Socorro – Socorro’s unique history includes a short stint under the Confederate Flag during the Civil War. And in Socorro’s singular fashion, this scene is recreated each year during the Battle of Socorro. Not surprisingly, although some details of the battle may differ, the results are always the same. The photos below were shot in 2006.
Reenactors with the Co. B, 5th Regiment Texas Mounted Volunteers, (TMV) –Old Fort Craig Frontier Garrison in partnership with the City of Socorro, present the “Reenactment of the 1861-62 Confederate New Mexico Campaign February 23-25, 2007 at Socorro, New Mexico.”
<table cellpadding=0 border=0 cellspacing=3><tr><td width=160 valign=top align=center><a href=http://sonewmex.com/images/IMG_2264_web.jpg><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/IMG_2264_web_tn.jpg border=1 alt="Click to see larger image"></a><br><font face="Arial Narrow" size=2>Union troops await the enemy and prepare for battle near Socorro's Historic Plaza.</font><br><br><br><a href=http://sonewmex.com/images/IMG_2266_web.jpg><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/IMG_2266_web_tn.jpg border=1 alt="Click to see larger image"></a><br><font face="Arial Narrow" size=2>Union Officers discuss their battle strategy while waiting for the Rebels to arrive.</font><br><br><br><a href=http://sonewmex.com/images/IMG_2268_web.jpg><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/IMG_2268_web_tn.jpg border=1 alt="Click to see larger image"></a><br><font face="Arial Narrow" size=2>Union soldiers begin their advance on the town plaza to meet the Rebel force.</font><br><br><br><a href=http://sonewmex.com/images/IMG_2270_web.jpg><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/IMG_2270_web_tn.jpg border=1 alt="Click to see larger image"></a><br><font face="Arial Narrow" size=2>After initial battle on Socorro Plaza Union and Rebel commanders discuss terms of a cease-fire.</font><br><br><br><a href=http://sonewmex.com/images/IMG_2276_web.jpg><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/IMG_2276_web_tn.jpg border=1 alt="Click to see larger image"></a><br><font face="Arial Narrow" size=2>Union officers wait for their troops to withdraw from plaza and reform one block north.</font></td><td valign=top>During the summer of 1861 through spring 1862 a brigade of Confederate Texas Mounted Volunteers invaded the New Mexico Territory to liberate it from the Federal government. By February 1862 the Confederate invasion had progressed up the Rio Grande Valley to Fort Craig where the Union Army was determined to make a stand in an effort to keep the Rebels from advancing farther north into the New Mexico Territory. Indeed, in the weeks preceeding the rebel's arrival, the Union army had collected a garrison of nearly 4,000 troops at Ft Craig in the expectation that they'd be able to engage the rebels and stop their advance there.
Unfortunately, the large force stationed at Fort Craig was essentially out-flanked by rebel troops who chose to travel north on the east side of the Rio Grande rather than the west side. That decision put the Rio Grande between the rebels and the Union soldiers. As a result, by the time the Union Army realized what was happeing and got their act together enough to cross the river and attack the Rebel column (who'd been sneaking by for hours basically unchallenged), many of the rebels had already bypassed Fort Craig and gone on to the north. Still, the Union Army was able to inflict heavy casualties on the reb's slower moving supply lines. They captured many of the Rebels supply wagons loaded with food, guns and ammunition. That loss left the Rebel forces needing food and supplies of all types as they moved north. That explains why the Rebels decided to attack the large and propsering town of Socorro a few days later.
Events at Escondida Bridge include a reenactment of the Battle of Vicksburg with Rio Grande serving as the Mississippi. Living history, contests and music continue till about 4 pm when the action moves to Socorro where the running battle for Socorro is reenacted from Clarke Field to the plaza. A Fandango at the Garcia Opera House follows.
