012-620216-[H]Ft Craig.20 - WDS Forgotten Campaigns

(Historical 20 minute turns) The Confederate Invasion of New Mexico meets its first obstacle: Fort Craig on the Rio Grande River. The fort is held by over 3000 Union soldiers, many of whom are New Mexico Militia and state troops. Their commander is Col E R S Canby. The Confederates are a well trained brigade under BG H H Sibley, 2590 Texans raised for the specific purpose of conquering New Mexico for the south. The southerners' ultimate objective is Santa Fe, far to the north, and they cannot well afford to have Fort Craig sitting on their supply line for very long. Reference: "Bloody Valverde" by John Taylor.