The most significant civil war battle in arizona took place near picacho peak in april of 1862, when an advance detachment of union forces from california attacked a confederate scouting party. The most notable event in the mountains history occurred several years later, after the outbreak of the american civil war. Published on mar 5, 2020 author of the book picacho pass arizonas civil war history larry hedrick tells the story of this historic battle. Picacho pass, the westernmost battle of the civil war, was fought on april. Donate today to preserve civil war battlefields and the nations history for generations to come. It is best viewed from hiking the memorial loop inside the picacho state park where there are various memorial placards discussing the. We cant answer all questions we receive, but if you have a question for our ask mr. A friend of mine had done the illustrations so i wanted to check it out. President abraham lincolns call for volunteers at the start of the american civil war led to creation of the second massachusetts cavalry regiment that ultimately included more than 500 californians. Pearthree arizona geological survey openfile report 9918 september, 1999 scale 1.
The westernmost battle of the civil war occured in arizona. Geologic map of the picacho mountains and picacho peak. Park history picacho peak state park arizona state parks. As a microcosm of the greater war, local confederate successes could not change the strategic realities of the situation.
This was the largest civil war battle to take place in arizona. Mar 05, 2020 author of the book picacho pass arizonas civil war history larry hedrick tells the story of this historic battle. Picacho peak article about picacho peak by the free dictionary. The action occurred around picacho peak, 50 miles 80 km northwest of tucson, arizona. Home book list tshirts registration dates resources contact regional battle scores meeting minutes 20192020 book list. Did native americans attack at the battle of picacho peak. This was in response to confederate occupation of tucson ariz.
Did pima or apache indians attack union and confederate forces fighting at the battle of picacho peak. All footage used to depict this story is actual footage. Picacho peak battlefield american battlefield trust. Used as a landmark by travelers for centuries, picacho peak stands 1,500 feet above the desert floor. A brief overview of the 1862 battle of picacho peak, the only civil war battle in arizona territory. Its centerpiece spire is visible from downtown tucson, a distance of 45 miles 72 km.
The most significant civil war battle in arizona took place near picacho peak in april of 1862, when an advance detachment of union forces from california attacked a. Picacho peak civil war reenactment southern arizona guide. Published on feb 22, 2020 the battle of picacho pass is a arizona civil war story. Jan 18, 2018 a quick history of the westernmost battle of the civil war, the battle of picacho pass. This was the largest civil war clash to take place in arizona. Picacho peak battlefield 2020 all you need to know. The reenactments now have grown so large that many more participants tend to be involved than took part in the actual engagements, and. Modern ruins military museum and fuhrer restaurant gone military museum dome was in shape of a world war i helmet. A stone pillar marking the location of the westernmost battle of the american civil war only honors one side of the conflict.
The most fight battle at of picacho the civil pass, war, known is enshrined in arizona. The battle was the most significant civil war battle in arizona even. Civil war buffs reenact battle at picacho peak around town. Enjoy the view as you hike the trails that wind up the peak and, often in the spring, overlook a sea of wildflowers. Since many people only know of the battles that were fought in the eastern states, this desert battle becomes another history lesson. A visitor center, monument and interpretive signage and trails are located inside the park. The westernmost battle of the civil war was fought on the rocky slopes of a volcanic spire 50 miles northwest of tucson.
Civil war reenactment every year in march, the park sponsors a reenactment of the battle of picacho pass. Baylor of the confederate states of america defeated union troops in arizona and new mexico in march 1861. Probably the most notable historic event in the area occurred in 1862 when confederate and union soldiers skirmished in the battle of picacho pass. Author of the book picacho pass arizonas civil war history larry hedrick tells the story of this historic battle. As the site of the only civil war battle in arizona, picacho peak is full of history, but its also home to one heck of a campground. Picacho peak state park wikipedia republished wiki 2. Picacho peak is not a volcanic cone, but is part of a volcanic flow that has been partially eroded away. Although outnumbered, hunters rangers had successfully delayed carletons column and had prevented a surprise attack on tucson. Each site is electric and rvfriendly, and tent camping is also popular, thanks to shady ramadas, spacious, modern facilities, and gorgeous views of the saguaroflanked peak. Civil war events 2020 reenactments, living history. As of 1 april 2020 some events are being cancelled.
