Glorieta in Santa Fe County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

The Battle of Glorieta Pass

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 24, 2025

1. The Battle of Glorieta Pass Marker

Inscription. In March of 1862 the Civil War Battle of Glorieta Pass was fought around this area. Often referred to as the “Gettysburg of the West”, this little known yet decisive battle was one of the few fought in the West. Much of the battlefield is now located within the boundaries of Pecos National Historical Park.

Why are the monuments here?
Fighting around this location marked the farthest advance of the Confederacy in the Southwest. Confederate forces would get no closer to Fort Union or the gold mines of Colorado. Instead, Federal Colorado and New Mexico Volunteers destroyed the Confederate supplies and pursued the Texas Volunteers back to Texas.

Interested in learning more about the Battle of Glorieta Pass? Stop by the Pecos National Historical Park Visitor Center, which is located on NM Highway 63, two miles south of the village of Pecos.
• Visitor center open daily 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Extended hours during the summer.
• The park is fee free.
• For more information: call 505-757-7241 or visit www.nps.gov/peco

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in

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the National Historic Landmarks series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1862.

Location. 35° 34.051′ N, 105° 44.766′ W. Marker is in Glorieta, New Mexico, in Santa Fe County. It is on New Mexico 50 0.8 miles west of La Cuerva Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 179 NM-50, Glorieta NM 87535, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern New Mexico.

It is also in the American Southwest,

in the Mountain West,

and on the Santa Fe Trail Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also the Republic of Texas.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Colorado Volunteers at the Battles of Glorieta Pass (here, next to this marker); New Mexico Volunteers at Battle of Glorieta Pass (a few steps from this marker); Sibley's Brigade Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Glorieta Pass Battlefield (approx. 0.9 miles away); a different marker also named Glorieta Pass Battlefield (approx. 0.9 miles away); Trash is Treasure (approx. 3.3 miles away); A Day in Pueblo Life (approx. 3.3 miles away); Precious Water (approx. 3.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Glorieta.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Glorieta Battlefield (was approx. 0.9 miles away but has been permanently removed).

Also see . . . Battle of Glorieta Pass. Although many associate the Civil War with eastern battlefields like Antietam or the Wilderness, the fight over slavery

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 24, 2025

2. The Battle of Glorieta Pass Marker

in the United States extended much further west. In March of 1862, the war brought a battle to Glorieta Pass. Some refer to the battle as the Gettysburg of the West due to its overall significance to the war. The Confederates campaigned to take control of the West, which would have greatly improved their chances of success. However, in just three days of tough fighting, the Union Army ruined the Confederate plans and sent them retreating back southwards. (National Park Service) (Submitted on October 8, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 7, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 152 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 7, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 2. submitted on October 8, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.