MARCH 28, 1862.--Engagement of Glorieta, or Pigeon's Ranch,
N. Mex.

    No. 1.--Col. John P. Slough, First Colorado Infantry.
    No. 2.--Lieut. Col. Samuel F. Tappan, First Colorado Infantry.
    No. 3.--Maj. John M. Chivington, First Colorado Infantry.

                                  KOZLOWSKI'S RANCH, March 29, 1862.
    COLONEL: Learning from our spies that the enemy, about 1,000 strong, were in the Apache Ca�on and at Johnston's Ranch beyond, I concluded to reconnoiter in force, with a view of ascertaining the position of the enemy and of harassing them as much as possible; hence left this place with my command, nearly 1,300 strong, at 8 o'clock yesterday morning. To facilitate the reconnaissance I sent Maj. J. M. Chivington, First Regiment Colorado Volunteers, by a road running to the left of the ca�on and nearly parallel thereto, with about 430 officers and picked men, with instructions to push forward to Johnson's. With the remainder of the command I entered the ca�on, and had attained but a short distance when our pickets announced that the enemy was near and had taken position in a thick grove of trees, with their line extending from mesa to mesa across the ca�on, and their battery, consisting of four pieces, placed in position. I at once detailed a considerable force of flankers, placed the batteries in position, and placed the cavalry--nearly all dismounted--and the remainder of the infantry in position to support the batteries.
    Before the arrangement of my forces was completed the enemy opened fire upon us. The action began about 10 o'clock and continued until after 4 p. m. The character of the country was such as to make the engagement of the bushwhacking kind. Hearing of the success of Major Chivington's command, and the object of our movement being successful, we fell back in order to our camp. Our loss in killed is probably 20, including Lieutenant Baker, of Company I, Colorado Volunteers; in wounded probably 50, including Lieutenant Chambers, of Company C, Colorado Volunteers, and Lieutenant McGrath, U. S. Army, who was serving with Captain Ritter's battery; in missing probably 30. The enemy's loss is in killed from 40 to 60 and wounded probably over 100. In addition we took some 25 prisoners and rendered unfit for service three pieces of their artillery. We took and destroyed their train of about 60 wagons, with their contents, consisting of ammunition, subsistence, forage, clothing, officers' baggage, &c. Among the killed of the enemy 2 majors, 2 captains and among the prisoners are 2 captains and 1 lieutenant. During the engagement the enemy made three attempts to take our batteries and were repelled in each with severe loss.
    The strength of the enemy, as received from spies and prisoners, in the ca�on was altogether some 1,200 or 1,300, some 200 of whom were at or near Johnson's Ranch, and were engaged by Major Chivington's command.
    The officers and men behaved nobly. My thanks are due to my staff officers for the courage and ability with which they assisted me in conducting the engagement.
    As soon as all the details are ascertained I will send an official report of the engagement.
        Very respectfully,
                                                    JNO P. SLOUGH,
        Colonel, Commanding Northern Division, Army of New Mexico.
    Col. E. R. S. CANBY,
        Commanding Department of New Mexico.

