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

Hispano New Mexicans in the US Civil War

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 24, 2025

1. Hispano New Mexicans in the US Civil War Marker

Inscription.
In 1862, the U.S. Civil War reached New Mexico. At the Battle of Valverde near Socorro, the Texan Confederates delivered a resounding defeat upon Union forces. When Union volunteers arrived to bolster New Mexico's army, the balance tilted in their favor. Of approximately 8,000 Union soldiers, about 6,000 were Spanish-speaking Hispanos who had roots in New Mexico reaching back 300 years. Men with surnames like Chavez, Ortiz, Lovato, and Romero joined ranks with men who came west from New York, Missouri, and Tennessee.

Erected by New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Hispanic Americans • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1862.

Location. 35° 32.908′ N, 105° 49.708′ W. Marker is near Santa Fe, New Mexico, in Santa Fe County. It is at the intersection of Old Las Vegas Highway and Sleeping Dog Road, on the left when traveling west on Old Las Vegas Highway. It is just off Interstate 25 Exit 294. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Santa Fe NM 87505, 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: Cañoncito at Apache Canyon (here, next to this marker); Route 66 (approx. 3 miles away); Glorieta Pass Battlefield (approx.

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4.3 miles away); a different marker also named Glorieta Pass Battlefield (approx. 4.3 miles away); The Battle of Glorieta Pass (approx. 4.8 miles away); Colorado Volunteers at the Battles of Glorieta Pass (approx. 4.8 miles away); New Mexico Volunteers at Battle of Glorieta Pass (approx. 4.8 miles away); Sibley's Brigade Memorial (approx. 4.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Santa Fe.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Glorieta Battlefield (was approx. 4.3 miles away but has been permanently removed).

Also see . . .
1. Hispanic-Americans in the Civil War. From newly arrived Spanish immigrants in New York City to Mexicans who suddenly found themselves Americans in the wake of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo to wealthy Creole planters in the deep South, Hispanics both played an important role in and were shaped by the Civil War. (American Battlefield Trust, October 7, 2020) (Submitted on October 8, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. New Mexico Territory in the American Civil War. The New Mexico Territory, comprising what are today the U.S. states

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 24, 2025

2. Hispano New Mexicans in the US Civil War Marker

of New Mexico and Arizona, as well as the southern portion of Nevada, played a small but significant role in the trans-Mississippi theater of the American Civil War. (Wikipedia) (Submitted on October 8, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 8, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 109 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 8, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.