First Battle of Dragoon Pass (Arizona)

Tailor Pete

Sergeant
Joined
Mar 30, 2018
Location
Tucson, Arizona
Though I'm a day late in posting this, owing to our celebrations commemorating Cinco de Mayo in Olde Mexico, better late than never.

157 years ago yesterday, on May 5, 1862, a small band of mounted Confederates along with some 'volunteer' Federal prisoners gathering feral cattle to take to Tucson, were encamped at an idled Butterfield Overland Stage Station located at a spring in the Dragoon Mountains, about 16 miles from the present-day town of Benson, AZ. An estimated 100 Apache warriors of the Chiricahua Band ambushed the party. While there had been a violent history between the Mexican Government and the Chiricahua, there had been a peaceful relationship between them and the Americans now entering the newly obtained Gadsden Purchase lands. All of this changed after the Bascom Affair in January of 1861 when a misunderstanding over the capture of a young boy by Coyotero Apache resulted in a confrontation between the Chiricahua and the U. S. Army. Several deaths were suffered on both sides, and the once peaceful American Southwest erupted into the Apache Wars which would last for several decades.

Wether the Apache were aware of the Civil War dividing the nation, or if they even recognized a difference between the U. S. Army and the Confederate Forces now 'in control' of their lands, is unknown. Either way, the results were gruesome, three Confederate soldiers and a Mexican stock herder were killed in the clash with the Apaches succeeding in capturing a large number of livestock and horses. Though a minor skirmish, it is notable for causing the Confederacy's westernmost battle deaths, and is the only known engagement in which Confederate soldiers were killed within the modern confines of Arizona. Today, four graves, an historic marker, and the ruins of the Butterfield Station are all that remains of the American Civil War's Cinco de Mayo event.
 
Interesting story of an engagement that I have not heard of so great post! If you ever get a chance to post photos that would be wonderful.
Regards
David
 
Confederate_Graves_at_Dragoon_Springs.jpg
2501867_orig.jpg
 
Back
Top