                 HEADQUARTERS NORTHERN DIVISION, U. S. FORCES,
                                      San Jos�, N. Mex., March 30, 1862.
    SIR: As the department commander is at Fort Craig, beyond the lines of the enemy, I have the honor to submit direct a synopsis of the military operations of the division since its organization at Fort Union. When an opportunity occurs a complete report will be submitted through the proper channels.
    After the arrival of the First Regiment Colorado Volunteers at Fort Union I found that Colonel Paul, Fourth Regiment New Mexico Volunteers, had completed the preliminary arrangements for throwing a column of troops into the field, and by seniority of volunteer commission I claimed the command. Accordingly the following division was organized and I assumed the command of the whole: First Colorado Volunteers, aggregate 916; Captain Lewis' battalion Fifth Infantry and Captain Ford's company volunteers (Fourth New Mexico), three companies, 191; Captain Howland's cavalry detachment of First and Third Cavalry and Company E, Third Cavalry, 150; Captain Ritter's battery, four guns, 53; Lieutenant Claflin's battery, four small howitzers, 32. Total, 1,342.
    The movement commenced from Fort Union on Saturday, the 22nd March, and the command encamped at Bernal Springs, 45 miles from Union, on Thursday, the 25th instant. On Wednesday, the 26th instant, a command of 200 cavalry and 180 infantry, under Major Chivington, was advanced toward Santa F�, with a view of capturing or defeating a force of the enemy reported to be stationed there. The enemy in force was engaged near Johnson's Ranch, Apache Ca�on, about 15 miles on this side of Santa F�. The result was victorious to our forces. The enemy was defeated, with some 20 to 25 killed, more wounded, and about 70 prisoners, who fell into our hands. Our loss was small--3 men killed in battle, 2 since died, and some 8 other wounded. Among the wounded is Captain Cook, Colorado Volunteers, badly. I regret to report that Lieutenant Marshall, Colorado Volunteers, accidentally shot himself while breaking a loaded musket which he held in his hand by the muzzle. Having accomplished this, Major Chivington's command took position on the Pecos, at Kozlowski's Ranch, 27 miles from Santa F�.
    About noon on the 27th I left Camp Paul, at Bernal Springs, and about 2 o'clock next morning I had posted my entire force at Kozlowski's. On the 28th a movement was made upon the enemy in two columns, with a view of reconnoitering his position at Johnson's Ranch. For this purpose an infantry force of regulars and volunteers, under Major Chivington, was directed to move off on the Gallisteo road, attain the principal heights upon the side of Apache Ca�on, and occupy them, while the main body, under my command, moved directly into the ca�on. It was known before this movement was made that the enemy had been strongly re-enforced, and his estimated strength was from 1,200 to 1,400.
    At 9 o'clock we left our encampment, and at 10.30 a. m. we arrived at Pigeon's Ranch, 5 miles distant, the command under Major Chivington having flanked off at a point about 2 miles beyond Kozlowski's. We had just reached Pigeon's when I directed Captain Chapin, Seventh Infantry, adjutant-general, to proceed forward with the cavalry and reconnoiter the position of the enemy. He had proceeded but about 300 yards when our pickets were driven in, and the enemy opened a fire of grape and shell from a battery carefully placed in position upon the hill-side above. The batteries were brought forward and the infantry thrown out upon the flanks. The cavalry, with an addition of infantry,

supported the batteries, and the firing became general. The battle continued over five hours. The fighting was all done in thick covers of cedars, and having met the enemy where he was not expected the action was defensive from its beginning to its end. Major Chivington's command continued on toward Johnson's, where some 200 of the enemy were posted, and fell upon the enemy's train of 60 wagons, capturing and destroying it and capturing and destroying one 6-pounder gun, and taking 2 officers and about 15 men prisoners. The loss of this train was a most serious disaster to the enemy, destroying his baggage and ammunition, and depriving him of provisions, of which he was short. Much praise is due to the officers and men of Major Chivington's command.
    About 5 o'clock p. m. a flag of truce came from the enemy, and measures were taken by both forces to gather up the dead and take care of the wounded. Our loss is not great. We have 1 officer (Lieutenant Baker, Colorado Volunteers) killed and 2 (Lieutenant McGrath, U. S. Army, and Lieutenant Chambers, Colorado Volunteers) wounded; 28 men killed and 40 wounded. We lost some 15 prisoners. The loss of the enemy is great. His killed amount to at least 100, his wounded at least 150, and 1 captain and several men prisoners. He is still burying his dead. It is claimed in the battles of the 26th and 28th together that we damaged the enemy at least 350 killed, wounded, and prisoners, and have destroyed their entire train and three pieces of artillery--one by Major Chivington and two by our batteries. We have killed 5 of their officers --2 majors, 1 captain, and 2 lieutenants--and have captured 5 more--2 captains and 3 lieutenants. This has been done with the purpose of annoying and harassing the enemy and under orders from Colonel Canby, commanding department. But as the instructions from him are to protect Fort Union at all hazards and leave nothing to chance, and as the numbers and position of the enemy in a mountain ca�on are too strong to make a battle with my force, I shall now occupy a position to protect Fort Union and at the same time harass and damage the enemy.
    Officers and men, regulars and volunteers, all acquitted themselves handsomely during both engagements. It is especially proper that praise should be accorded Captain Ritter and Lieutenant Claflin, U. S. Army, for the efficient manner in which they handled their batteries during the battle of the 28th instant.
    I desire to notice the members of my staff for the efficient manner in which they assisted me in the battle of Pigeon's Ranch, and especially Captain Chapin, U. S. Army, assistant adjutant-general; Lieutenants Bonesteel and Cobb, of the Colorado Volunteers, and Mr. J. Howe Watts, volunteer aide, upon all of whom fell the heavier portion of dangerous duty during the battle, and whose intelligent, courageous, and prompt action contributed much towards the result attained.
    In conclusion, I would add that to Captain Chapin, whose connection with me was the most intimate, and upon whom fell the burden of duty, I owe and return especial thanks.
    I have the honor to be, with much respect, your obedient servant,
                                              JNO P. SLOUGH,
                   Colonel First Regiment Colorado Volunteers, Commanding.
    The ADJUTANT-GENERAL U. S. ARMY,
                        Washington City, D. C.

