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

Glorieta Pass Battlefield

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 24, 2025

1. Glorieta Pass Battlefield Marker, Side One

Inscription. The Civil War battle fought in this pass is often referred to as the “Gettysburg of the West.” Union forces dashed the Confederacy's strategy to seize the Southwest's major supply base at Fort Union. Brigadier General Henry Hopkins Sibley's plan envisioned gaining control of the gold fields of Colorado, mineral-rich Nevada, the ports of California, as well as the northern Mexican states of Chihuahua, Sonora, and Baja California. Their defeat at the Battle of Glorieta Pass ended the Confederate's incursion into the Southwest.

The Texas vanguard captured Santa Fe on March 10, 1862. On March 28, after two days of battle at the Glorieta Pass, Union troops, including Colorado and New Mexico volunteers, burned a poorly guarded Confederate supplies camp, spiked cannons, and slaughtered or freed hundreds of horses and mules. Within two weeks of their defeat here, Confederate troops were forced to withdraw to Texas. This battlefield was designated a National Historic Landmark on November 5, 1961.

Erected by New Mexico Historic Preservation Division. (Marker Number 116.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 28, 1862.

Location.

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35° 34.469′ N, 105° 45.535′ W. Marker is in Glorieta, New Mexico, in Santa Fe County. It is on New Mexico 50 0.1 miles south of Cur Trail, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 93 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 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Glorieta Pass Battlefield (here, next to this marker); The Battle of Glorieta Pass (approx. 0.9 miles away); Colorado Volunteers at the Battles of Glorieta Pass (approx. 0.9 miles away); New Mexico Volunteers at Battle of Glorieta Pass (approx. 0.9 miles away); Sibley's Brigade Memorial (approx. 0.9 miles away); Trash is Treasure (approx. 4.1 miles away); A Day in Pueblo Life (approx. 4.1 miles away); Precious Water (approx. 4.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Glorieta.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Glorieta Battlefield (was a few steps from this marker 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 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

Glorieta Pass Battlefield Marker, Side Two image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 24, 2025

2. Glorieta Pass Battlefield Marker, Side Two

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.)

Glorieta Pass Battlefield Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 24, 2025

3. Glorieta Pass Battlefield Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 8, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 163 times since then and 74 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 8, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.