civil war encampment – Friends of the Pecos National Historical Park

Upcoming Civil War Virtual Lecture Series

civil war encampment, Park Events, Pecos National Historical Park projects

Pecos, NM: Pecos National Historical Park and the Friends of Pecos National Historical Park will host two virtual lectures this March in support of the commemoration of the 1862 Battle of Glorieta Pass. Please note that the programs are free, registration is required, and space is limited.

Thursday, March 24^th

7:00 p.m.

Fort Union and the Civil War

Friday, March 25^th

7:00 p.m.

Sam Adams: An African American Civil War Veteran and his New Mexican Life

Hannah Abelbeck, photo archivist in the Palace of the Governors Photo Archives at the New Mexico History Museum, will delve into the life of Samuel Adams. Supported by rich historical photographs, she will examine the experience of an African American Civil War veteran who served with the Colorado Volunteers.

To register for virtual programs, please e-mail peco_visitor_information@nps.gov with your name, phone number and the dates of the lectures for which you would like to register. Registration must be received no later than noon the day of the event. You will receive a confirmation e-mail with a link to join the presentation. We have a limited number of available slots, so please register early. If you have any questions, please call 505-757-7272.

For more information about the park in general, contact Pecos NHP at (505) 757-7241 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/peco. You will also find our listings on the New Mexico True website (newmexico.org) and Tourism Santa Fe (santafe.org). Please like on us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PecosNHPnps or follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/pecos_nps).

2022 Civil War Encampment at Pecos National Historical Park

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Pecos, NM: This year’s annual Civil War Encampment at Pecos National Historical Park will be a blend of virtual and in-person events. On Thursday, March 24^th and Friday, March 25th the park will co-host online educational programs and discussions. On Saturday, March 26^th visitors can join us for a free, family-friendly encampment to bring to life the experience of the Civil War in New Mexico. Interact with living history participants, witness black powder demonstrations, and try your hand at drilling with wooden muskets.

Schedule of Events:

Thursday, March 24^th

7:00 p.m.

Virtual Presentation: Fort Union and the Civil War

Fort Union was the most important post for the U.S. Army in the Southwest during the Civil War years. Join Fort Union National Monument Park Ranger Mike Weinstein for a conversation about the role of Fort Union–both as a defender of New Mexico and as a target for invading Confederate troops–in the Civil War. Presentation hosted by the Friends of the Pecos National Historical Park. Registration required; see registration information below.

Friday, March 25^th

7:00 p.m.

Virtual Presentation: Sam Adams: An African American Civil War veteran and his New Mexican Life

Hannah Abelbeck, photo archivist in the Palace of the Governors Photo Archives at the New Mexico History Museum, will delve into the life of Samuel Adams. Supported by rich historical photographs, she will examine the experience of an African American Civil War veteran who served with the Colorado Volunteers. Registration required; see registration information below.

Saturday, March 26^th

Civil War Encampment

Kids’ Activities

10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Stop by the kids’ tent to create and decorate a 19th-century optical illusion toy called a thaumatrope, re-create the Pecos Valley during the Battle of Glorieta with Lincoln Logs, toy soldiers, and horses or have a friendly competition playing the popular Civil War-era game of trap ball.

Black Powder Demonstration

10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

See, hear, and experience the power of black powder muskets.

Living History and Drilling

11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Visitors can participate in mock soldiers’ drills with wooden muskets and connect with living history presenters in the encampment field.

Cannon Firing

12:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Observe the power of Civil War era cannon firing.

All events are free and open to the public. From I-25 N: Take the Pecos/Glorieta Exit, #299. Left onto overpass, right onto Route 50; proceed on Route 50 for eight miles. At the village of Pecos, take a right at the four-way-stop onto Route 63. In two miles, the park will be on your right. From I-25 S: Take the Rowe Exit, #307. Follow signs. From Highway 63, the park will be on your left.