                                      SANTA F�, N. MEX., May 21, 1862.
    In compliance with orders just received from department headquarters I have the honor herewith to submit report of engagement at Glorieta, or Pigeon's Ranch, on the 28th March last, between the forces of the enemy, under Colonel Scurry, and Colonel Slough's column of Colorado Volunteers, Howland's cavalry, Ritter's and Claflin's batteries, of four guns each.
    On the morning of the day last mentioned I was assigned to the immediate command of a battalion of infantry, consisting of Companies C, Captain Sopris; D, Captain Downing; G, Captain Wilder, I, Captain Maile, and K, Captain Robbins, First Colorado Volunteers. A battery of four guns--two 12-pounder and two six pounders--Captain Ritter, regular Army, and four 12-pounder mountain howitzers, Lieutenant Claflin, U. S. Regular Army, were attached to my command. We marched out of camp near the Old Pecos Church, Howland's cavalry in advance, and proceeded about 5 miles down the road toward Santa F� to Glorieta, situated in a deep, narrow, and thickly-wounded ca�on. While my command was at a rest information of the immediate presence of the enemy was brought by some pickets falling back on Captain Howland's advance. They reported the enemy in position in the timber about 800 yards in advance. My command was immediately formed, and in obedience to the orders of Colonel Slough I advanced half that distance at a double-quick, where the batteries were stationed on a slight elevation in and to the left of the road. Company D deployed to the left and Company I to the right, to occupy the hill-sides as skirmishers; Company C was assigned to the support of Ritter's and Company K Claflin's batteries. The enemy were concealed among the trees, and opened fire upon us with their batteries, which was promptly returned by ours, and our skirmishers from the hill-sides discharged volley after volley among the enemy with telling effect.
    Company I, in deploying to the right, passed an opening commanded by the enemy's batteries and suffered severely. They, however, reached the position assigned them and did excellent service. Occupied this position for nearly half an hour, when the order was given to fall back to a new position in front of and near the house of Mr. Pigeon. Claflin's battery took position on an eminence to the left and Ritter's occupied the road. At this juncture Company G, that morning detailed as rear guard, came up, and were assigned with Company C to support Ritter's battery. Subsequently the first platoon of this company, commanded by Captain Wilder, was ordered by Colonel Slough to deploy to the right as skirmishers. The enemy advanced and occupied the position we had left, and the firing was renewed and kept up a considerable time. Then our batteries fell back to their third position.
    While the batteries occupied their second position Captain Chapin and myself were requested to accompany Colonel Slough up the hill to the right to reconnoiter. It was there suggested to the colonel the necessity of occupying the hill to the left with skirmishers, to prevent the enemy from outflanking us in that direction, to fall upon our rear, and destroy our train, and it would also afford support to our batteries. He thereupon ordered me to take 20 men from Captain Sopris' company and take position on the hill. These men were furnished, and not considering them sufficient I took the police guard, not yet assigned

