up on Sibley's men and a Union cavalry charge sent them retreating to the Old Rio Grande riverbed. There they took up excellent defensive positions, from which Canby tried to dislodge them on 21 February ith an attack. Sharp fighting lasted throughout the day. Now the Rebels were on the offensive. A Texas contingent charged with lances, but the bluecoats rebuffed them. Near nightfall, however, a direct Rebel charge broke the Union lines and sent them in disarray back towards the Rio Grande. The Union battery came under Confederate control, and Canby sent out a white flag to halt the fighting and collect the dead and wounded on the battlefield. Both sides sustained about 100 killed and 300 wounded. The battle was also notable for "Kit" Carson's participation on the Union side, as well as the Union's odd and unsuccessful try at a "mule bomb," two pack animals loaded with six howitzer shells apiece. While the Val Verde engagement was a tactical Confederate victory, and their troops would soon go on to occupy Santa Fe, the rebel ranks were too depleted and their supply lines too uncertain to sustain their presence in New Mexico. They abandoned the state shortly thereafter.
A RARE, CONTEMPORARY BATTLEFIELD MAP OF ONE OF THE FEW SIGNIFICANT WESTERN ENGAGEMENTS OF THE WAR. Carefully executed in ink, it traces the route of Confederate General Henry H. Sibley's raid across the Rio Grande into New Mexico, seeking to cut the Federal communications to Santa Fe. Col. E. R. S. Canby commanded the Union garrison at Fort Craig (shown here near the center of the map). On 20 February he sent out a force of some 4,000 men to attack the rebels, at first quite successfully, as the curving, receding line of the rebel forces indicates. The Federal batteries (drawn to the left of Fort Craig) opened up on Sibley's men and a Union cavalry charge sent them retreating to the Old Rio Grande riverbed. There they took up excellent defensive positions, from which Canby tried to dislodge them on 21 February ith an attack. Sharp fighting lasted throughout the day. Now the Rebels were on the offensive. A Texas contingent charged with lances, but the bluecoats rebuffed them. Near nightfall, however, a direct Rebel charge broke the Union lines and sent them in disarray back towards the Rio Grande. The Union battery came under Confederate control, and Canby sent out a white flag to halt the fighting and collect the dead and wounded on the battlefield. Both sides sustained about 100 killed and 300 wounded. The battle was also notable for "Kit" Carson's participation on the Union side, as well as the Union's odd and unsuccessful try at a "mule bomb," two pack animals loaded with six howitzer shells apiece. While the Val Verde engagement was a tactical Confederate victory, and their troops would soon go on to occupy Santa Fe, the rebel ranks were too depleted and their supply lines too uncertain to sustain their presence in New Mexico. They abandoned the state shortly thereafter.