Many thanks to park partners including the Friends of Pecos National Historical Park, Western National Parks Association, the Artillery Company of New Mexico, Volunteers from Living History Unit from Fort Union National Monument for their invaluable help with this event.

2021 Virtual Civil War Encampment – Presentation Recordings

civil war encampment, Park Events

Thank you for joining the Friends of the Pecos National Historical Park and the Park staff during this past week commemorating the Civil War in New Mexico. As promised, each of the four presentation recordings is now available. They’ve been posted on a permanent webpage , or for your convenience they are listed below. Each recording includes the speaker presentation and the chat window. Enjoy!

Night 1 – The Illinois 29th United States Infantry Colored Troops in the Rio Grande Valley – Video

Night 2 – Civil War Medicine – Video

Night 3 – Free Land for Free Men”: The Civil War and the Homestead Act of 1862 – Video

Night 4 – Snow, Sheep, and the Santa Fe Trail: The Environmental History of the Battle of Glorieta Pass – Video

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2021 Virtual Civil War Encampment – Schedule of Events

civil war encampment, Park Events

Pecos, NM: The annual Civil War Encampment at Pecos National Historical Park will take place virtually this year! From Monday, March 22^nd to Friday, March 26^th, the park will co-host online educational programs and discussions. From Glorieta to Gettysburg and everything in between, this is an event for the whole family! Join us from the comfort of your home as we discuss the lives of African American soldiers, Civil War era medicine, the environmental impact of the war and more! Most virtual events require registration. See below for more details.

Schedule of Events:

Monday, March 22

7:00 p.m. MT

The Illinois 29^th United States Infantry Colored Troops in the Rio Grande Valley

Join Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park Education and Community Engagement Coordinator Jorge Hernández live on Zoom for the screening of the new short film: The Illinois 29th United States Colored Troops in the Rio Grande Valley. Following the Confederate surrender at Appomattox, African American soldiers of the Illinois 29th USCT continued their military service in the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas. There the fight for freedom and equality took on a different meaning and experience. Ranger Hernández will introduce the video and host a live question and answer session afterward. Research for this film was funded by a grant from the National Park Foundation. Hosted by the Friends of the Pecos National Historical Park. Registration required; see registration information below.

Tuesday, March 23

7:00 p.m. MT

Civil War Medicine

Join Fort Scott National Historic Site Park Ranger Barak Geertsen for an interactive Zoom program about Civil War medicine. Participants will learn how Fort Scott provided care to the sick and wounded, discover aspects of medical treatments of the time and compare them to modern methods, and discover how many medical items at the time were used in diagnosing and curing illness. Hosted by the Friends of the Pecos National Historical Park. Registration required; see registration information below. peco_visitor_information@nps.gov

Wednesday, March 24

7:00 p.m. MT

“Free Land for Free Men”: The Civil War and the Homestead Act of 1862

Homestead National Historical Park’s historian Jonathan Fairchild will explore the interconnected story of the Homestead Act of 1862 and the Civil War via a live Zoom program. He will share the events and legislation that led up to both the Civil War and the passage of the Homestead Act, which granted 270 million acres of free land in 30 states across the country. The program will also examine the impact and legacy of that law on Civil War veterans. Hosted by the Friends of the Pecos National Historical Park. Registration required; see registration information below. peco_visitor_information@nps.gov

Thursday, March 25

7:00 p.m. MT

Snow, Sheep, and the Santa Fe Trail: The Environmental History of the Battle of Glorieta Pass

History isn’t made by humans alone. New Mexico’s unique flora, fauna, climate, and geography played a decisive role in the Battle of Glorieta Pass, one of the westernmost contests of the American Civil War. The battle took place in 1862 along the Santa Fe Trail, a crucial agent of environmental change, which funneled soldiers, settlers, livestock, and trade caravans into the Pecos Valley. Join National Trails historian Guy McClellan for this Zoom program as he unpacks some of the non-human forces at work during “the Gettysburg of the West.” Hosted by the Friends of Pecos National Historical Park. Registration required; see registration information below. peco_visitor_information@nps.gov

Friday, March 26

7:00 p.m. MT

“The Gettysburg of the West?”