to any special duty, numbering about 70 men, and with them took position in front of and to the left of the batteries on the summit of the hill, extending my line of skirmishers for nearly three-quarters of a mile in a half circle and at nearly a right angle from the road occupied by our train of 100 wagons. This position commanded the valley in part, and the irregularities of the surface afforded excellent protection for the men from the fire of the enemy. Remained here for about four hours. Occasionally small parties of the enemy would attempt to ascend the hill toward my line, but were driven back as often as they made their appearance.
    Before the batteries had fallen back to their third position I noticed 200 or 300 of the enemy nearly a mile off assembling. Apprehending that they were preparing to charge our batteries, I descended to the valley and communicated my apprehensions to Colonel Slough. Soon after, returning to the position assigned me on the hill, I received information from Colonel Slough that the enemy evidently intended to charge my skirmishers to get my position, from which they could assault our battery and train; was ordered to hold it at all hazards, for all depended upon it; also to be in readiness to advance and attack the enemy's flank when he should charge him in front, which he designed doing as soon as Major Chivington should attack him in rear, which he expected every moment. About half an hour afterward a party approached my line, dressed in the uniform of the Colorado volunteers, requesting us not to shoot, as they were our own men. They were allowed to come within a few paces of us, when, not giving satisfactory answers to interrogations in reference to their commanders and recognizing them as Texans, my men were ordered to fire. The enemy suddenly disappeared, leaving several dead and wounded. Apprehending at this time the arrival of Major Chivington with his command to attack the enemy's rear and that some of his men might get in our front while deployed as skirmishers, I was therefore extremely cautious not to give the order to fire on parties approaching until they were near enough to be recognized.
    At the time the enemy charged our battery a battalion of the enemy made its appearance among the trees before us, approaching the center of my line, Major Shropshire and Captain Shannon at head of column. When they had arrived to within a few paces of my skirmishers, Private Pierce, of Company F, Colorado Volunteers, approached them, killing and disarming the major and taking the captain prisoner. He returned to our main body and delivered over his prisoner to Captain Chapin, U. S. Army. The fire of my skirmishers was directed against the head of the still advancing column with such rapidity and effectiveness that the enemy were compelled to retire, with the loss of several killed and wounded. They once again appeared in the valley, but were repulsed and driven back. Our column had fallen back from the valley to my right a considerable distance. The enemy occupied the place we had left. Considering it extremely hazardous to remain longer, and thereby enable the enemy to get in my rear and cut me off from support of our battery and protection of our train, I ordered my men to fall back and close in in the rear of the retiring column, which they did in good order at a point nearly 2 miles back, and then returned to the camp we left in the morning.
    Not having at my command at this time the several reports of commanders of companies engaged in the battle I am consequently unable to particularize individual acts of heroism, and the exact number of killed, wounded, and missing. Therefore my report must necessarily

be incomplete. I would, however, remark that an estimate was made after the battle of the casualties of my command, and, if my memory serves me, 29 killed, 64 wounded, and 13 missing. Companies D and I, First Colorado Volunteers, were the greatest sufferers. Several of the wounded have since died from the effects of their wounds, making the number killed 38. The missing were taken prisoners by the enemy, one of whom escaped. The others were released on their paroles. Lieutenant Baker, of Company I, was severely wounded during the early part of the engagement, and afterward beaten to death by the enemy with the butt of a musket or club and his body stripped of its clothing. He was found the next morning, his head scarcely recognizable, so horribly mangled. He fought gallantly, and the vengeance of the foe pursued him after death. Lieutenant Chambers, of Company C, Colorado Volunteers, was also severely wounded, from which there is but little hope of his recovery. He proved himself a gallant officer.
    Suffice it to say that officers and men acted with great gallantry, and where all did so well to particularize and refer to individuals becomes unnecessary.
        I have the honor to remain, yours, with respect,
                                                   SAM. F. TAPPAN,
                   Lieutenant-Colonel, First Regiment Colorado Infantry Vols.
    Captain G. CHAPIN,
        7th Inf., U. S. A., A. A. A. G., Dept Hdqrs., Santa F�, N. Mex.

