On this site and several miles to the west along the Santa Fe Trail, Colorado Volunteers and regular U.S. troops fought a Confederate force from Texas in the Battle of Glorieta Pass. Although no clear victory emerged after two days of fierce and bloody combat, a successful flank attack by the Coloradans against the enemy's supply wagons hidden in Apache Canyon destroyed the Confederate ability to continue the campaign. The Texans retreated, ending their threat to New Mexico and to the Union-controlled Colorado goldfields.
