The plan when these boys marched from San Antonio and marched all the way out there, was to secure New Mexico for the Confederacy. Then they were planning on going up to Colorado and seizing the silver and gold mines for the Confederacy. Then they were planning on heading to California and the west coast and claiming it for the Confederacy.
Our boys got all the way to Val Verde and succeeded in
that battle. They then marched up to Glorieta, close to Santa Fe,
where the main battle took place. During this battle, our own Major
John Shropshire was killed, and is buried out there. Our boys won
the battle at Glorieta Pass, but could not move forward with their plan
because all their supplies were destroyed in the rear in Santa Fe.
Instead, they had to all walk back to Texas, many dying on the way.
In
1929, the Texas Division UDC started plans to place a monument to the men
that died at Glorieta Pass on March 28, 1862. Remember this was during
the depression, so they did not have the funds available to place it quickly.
However, Texas Division members persevered and on October 1, 1939, ten
years later, the monument was finally placed at a cost of $80.35.
Also, in June 1987, a mass grave was discovered on the
Glorieta battlefield. They identified 28 of the Confederate Soldiers
from the 4th, 5th and 7th Regiments of the Texas Mounted Volunteers.
In April 1993, their remains as well as many unknown remains were reinterred.
Ex-President of Texas Division, Sherry Davis, and various members attended
the ceremony and dedication of the monument to these men.
For years, the Glorieta
Battlefield Coalition, along with the Pecos National Historical Park,
has been instrumental in preserving and protecting the Santa Fe Trail and
the Glorieta Battlefield. They have slowly acquired the land and
are now in the process of carving out an interpretive trail, approximately
two miles long, with 14 markers. Each marker will have explanation
boards telling what happened at that sight. Texas Division has donated
$500.00 towards the construction of this interpretive trail in the past.
They are also going to have three "resting" vistas, one for Texas, one for Colorado, and one for New Mexico. The best location for one of these vistas will have a panoramic view overlooking Pigeon's Ranch, Sharpshooter's Ridge and the final Confederate line at Scurry's Charge before the collapse of the Union line at Pigeon's Ranch. We, as Texans want the best location and we want to get there before New Mexico and Colorado.
The Park Service will prepare the site and place the benches and landscaping. The site will also contain three interpretive boards that will tell the story of why our Texas boys were there and they will tell about the significance of the battle. Dr. Don Frazier, Professor of History at McMurry University and trusted friend and supporter of UDC, author of Blood and Treasure, the definitvie work on the New Mexico campaign, will be preparing the narrative for these boards. Each of these interpretive panels will cost approximately $1,500.00. One of the panels has already been purchased by another group. That means there are still two that need to be purchased so that this perfect site for the Texas Vista is assured.
Therefore, as the 2007-2008 Texas Division President's Project, I have chosen to work towards raising funds to purchase the remaining two panels. We need to raise $3,000.00 by January. I would like to be able to raise 50% of that today, to send and definitely secure that beautiful sight for the Texas Vista.
* For individuals that donate $25.00 you will have your name in the Battle Cry and at the 2008 Convention, receive acknowledgement and a "Texas Vista Volunteer" certificate on President's Evening.
* For chapters that donate $100.00 or more, you will have your name in the Battle Cry and at the 2008 Convention, receive acknowledgement and a "Glorieta Guards" certificate on President's Evening.
* For individuals or chapters that donate $500.00 you will have your name in the Battle Cry and at the 2008 Convention, receive acknowledgement and a "Major John Shropshire Award" certificate on President's Evening.
Lt. Col. John Robert Baylor who was commander of the forces wrote "I have taken prossession of the Territory; I trust a force sufficient to occupy and hold it will be sent by the government... " This force did not come. Their spirit is still there, waiting for "a force sufficient to hold". We, the Daughters of the Texas Division are that force. This is Texas and it is ours to glorify and memorialize. We do not want to let them down again. This is why I ask you to join with me in publicly supporting this project.
Battle of Glorieta Pass ~ Pigeon's Ranch Trail