Tune in as Gettysburg National Military Park’s Chief of Interpretation Christopher Gwinn and Pecos National Historical Park volunteer Dr. Claudia Floyd engage in a friendly debate over whether the Battle of Glorieta Pass was truly the “Gettysburg of the West”. Hosted by the Gettysburg Foundation. Link to the program will be available on www.facebook.com/PecosNHPnps and www.facebook.com/GettysburgVisitorCenter. No registration required.

To register for programs hosted by the Friends of the Pecos NHP, please e-mail peco_visitor_information@nps.gov with your name, phone number and the topics of the lectures for which you would like to register. Registration must be received no later than noon the day of the event. You will receive a confirmation e-mail with a link to join the presentation. We have a limited number of available slots, so please register early. If you have any questions, please call 505-757-7272.

Many thanks to park partners, including the Friends of the Pecos National Historical Park and the Gettysburg Foundation for hosting these educational events. For more information about the park in general, contact Pecos NHP at (505) 757-7241 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/peco. You will also find our listings on the New Mexico True website (newmexico.org) and Tourism Santa Fe (santafe.org). Please like on us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PecosNHPnps or follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/pecos_nps)

2020 Civil War Encampment – March 28th

Park Events

2020 Civil War Encampment

Schedule of Events and Location

Pecos, NM: The annual Civil War Encampment at Pecos National Historical Park will take place Saturday, March 28th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This free, family-friendly event will bring to life the experience of the Civil War in New Mexico. Interact with living history participants, take a ride in a horse-drawn wagon, witness black powder demonstrations, and hear speakers share their expertise on life during the Civil War in the West. Children of all ages can make crafts, play historical games, and meet the snakes from the American International Rattlesnake Museum.

Schedule of Events:

Black Powder Demonstration

10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

See, hear and experience the power of black powder weapons like rifles, cannon and muskets.

Kids’ Activities

10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Stop by the kids’ tent to create and decorate a 19th century optical illusion toy called a thaumatrope, re-create the Pecos Valley during the Battle of Glorieta with Lincoln Logs, toy soldiers, and horses or have a friendly competition playing the popular Civil War-era game of quoits.

Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Travel back in time as you enjoy a free horse-drawn wagon rides between the Visitor Center and the encampment field. The horse rides are a popular attraction, so be sure to arrive early!

Lecture: Field Artillery of the Civil War

11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Field artillery provided a heavy punch with a long reach to both Union and Confederate armies during the Civil War. Ken Dusenberry of the Artillery Company of New Mexico will break down the basics of how and why artillery was used in the 19th century with a specific emphasis on the types of artillery used in the Battle of Glorieta and the Battle of Valverde.

Live Snakes!

12:00 p.m. -12:45 p.m.

Join the American International Rattlesnake Museum for a live snake presentation. Learn more about the vital role that snakes play in this rugged environment, the challenges they face, and what we can do to be safe around our slithering neighbors.

Black Powder Demonstration

2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

See, hear and experience the power of black powder weapons like rifles, cannon and muskets.

All events are free and open to the public. From I-25 N: Take the Pecos/Glorieta Exit, #299. Left onto overpass, right onto Route 50; proceed on Route 50 for eight miles. At the village of Pecos, take a right at the four-way stop onto Route 63. In two miles, the park will be on your right. From I-25 S: Take the Rowe Exit, #307. Follow signs. From Highway 63, the park will be on your left. Please be sure to check in at the information tent upon arrival to confirm event locations and times.

