Picacho Pass

Some folks in the New Mexico Territory (which included the now-states of New Mexico and Arizona) felt that they were treated like step-children to the other parts of the United States.  When the Civil War broke out, naturally these dudes wanted to join the Confederate States of America.  They had a plan to enlist southern Californians to join up with the Confederacy thereby giving Jefferson Davis ports on the west coast to land in and occupy.  Pretty good idea, huh?

Problem was, there were already Union troops in California.  It was these guys that came into the Territory from the west searching for the rebels that operated out of Tucson.  About 50 miles northwest of Tucson, around Picacho Peak, the Yanks and the Rebs met up.

Twelve Union cavalry and one loyal scout from Tucson under the command of Lt. James Barrett were wandering the countryside looking for the Rebels.  Sergeant Henry Holmes commanded those Rebs; they were known as the Arizona Raiders. 

Barrett's orders were to not fire on Confederates, but to wait for reinforcements.  Disregarding his orders (who's the rebel now!), Barrett engaged Johnny Reb.  Over the next hour and a half, Barrett not only managed to get a few of his men killed, but got himself killed, too.  The battle was mostly a draw.

The Californians retreated to some Pima Indian villages, and the Arizona Rangers rushed back to Tucson to warn of the Union incursion.  Because no Confederate reinforcements were sent by Jeff Davis, Union troops later rode calmly into Tucson and occupied the town.

Civil War battles were also fought in Dragoon Springs, Stanwix Station, and Apache Pass.  These locations, including Picacho Pass, were all re-mount stations on the Butterfield Stagecoach route and Butterfield was obliged to stop its service when the Civil War began because of the increased danger.

Civil War re-enactors (the only difference between men and boys is the price of their toys) gather on the anniversaries of these battles and replay the events.  Seems there are more re-enactors than there were original participants!  Silly boys.

Union Lieutenant Barrett's grave can still be found out there today, undisturbed and unmarked.  And time marches on.