On Sunday, activities move back to the Escondida Bridge with period church service and the 145th anniversary of Battle of Valverde. For more information, call the Socorro Heritage & Visitor Center, 835-8927 or visit www.socorronm.gov (http://www.socorronm.gov/)
For more details about the rebel's plans for the 2007 Battle for Socorro, visit the web site of Co C, of the 4th Texas Mounted volunteers, here (http://www.swcp.com/~pvtpappy/PageMill_Resources/4thTXNewsletter.html). You can also find their 2007 Battle of Socorro schedule page here (http://www.swcp.com/~pvtpappy/PageMill_Resources/4thTXNewsletter.html). Unfortunately, the defending Union army doesn't seem to have a web site -- or at least not one we could find easily. The soldiers at Ft Craig are apparently still working on that project 145 years later. That's government efficiency for you! ;)</td><td width=160 valign=top align=center><a href=http://sonewmex.com/images/IMG_2282_web.jpg><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/IMG_2282_web_tn.jpg border=1 alt="Click to see larger image"></a><br><font face="Arial Narrow" size=2>Union army is defeated again after firing on Rebels just one block north of the plaza.</font><br><br><br><a href=http://sonewmex.com/images/IMG_2294_web.jpg><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/IMG_2294_web_tn.jpg border=1 alt="Click to see larger image"></a><br><font face="Arial Narrow" size=2>Confederate Flag is raised over Socorro after the Union army surrenders.</font><br><br><br><a href=http://sonewmex.com/images/IMG_2298_web.jpg><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/IMG_2298_web_tn.jpg border=1 alt="Click to see larger image"></a><br><font face="Arial Narrow" size=2>It wasn't just soldiers who were gathered on Socorro's Plaza that day to witness the events. </font><br><br><br><a href=http://sonewmex.com/images/IMG_2308_web.jpg><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/IMG_2308_web_tn.jpg border=1 alt="Click to see larger image"></a><br><font face="Arial Narrow" size=2>Local ladies were among the spectators who were on the plaza during the battle.</font><br><br><br><a href=http://sonewmex.com/images/IMG_0216_web.jpg><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/IMG_0216_web_tn.jpg border=1 alt="Click to see larger image"></a><br><font face="Arial Narrow" size=2>A solitary Union bugler plays taps at the conclusion of the Battle of Socorro.</font></td></tr></table>
Socorro – Socorro’s unique history includes a short stint under the Confederate Flag during the Civil War. And in Socorro’s singular fashion, this scene is recreated each year during the Battle of Socorro. Not surprisingly, although some details of the battle may differ, the results are always the same. The photos below were shot in 2006.
Reenactors with the Co. B, 5th Regiment Texas Mounted Volunteers, (TMV) –Old Fort Craig Frontier Garrison in partnership with the City of Socorro, present the “Reenactment of the 1861-62 Confederate New Mexico Campaign February 23-25, 2007 at Socorro, New Mexico.”
<table cellpadding=0 border=0 cellspacing=3><tr><td width=160 valign=top align=center><a href=http://sonewmex.com/images/IMG_2264_web.jpg><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/IMG_2264_web_tn.jpg border=1 alt="Click to see larger image"></a><br><font face="Arial Narrow" size=2>Union troops await the enemy and prepare for battle near Socorro's Historic Plaza.</font><br><br><br><a href=http://sonewmex.com/images/IMG_2266_web.jpg><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/IMG_2266_web_tn.jpg border=1 alt="Click to see larger image"></a><br><font face="Arial Narrow" size=2>Union Officers discuss their battle strategy while waiting for the Rebels to arrive.</font><br><br><br><a href=http://sonewmex.com/images/IMG_2268_web.jpg><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/IMG_2268_web_tn.jpg border=1 alt="Click to see larger image"></a><br><font face="Arial Narrow" size=2>Union soldiers begin their advance on the town plaza to meet the Rebel force.</font><br><br><br><a href=http://sonewmex.com/images/IMG_2270_web.jpg><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/IMG_2270_web_tn.jpg border=1 alt="Click to see larger image"></a><br><font face="Arial Narrow" size=2>After initial battle on Socorro Plaza Union and Rebel commanders discuss terms of a cease-fire.</font><br><br><br><a href=http://sonewmex.com/images/IMG_2276_web.jpg><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/IMG_2276_web_tn.jpg border=1 alt="Click to see larger image"></a><br><font face="Arial Narrow" size=2>Union officers wait for their troops to withdraw from plaza and reform one block north.</font></td><td valign=top>During the summer of 1861 through spring 1862 a brigade of Confederate Texas Mounted Volunteers invaded the New Mexico Territory to liberate it from the Federal government. By February 1862 the Confederate invasion had progressed up the Rio Grande Valley to Fort Craig where the Union Army was determined to make a stand in an effort to keep the Rebels from advancing farther north into the New Mexico Territory. Indeed, in the weeks preceeding the rebel's arrival, the Union army had collected a garrison of nearly 4,000 troops at Ft Craig in the expectation that they'd be able to engage the rebels and stop their advance there.
