Civil War in the Southwest: Held Annually in March
at Picacho Peak State Park, in Picacho, Arizona.
When people think of the Civil War, their concept of the area included
stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mississippi River. That is where
the majority of the fighting took place. However, a complete picture of
the war cannot be grasped without looking at the nation as a whole, including
the territories, and examining the effect that the Civil War had on these
areas. Arizona is one of these areas, largely forgotten when it comes
to the Civil War. This web page will tell the story of Arizona's involvement
in the conflict.
In the late 1850s and early 1860s Arizona was desperately lobbying to
become a territory, separate from New Mexico. It did everything in its
power, but was hindered by national politics it could not control. When
the Civil War broke out in 1861, Arizona allied itself with the South
and allowed the Confederacy to take control of the territory. On February
14, 1862, Arizona officially became a Confederate Territory. Union forces
from California engaged the Confederate Army, under orders to reacquire
the area for the United States. Battles occurred at Stanwix Station, Picacho
Pass and Apache Pass before the Confederates were expelled.
Arizona's role in the Civil war was brief but significant. The details
of what transpired during the time can help create a better picture of
the Civil War as a whole.