Jan 29, 2014 also, according to the wikipedia page about the battle, every march, picacho peak state park hosts a reenactment of the civil war battles of arizona and new mexico, including the battle of picacho pass. I picked up this book from picacho peak state park, az near where the battle took place. Battle of picacho pass monument picacho, arizona atlas obscura. Picacho peak state park hosts hundreds of reenactors march 1920. Men from the confederate side march past their artillery battery while reenacting the battle of valverde, which took place near modern santa fe, new mexico, in 1862, saturday during civil war in the southwest at picacho peak state park. Picacho peak article about picacho peak by the free. Picacho peaks most noted historic event occurred in 1862 when confederate and union troops met in the battle of picacho pass during the civil war. The summit rises to 3,374 feet 1,028 m above mean sea level. It was fought between a union cavalry patrol from california and a party of confederate pickets from tucson.
The westernmost battle of the civil war was fought about 45 miles north of tucson, arizona, in the shadow of a mountain called picacho peak. Geologic map of the picacho mountains and picacho peak, pinal. The true story of the battle of picacho pass part 2 youtube. Readers of civil war history would be forgiven for dismissing its significance. Mineral resources of the indian pass and picacho peak wilderness study areas, imperial county, california united states geological survey bulletin 1711a. They, too, stopped to rest at picacho, a spanish word meaning peak. Picacho peak, which consists almost entirely of northeastdipping basaltic and andesite volcanic rocks, is part of the hanging wall of the detachment fault. Join larry hedrick as he relates how this historic event was made in a docudrama. But in april 1862, three union soldiers were killed in the battle of picacho pass after an advance detachment of union forces from california attacked a confederate scouting party. I wanted to add it to my collection on books about the american civil war in the southwest us. Civil war buffs reenact battle at picacho peak around. Sherod hunter raised the stars and bars of tucson, arizona, part of an effort to create an oceantoocean confederacy. The battle of picacho peak was more a skirmish than a battle.
In the mid1800s, a wagon road was constructed and later stage coach traffic carried travelers through picacho pass. Every year, there are reenactments of the battle and other demonstrations of. Civil war in the southwest 2017 picacho peak state park saturday, march 18 sunday, march 19 9. Az marks 150th anniversary of battle of picacho peak. The engagement at picacho peak was the westernmost battle of the american civil war and also one of the smallest in terms of numbers engaged. The westernmost battle of the civil war involved few soldiers, but it destroyed the confederacys hope to expand to the. Picacho peak s most noted historic event occurred on april 15, 1862, when confederate and union scouting parties met in the battle of picacho pass during the civil war. The park is located between casa grande and tucson near interstate 10 in pinal county. The quiet widowers search for solitude in the desert is interrupted by his obsession with a young couple he finds dead at the bottom of the famous southern arizona landmark. Every year the state park holds reenactments of the battle of picacho pass, the 2nd westernmost battle of the civil war.
Georgia, mississippi, and even the westernmost battle of the war at picacho peak, arizona. We hope you enjoy your visit and thank you for coming. Mar 12, 2014 history buffs and curious spectators can watch reenactments of civil war battles and more at the annual civil war in the southwest event at picacho peak state park this weekend. Discover battle of picacho pass monument in picacho, arizona. Picacho peak today theres little to suggest that american history was made here other than a marker. Picacho peak site of arizonas largest civil war battle. This weekends reenactments are sponsored by the arizona state parks foundation, the union. On april 15, the westernmost battle of the american civil war was fought on the flanks of picacho peak, a rocky volcanic spire situated 50 miles northwest of a small sonoran town named tucson. Geologic map of the picacho mountains and picacho peak, pinal county, southern arizona report and two map sheets, scale 1. Sherod hunter occupied tucson, arizona as part of an effort to expand the border of the confederacy westward. Here we want to share the best reader questions weve gotten, along with the response by our very own research guru mr. We hope you enjoy the reenactments of an arizona civil war skirmish and the new mexico battles of glorieta and valverde. Apr 07, 2017 10 great places to hike through civil war history.
