VCF-COLORADO:::THE CIVIL WAR YEARS

The Civil War Years in Colorado

The Civil War years (1861–65) in Colorado were part of a broader geopolitical contest: control of the American Southwest¹. The war began in 1861, just two years after the Colorado Gold Rush and mere months after Congress established the Colorado Territory¹.

Although the territory was largely pro-Union, the Confederacy and its local sympathizers immediately realized Colorado’s strategic and monetary value and wanted to take advantage of it¹. Federal troops from Colorado turned back the Confederate invasion in New Mexico, ensuring that the Rocky Mountain gold mines remained under US control¹. This paved the way for further conquest and development in Colorado and the rest of the West¹.

One of the significant events during this period was the Battle of Glorieta Pass, referred to as the “Gettysburg of the West.” This battle pitted Union troops from Colorado against Confederates from Texas¹. Although it was a stalemate on the field, the Colorado troops destroyed the Confederate supplies, ending the Confederacy’s ambition to take the western territories¹.

The Civil War had wide-reaching effects, especially on Indigenous people. The Homestead Act, passed during the war in part to promote free labor over slave labor in western territories, was a direct assault on Indigenous people’s sovereignty that increased tensions between whites and Native nations¹. Before the war was even over, Union troops committed the Sand Creek Massacre, one of the worst atrocities on US soil and an event that would influence future conflicts between Americans and Indigenous people¹.

As it has elsewhere, the Civil War left a complicated legacy in Colorado, one that laid the foundation for the successes and struggles of the state to the present day¹.

During the American Civil War, Colorado played a significant role in the broader geopolitical contest for control of the American Southwest. Here are some key events:

1. Battle of Glorieta Pass: Often called the “Gettysburg of the West,” this battle took place in spring 1862 south of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Union troops from Colorado faced off against Confederates from Texas. Although it ended in a stalemate on the field, the Colorado troops successfully destroyed Confederate supplies, thwarting their ambition to take the western territories¹.

2. Sand Creek Massacre: A tragic event that occurred during the war, Union troops committed the Sand Creek Massacre even before the war was over. It remains one of the worst atrocities on U.S. soil and significantly influenced future conflicts between Americans and Indigenous people¹.

3. Colorado’s Strategic Value: Recognized as a U.S. territory in February 1861, Colorado had both strategic and intrinsic value. Federal troops from Colorado turned back the Confederate invasion in New Mexico, ensuring that the Rocky Mountain gold mines remained under U.S. control. This paved the way for further conquest and development in Colorado and the rest of the West¹.

4. Confederate Sympathizers: During the late 1850s, many Southerners migrated to Colorado Territory, seeking new opportunities, including work in the newly discovered gold fields. Colorado was the only non-Southern state to have two ex-Confederate soldiers elected as state governors².

These events shaped Colorado’s history during the Civil War years and left a complicated legacy that continues to impact the state today. 🌄📜 If you’d like more details or have any other questions, feel free to ask! 😊