Unfortunately, the large force stationed at Fort Craig was essentially out-flanked by rebel troops who chose to travel north on the east side of the Rio Grande rather than the west side. That decision put the Rio Grande between the rebels and the Union soldiers. As a result, by the time the Union Army realized what was happeing and got their act together enough to cross the river and attack the Rebel column (who'd been sneaking by for hours basically unchallenged), many of the rebels had already bypassed Fort Craig and gone on to the north. Still, the Union Army was able to inflict heavy casualties on the reb's slower moving supply lines. They captured many of the Rebels supply wagons loaded with food, guns and ammunition. That loss left the Rebel forces needing food and supplies of all types as they moved north. That explains why the Rebels decided to attack the large and propsering town of Socorro a few days later.
Events at Escondida Bridge include a reenactment of the Battle of Vicksburg with Rio Grande serving as the Mississippi. Living history, contests and music continue till about 4 pm when the action moves to Socorro where the running battle for Socorro is reenacted from Clarke Field to the plaza. A Fandango at the Garcia Opera House follows.
On Sunday, activities move back to the Escondida Bridge with period church service and the 145th anniversary of Battle of Valverde. For more information, call the Socorro Heritage & Visitor Center, 835-8927 or visit www.socorronm.gov (http://www.socorronm.gov/)
For more details about the rebel's plans for the 2007 Battle for Socorro, visit the web site of Co C, of the 4th Texas Mounted volunteers, here (http://www.swcp.com/~pvtpappy/PageMill_Resources/4thTXNewsletter.html). You can also find their 2007 Battle of Socorro schedule page here (http://www.swcp.com/~pvtpappy/PageMill_Resources/4thTXNewsletter.html). Unfortunately, the defending Union army doesn't seem to have a web site -- or at least not one we could find easily. The soldiers at Ft Craig are apparently still working on that project 145 years later. That's government efficiency for you! ;)</td><td width=160 valign=top align=center><a href=http://sonewmex.com/images/IMG_2282_web.jpg><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/IMG_2282_web_tn.jpg border=1 alt="Click to see larger image"></a><br><font face="Arial Narrow" size=2>Union army is defeated again after firing on Rebels just one block north of the plaza.</font><br><br><br><a href=http://sonewmex.com/images/IMG_2294_web.jpg><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/IMG_2294_web_tn.jpg border=1 alt="Click to see larger image"></a><br><font face="Arial Narrow" size=2>Confederate Flag is raised over Socorro after the Union army surrenders.</font><br><br><br><a href=http://sonewmex.com/images/IMG_2298_web.jpg><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/IMG_2298_web_tn.jpg border=1 alt="Click to see larger image"></a><br><font face="Arial Narrow" size=2>It wasn't just soldiers who were gathered on Socorro's Plaza that day to witness the events. </font><br><br><br><a href=http://sonewmex.com/images/IMG_2308_web.jpg><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/IMG_2308_web_tn.jpg border=1 alt="Click to see larger image"></a><br><font face="Arial Narrow" size=2>Local ladies were among the spectators who were on the plaza during the battle.</font><br><br><br><a href=http://sonewmex.com/images/IMG_0216_web.jpg><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/IMG_0216_web_tn.jpg border=1 alt="Click to see larger image"></a><br><font face="Arial Narrow" size=2>A solitary Union bugler plays taps at the conclusion of the Battle of Socorro.</font></td></tr></table>