                               CAMP LEWIS, NEAR PECOS CHURCH, N. MEX.,
                                                     March 28, 1862.
    GENERAL: I have the honor to submit to you the following report of the troops under my command on the 28th of March, 1862, at the battle of Pigeon's Ranch:
    In obedience to General Orders, No. --, issued to me on the morning of this day, with the following command: 1st, Captain Lewis' battalion, assisted by Captain Carey, consisting of 60 men; Companies A and G, Fifth Infantry, in charge of Lieutenants Barr and Norvell; Company B, First Regiment Colorado Volunteers, 78 men, in charge of Capt. S. M. Logan and Lieutenant Jacobs, and Capt. James H. Ford's company, Second Colorado Volunteers, in charge of Captain Ford and Lieutenant De Forrest. 2nd, Captain Wynkoop's battalion, consisting of Company A, First Regiment Colorado Volunteers, in charge of Lieutenant Shaffer, 68 men; Company E, First Regiment Colorado Volunteers, in charge of Capt. Scott J. Anthony and Lieut. J. A. Dawson, 71 men; Company H, First Regiment Colorado Volunteers, in charge of Capt. George L. Sanborn and Lieut. B. N. Sanford, numbering about 80 men, I left Camp Lewis at 8.30 o'clock a. m., and at 9.30 o'clock a. m. we left the main road and took the trail leading to Gallisteo, which we kept for 8 miles, then without road we traveled about 8 miles, and about 1.30 o'clock p. m. we reached an eminence overlooking Johnson's Ranch.

    After reconnoitering the position it was ascertained that there were corralled in the ca�on 80 wagons and one field piece, all in charge of

some 200 men. The command was given to charge, and the troops started upon double-quick. Captain Wynkoop, with 30 of his men, were deployed to the mountain side to silence their guns by picking off their gunners, which they did effectually, Captain Lewis capturing and spiking the gun after having five shots discharged at him. The remainder of the command surrounded the wagons and buildings, killing 3 and wounding several of the enemy. The wagons were all heavily loaded with ammunition, clothing, subsistence, and forage, all of which were burned upon the spot or rendered entirely useless. During the engagement one of the wagons containing ammunition exploded, severely wounding Private Ritter, of Company A, First Colorado Volunteers; the only person injured. We retook 5 privates, who had been taken in the forenoon in the battle between Slough's and Scurry's forces, from whom we gleaned our first intelligence of the general engagement, and upon reaching the summit of the mountain we were met by Lieutenant Cobb, bringing an order from Colonel Slough for our advance to support the main column, which we hastened to obey. We also took 17 prisoners, and captured about thirty horses and mules, which were in a corral in the vicinity of the wagons.
     Both officers and men performed their duty efficiently. Captain Lewis had the most dangerous duty assigned him, which he performed with unfaltering heroism. I repeat, all, ALL did well. The command returned to Camp Lewis about 10 o'clock p. m. the same day.
         I am, general, with much respect, your obedient servant,
                                                  J. M. CHIVINGTON,
                                  Major, First Regiment Colorado Volunteers.

    P. S.--I ought in justice to say that a Mr. Collins, in some way connected with Indian affairs in this Territory, and one of Colonel Slough's volunteer aides, by his own request and Colonel Slough's desire accompanied the command, and gave evidence that he was a brave man, and did us good service as a guide and interpreter, though he did not burn the train or cause it to be done.
                                                    J. M. C.
    27 killed; 63 wounded. Total, 90.

Source:

United States. War Dept., United States. Record and Pension Office., United States. War Records Office., et al., "Roanoke," The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Prepared, Under the Direction of the Secretary of War, by Bvt. Lieut. Col. Robert N. Scott, Third U. S. Artillery. Published Pursuant to Acts of Congress Approved June 16, 1880. Series I-Volume IX. Washington: Government Printing Office. 1883, pp. 532-539.