Glorieta Battlefield Preservation By Lynna Kay Shuffield Pat Nagle, authoress of "GLORIETA PASS" and "THE GUNS OF VALVERDE" recently announced the organization of a new coalition (not yet named, it's so new!) to promote the preservation of the Civil War site known as the Glorieta Battlefield, which is located near Santa Fe, NM. The Glorieta Battlefield, often referred to as "the Gettysburg of the West," is one of the most threatened Civil War battlefields in the nation. Companies D and E, 4th Texas Cavalry were from Milam County, Texas and participated in this battle. Capt. Charles Buckholts, (the town of Buckholts, Milam County, Texas was named for his brother, John), died during the Battle of Glorieta Pass. A website for this preservation effort is located at: http://www.pgnagle.com/preserve3.html The Battle of Glorieta Pass took place from March 16th through 28, 1862 and Union units, commanded by Colonel John P. Slough and Major John M. Chivington defeat General Sibley's forces and necessitated his retreat back to Texas. To read a short history of Sibley's Brigade, visit the Texas Handbook On-Line at: http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/view/SS/qks2.html The Glorieta Battlefield is in danger and the coalition is asking for letters to be written to Gov. Gary Johnson of New Mexico, asking him: (1) to direct the State Highways and Transportation Dept. to resume the Environmental Impact Statement for the relocation of NM 50 highway away from the battlefield; and, (2) to support funding to acquire the remaining private property in the battlefield park area. Letters from descendents of New Mexico Campaign veterans, historians, Civil War buffs, and/or genealogists will without doubt impress the Governor with the importance of the preservation of the Glorieta Battlefield. It is important to remember that almost one-third of Sibley's more than 2,500 men were lost during the New Mexico Campaign including the Battle of Glorieta Pass. Hearing from individuals residing outside of New Mexico, who value the preservation of the Glorieta Battlefield, will make an enormous impression. Please take a few minutes to help by writing: The Honorable Gary E. Johnson; Governor of New Mexico; State Capitol, Suite 400; Santa Fe, NM 87503. A sample letter is online at: http://www.pgnagle.com/gletter.html . You can also send Gov. Johnston an e-mail at: [email protected] or visit the governor's website at: http://www.governor.state.nm.us/ You can contact Pat Nagle at e-mail: [email protected] or visit her webpage at: http://pgnagle.com Lynna Kay Shuffield writes the "Our Loose Ends" genealogy column, which is published in the Taylor Daily Press newspaper in Taylor, Williamson County, Texas and the Cameron Herald newspaper in Cameron, Milam County, Texas is at: http://geocities.com/Athens/Academy/2670/COLUMN-001.htm . She has written several books and is working on five more. She is a member of many local and state genealogical societies, the International Society of Family History Writers and Editors, Inc. (ISFHWE), the Daughters of the American Revolution and the United Daughters of the Confederacy. Lynna is a former major in the State Military Forces of Texas and a graduate of the United States Marine Corps (USMC) Command and General Staff Course (1998). She is also the county coordinator for the San Jacinto County TXGenWeb Project. The "Milam County, Texas: List of Honor-Individuals Who Have Given Their Lives in the Defense of Their Country from World War I through Vietnam" is at: http://www.geocities.c! om/Athens/Academy/2670/. -- * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Lynna Kay Shuffield P. O. Box 16604 Houston, Texas 77222 telephone: 713/692-4511 e-mail: [email protected] My webpages: "Milam County, Texas: List of Honor -- Individuals Who Have Given Their Lives in the Defense of Their Country from World War I through Vietnam" http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Academy/2670/ County Coordinator for the San Jacinto County TXGenWeb http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Academy/2670/SANJAC-01.htm "Our Loose Ends" Genealogy Column by Lynna Kay Shuffield http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Academy/2670/COLUMN-001.htm "My Loose Ends" Family Tree Database by Lynna Kay Shuffield http://worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?db=friday Shuffield Racing http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Academy/2670/PURPLE-001.htm "USS Houston (CA-30) Crew List - 1 Mar 1942" http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Academy/2670/crew.htm