Many thanks to park partners including the Friends of Pecos National Historical Park, Western National Parks Association, the Artillery Company of New Mexico, the 9^th Texas Infantry Unit, 4^th Texas Mounted Volunteers, the Civil War Ladies League and the 3^rd NM Volunteers Living History Unit from Fort Union National Monument for their invaluable help with this event.

2018 Civil War Encampment – Schedule of Events

Park Events

Pecos, NM: The annual Civil War Encampment at Pecos National Historical Park will take place Saturday, March 24^th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This free, family-friendly event will bring to life the experience of the Civil War in New Mexico. Interact with living history participants, see black powder demonstrations, take a ride on a horse-drawn wagon, and hear speakers share their expertise on life during the Civil War in the West. Children of all ages can make their own corn husk dolls, paint quilt squares, and play historical games.

2012 Reenactment at El Rancho de las Golondrinas — Photo credit: johnstonarchives.net

In honor of the 156th anniversary of the Battle of Glorieta Pass, the Friends of Pecos National Historical Park will also unveil a bronze plaque commemorating Lieutenant Colonel Manuel Chaves and the contingent of New Mexico volunteers who fought alongside Union regulars and Colorado volunteers in this decisive battle. The bronze plaque will eventually be affixed to a new New Mexico Volunteers stone monument, which will be located in the Glorieta Unit of Pecos National Historical Park between the extant Texas Volunteer and Colorado Volunteer Monuments.

Please note, all events will take place at Pecos National Historical Park on the grounds of the Forked Lightning Ranch. Detailed driving directions below.

Schedule of Events:

Black Powder Demonstration

10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

See, hear and experience the power of black powder weapons like rifles, cannon and muskets.

Kids’ activities

10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Stop by the arts and crafts tent to try your hand at decorating a corn husk doll, painting quilt squares or testing your skill with Civil War era games.

Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides

10:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.

Travel back in time as you enjoy a free horse-drawn wagon ride around the grounds of the historic Forked Lightning Ranch. The horse rides are a popular attraction, so be sure to arrive early!

Unveiling of Plaque Commemorating New Mexico Volunteers

11:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

Friends of Pecos National Historical Park Vice President Andres Romero will present a brief overview of the contributions of the New Mexico Volunteers during the Battle of Glorieta Pass and the role of the Friends Group in securing a new monument honoring their key contributions in the war effort.

Lecture: “Civil War Era Medicine”

11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Discover more about Civil War era medicine with Dr. Bob Mallin. A Vietnam veteran, historian, and surgeon, Dr. Mallin offers a rare opportunity to see and learn more about the medical and surgical instruments that were used to treat battle wounds in the field.

Reception

12:15 p.m. -1:00 p.m.

Join the Friends of Pecos National Historical Park for light refreshments and the chance to see the newly minted bronze plaque commemorating the New Mexico Volunteers.

Lecture: “Civil War in the Southwest”

1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.

Civil War historian Dr. Alwyn Barr presents an overview of the 1862 New Mexico campaign and the conflicts along the Texas coast and lower Rio Grande border with Mexico. Dr. Barr is an American historian who specializes in African American studies, the American South, the American Civil War, and Reconstruction. He is a professor emeritus and former chairman of the history department at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas.

Black Powder Demonstration

2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

See, hear and experience the power of black powder weapons like rifles, cannon and muskets.

All events are free and open to the public. Please be sure to check in at the information tent upon arrival to confirm event locations and times.

To reach the grounds of the Civil War Encampment: From I-25 N: Take the Pecos/Glorieta Exit, #299. Left onto overpass, right onto Route 50; proceed on Route 50 for eight miles. At the village of Pecos, take a right at the four-way stop onto Route 63. In 2.6 miles, the entrance to the encampment field will be on your left. Follow the dirt road east for 0.6 miles to the parking area. From I-25 S: Take the Rowe Exit, #307. Follow signs. From Highway 63, follow the road for 3 miles. The entrance to the encampment grounds will be on your right. Follow the dirt road east for 0.6 miles to the parking area.