Historical Marker
Valverde Battlefield
The first major battle of the Civil War on New Mexico soil occurred at Valverde ford on February 21, 1862. A Confederate force of Texas Volunteers under General H. H. Sibley defeated Union forces commanded by Col. E.R.S. Canby stationed at Fort Craig. From here, Sibley marched north and was defeated at Glorieta Pass near Santa Fe.
New Mexico was one of the last territories to become a state, gaining statehood in 1912. Before that, it had been part of the Spanish Empire, Mexico, and the United States Territory of New Mexico.