It was fought between a union cavalry patrol from california and. Picacho peak, az modern ruins military museum and fuhrer. All footage used to depict this story is actual footage from larry hedricks. The battle at picacho pass may only have been a tiny skirmish compared to the great conflagrations in the east, but to the men killed and wounded there it was the civil war. Nearly every year since the 1980s, picacho peak state park has hosted the civil war in the southwest to showcase the battles of glorieta pass and valverde in new mexico and the farthest west engagement of the war, the battle at picacho pass. Mar 12, 2015 the westernmost battle of the civil war was fought about 45 miles north of tucson, arizona, in the shadow of a mountain called picacho peak. Visitors traveling along i10 in southern arizona cant miss the prominent 1,500foot peak of picacho peak state park.
Apr 24, 2012 the word picacho is spanish for peak, and that is about all that it is, then and now. The action occurred all around picacho peak, 50 miles 80 km northwest of tucson, arizona. Geologic map of the picacho mountains and picacho peak, pinal connty, southern arizona by stephen m. The battle of picacho peak is the farthest west battle of the civil war it took place about 25 miles northwest of tucson, arizona in what was then new mexico territory on april 15,1862. During that short period, 50 miles nw of tucson, an engagement was fought between a union cavalry patrol and a party of confederate pickets from tucson. Also, according to the wikipedia page about the battle, every march, picacho peak state park hosts a reenactment of the civil war battles of arizona and new mexico, including the battle of picacho pass. In february 1862, a band of 120 confederate rangers under capt. Picacho peak state park is a state park surrounding picacho peak in picacho, arizona. It is best viewed from hiking the memorial loop inside the picacho state park where there are various memorial placards discussing the history of the area and battle. Welcome to the most uptodate and comprehensive listing of civil war events reenactments, lectures, book talks, hikes, living history programs and more brought to you by. The civil war in the southwest trail at picacho peak state park interprets the 1862 skirmish at picacho pass as well as other events that occurred within the region during the southwestern campaign. Picacho peak mystery follows the adventures of johnny blue, a retired widower working as a security guard for the central arizona project canal. The battle of picacho pass or the battle of picacho peak was an engagement of the american civil war on april 15, 1862. Depending on whose historical documents you read, the civil war battle at picacho peak.
What battles did california troops fight in during the. One of the few peaks in the area, picacho peak is a natural navigation point. Battle of picacho pass monument picacho, arizona atlas. About fortyfive miles north of tucson, a large, red, volcanic plug rises almost a thousand feet in the air, marking the end of a small range of rugged mountains and the beginning of the arid, sandy santa cruz valley. In the chaparral near the base of picacho peak, barrett discovered confederate sergeant henry holmes and nine privates playing cards and relaxing in a small clearing not far from the old butterfield stage route. Picacho peaks most noted historic event occurred on april 15, 1862, when confederate and union scouting parties met in the battle of picacho pass during the. The battle of picacho pass or the battle of picacho peak was an engagement of the american. The battle decided nothing much in a war that was being determined further east. Through the ages, it has stood gaunt and grim above the desert floor, acting as a beacon to weary travelersmuch the same as chi. Picacho peaks most noted historic event occurred on april 15, 1862, when confederate and union scouting parties met in the battle of picacho pass during the civil war.
The battle of picacho peak picacho pass in february 1862, a band of confederate rangers under capt. Tucson was the capitol of the confederate territory of arizona between february 20, 1862 when some 120. Mar 20, 2016 the actual battle site is the highway 10. Walking the trails of history in new york journal of books. Arizona state parks sponsors many reenactments of history throughout its 25 park system. The battle of picacho peak or the battle of picacho pass was an engagement of the american civil war on april 15, 1862. The action occurred around picacho peak, 50 miles northwest of tucson, arizona. A quick history of the westernmost battle of the civil war, the battle of picacho pass. The 2007 reenactment of the battle of picacho peak, the western most battle of the civil war mount up arizonas civil war story is a colorful one. For more information on how or why books are selected please refer to the book selection committee.
Nov 22, 2002 picacho peak state park is a state park surrounding picacho peak in picacho, arizona. On april 15th, 1862 a group of union soldiers attacked a small group of confederate scouts at picacho pass in the shadow of picacho peak. It is best viewed from hiking the memorial loop inside the picacho state park where there are various memorial placards discussing the history of. A few of those battles were fought right here in arizona. Picacho peak battlefield 2020 all you need to know before. Aug 08, 2014 one of the few peaks in the area, picacho peak is a natural navigation point.
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