February 21, 1862---The Battle of Val Verde

FEBRUARY 21, 1862:        

The Battle of Val Verde. 

Having taken Tucson and established their Territorial capital at Mesilla, Confederate troops under General Henry Hopkins Sibley attack Union troops commanded by Colonel Edward R. S. Canby near Fort Craig in the New Mexico Territory in an attempt to take the fort, an attempt which failed. 

The battle produced heavy casualties. The Union suffered 68 killed, 160 wounded, and 35 missing out of 3,100 engaged. The Confederates suffered 31 killed, 154 wounded, and 1 missing out of 2,600 troops. 

After withdrawing, Sibley's men continued up the course of the Rio Grande, taking both Albuquerque and Santa Fe.