Westernmost Skirmish of the American Civil War

We never expected to find a Civil War site in our travels to an Arizona State Park, but one of the last Civil War skirmishes was fought at the base of Picacho Peak. At the outbreak of the Civil War in Mid-April 1861, Union soldiers were withdrawn from Arizona and New Mexico territories. The Confederates expanded into the southwest, as a gateway to California. Confederates occupied Tucson in the summer of 1861 and lookouts were stationed at Picacho Pass.

In response U.S. President Abraham Lincoln ordered the creation of the California Volunteers unit. This force was to advance into the New Mexico Territory and block the Confederate forces. On April 15, 1862, a Union scouting party of about 25 men encountered the lookouts at Picacho Pass. Three Union soldiers died and three Confederates were captured, the rest escaping to Tucson to warn their comrades. Confederate Capt. Sherod Hunter ordered his outnumbered troops to leave Tucson on May 14, retreating to New Mexico The Union troops arrived in Tucson on May 20, 1862 putting an end to Confederate incursions in the Southwest.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Picacho_Pass

We walked over to the Civil War battle site near the Visitor Center where every year there is a re-enactment of the skirmish.

There are a number of displays including this monument erected by the Daughters of the Confederacy.

Later this afternoon we drove back to Eloy where the closest grocery is located, an IGA, 13 miles away. On the way back Frederick took this landscape picture of Picacho Peak and the point we climbed to on yesterday.

Today's hike:

Length - 3.4 miles

Duration - 1 hour, 10 minutes

Elevation gain - 310 feet (31 floors on the Fitbit)