About this item
Highlights
- The Civil War in 1861 found Southerners a minority throughout the West.
- About the Author: Walter Earl Pittman is a leader in New Mexico historic preservation.
- 251 Pages
- History, United States
Description
About the Book
The Civil War in 1861 found Southerners a minority throughout the West. Early efforts to create military forces were quickly suppressed by the Yankees. Unable to control their local territories, many returned to the South to fight while others remained where they were, forming a potentially disloyal population. Underground movements developed and existed throughout the war in Colorado, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona and even Idaho. Repeatedly betrayed and overawed by Union forces and without communications with the South, these groups generally were ineffective.Book Synopsis
The Civil War in 1861 found Southerners a minority throughout the West. Early efforts to create military forces were quickly suppressed. Many returned to the South to fight while others remained where they were, forming a potentially disloyal population. Underground movements existed throughout the war in Colorado, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona and even Idaho. Repeatedly betrayed and overwhelmed by Union forces and without communications with the South, these groups were ineffective.
In southern New Mexico, Southerners, who were the majority, aligned themselves with the Confederacy. Four small companies of irregulars, one Hispanic, fought (effectively) as part of the abortive Confederate invasion force of 1861-2. The most famous of these, the "Brigands," were close in function to a modern special forces unit. In 1862 the Brigands were sent into Colorado to join up with a secret army of 600-1,000 men massing there, but were betrayed. Returning to Texas, the Brigands and the other irregulars were used for special operations in the West throughout the War; they also fought in the Louisiana-Arkansas campaigns of 1863-4.
Review Quotes
"An excellent contribution to the history of the Civil War"―Strategy Page
"Of great interest to students of both Western history and Civil War history...well-researched, well-documented"―The Denver Westerners Roundup
"Only a small number of works on the war in the Far West have emerged. Rebels in the Rockies fills the hole in the existing literature quite nicely. Rebels in the Rockies is an important work on the war in New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado"―Civil War News
"Pittman has done a marvelous job in bringing the Civil War West to life...in-depth study...Pittman is a gifted storyteller who deftly navigates his way through a considerable amount of material covering a large geographic area...an entertaining read that is easy to recommend"―Southwestern Historical Quarterly
"Pittman is an excellent writer and he utilizes the available evidence to the utmost"―Civil War Book Review
"Recommended"―Civil War Books and Authors
"The author is to be commended for bringing this largely unknown facet of the war to the public's attention"―The Journal of America's Military Past
"There is much to commend in Pittman's work. He has compiled in a single volume the fascinating stories of New Mexico's rebels and followed them further than any author to date"―The Journal of Arizona History
"With an antiquarian's passion for detail, Pittman presents mountains of information"―Civil War Times
About the Author
Walter Earl Pittman is a leader in New Mexico historic preservation. He lives in Roswell, New Mexico.