Many of the volunteers were not quite convinced of the serious of the war since they read neither English or Spanish, nor were they aware of the actual meaning of enlisting. For almost two hundred years their method of warfare had been the alcalde system. The alcalde of the village kept the muskets, lances, arrows, bows, in the town hall and doled them out after an Indian raid. The men of the town gathered together, elected a leader, unless the rico of the town decided to go along, then he was automatically the leader,the Indians were tracked down, a battle fought, about-face for home, back went the muskets lances, bows and whatever arrows and rifle balls and powder that were not used, until the next time...It is understandable then why hundreds would take french leave for the weekends to visit their homes. They could not understand why they had to sit around and wait. If a battle was to be fought, why not fight it, get it over with, and return home? (F. Stanley).
New Mexico Soldiers
According
to official records, 6,561 troops [New Mexican and white] fought in New Mexico
of which 277 were killed in action. New Mexico herself raised five
regiments of volunteers, one regiment of militia, one militia battalion, a few
independent companies of militia, and four independent cavalry companies. This comprised close to 4,000 soldiers.
First Regiment
Raised July through August of 1861 for three years. Colonel Kit Carson was regimental Colonel.
Second Regiment
Raised in Santa Fe July through August of 1861 under Colonel Miguel Pino. Engaged Confederates at Valverde, Peralta and Socorro.
Third Regiment (Mounted)
Organized at Fort Union and Albuquerque, N.M., August 30-October 10, 1861 under Colonel Jose Guadalupe Gallegos. Duty at Fort Union until February 1862. Fought at Valverde February 21, 1862. Pursuit of Confederate forces April 13-22. Mustered out May 31, 1862.
Company B Muster Roll and short
history
Fourth Regiment
Organized September 1861 through February 1862 at Fort Union. Battalion strength, it was comprised of three full companies and remnants of a fourth. Commanded by Colonel Gabriel R. Paul. Engaged Confederates at Valverde, Glorieta Pass and Pigeon Ranch.
Fifth Regiment
Battalion strength. Raised in Albuquerque in November 1861 for three years. Consisted of two full companies under Colonel B. S. Roberts.
Perea's Battalion New Mexico
Militia
Raised November through December 1861 for three months. Commanded by LtCol Francisco Perea.
First New Mexico Cavalry
Organized May 31, 1862 with remnants of the First, Second, Fourth and Fifth New Mexico Infantry Regiments. Mustered out September 30, 1866. This was an Indian fighting regiment.
First Militia Regiment
Raised November 1861 for three months. Commanded by LtCol Diego Archuleta.
Captain John. H. Mink's Independent
Cavalry Company
Also known as Mink's Spies and Guides. Raised in Santa Fe in July 1861.
Have the distinction of being the first Nuevo Mexicanos to engage the
Confederates in New Mexico at Canada Alamosa
Captain James "Paddy"
Graydon's Spy Company
A colorful character, this Irish immigrant served in the 1st U.S. Dragoons before offering his services to Governor Connelly of New Mexico. The following are excerpts from Jerry D. Thompson's book, Desert Tiger, Captain Paddy Graydon and the Civil War in the Far Southwest: "Graydon was to command an "Independent Spy Company" to act as the eyes and ears of Col. Edward Richard Sprigg Canby's Federal Army. Paddy hurried south to the sun-baked adobe village of Lemitar, scattered along the windswept right bank of the Rio Grande, then the county seat of Socorro County, population 780. Here the twenty-nine-year-old Captain persuaded eighty-four Nuevo Mexicanos to join him in the Federal Army for three months. Most of the recruits were small farmers and laborers in their late twenties and thirties--much older than other Civil War recruits. The men agreed to furnish their own horses and equipment, all for forty cents a day. Officers in the newly-formed company included 2d Lt. Juan Arroyo, 37, and 1st Lt. Felipe Gonzales, 34. From Lemitar, Graydon led his men downriver through Socorro to Fort Craig. Here on 19 October 1861 the men were mustered into the army and had their horses and equipment appraised."
"Graydon's method of dealing with deserters became almost mythological. While in camp a mile above Fort Craig shortly before the Battle of Valverde, two of Paddy's men were reported missing early one morning at roll call...Graydon sent a squad of men after the deserters while another squad was put on "special duty digging two graves." When the fugitives were returned before dark, a court was hastily assembled with Graydon as "president...middle member [and] Judge advocate." In such a "unanimous court the issue was not doubtful, and before the evening sun declined behind the mountains, the whole astronomy" of the two deserters "was totally eclipsed."
Captain Antonio Maria Vigil's Company New Mexico Militia
Raised in Santa Fe in July 1861 for three months.
Captain Santiago L. Hubbell's
Company New Mexico Militia
Raised in July 1861 for three months (?) Official records indicate this was a three month company however, this unit was present and engaged Confederates at Valverde.
Alarid's Independent Company New
Mexico Militia
Raised at Santa Fe on 10 December 1861. Mustered out 28 February 1862.
Duran's Company New Mexico Militia
Gonzalez's Independent Company New
Mexico Militia
Organized at Fort Craig on 23 November 1861. Mustered out 28 February 1862.
Haspell's Independent Company New
Mexico Mounted Volunteers
Raised at Albuerque 23 July 1861. Engaged with Confederates near Fort Craig. Mustered out 30 October 1861.
Mora's Independent Company New
Mexico Militia
Raised at Mora on 14 November 1861. Mustered out 28 February 1862.
Romero's Independent Company New
Mexico Militia
3 month company. 1861
Tafoya's Independent Company New
Mexico Militia
Organized at Fort Craig on 20 November 1861. Mustered out 28 February 1862.
Simpson's Independent Company New
Mexico Spies and Guides
Vidal's Independent Company New
Mexico Mounted Volunteers
Raised at Santa Fe on 12 July 1861. Garrisoned at Fort Craig.
Mustered out 12 October 1861.