Most people think of the Civil War happening in places like Virginia, Tennessee, or Georgia. But believe it or not, one of the Civil War battles happened right here in Arizona.
If you’ve ever driven between Phoenix and Tucson, you’ve definitely seen Picacho Peak sticking up out of the desert along I-10. It’s hard to miss. What most people don’t realize is that in 1862, Union and Confederate soldiers actually fought a battle right there.
At the time, the Confederacy had a surprisingly ambitious plan. Troops from Texas were trying to move west through Arizona and New Mexico with the goal of eventually reaching California’s gold fields and Pacific ports. If they could control the gold and trade routes, it could have dramatically helped fund the Confederate war effort.
Union troops from California were marching east to stop them, and a small scouting group encountered Confederate soldiers near Picacho Pass on April 15, 1862.
The battle itself was brief—more of a skirmish than a large battle—but it holds a unique distinction:
It’s considered the westernmost battle of the entire Civil War.
Just a few weeks later, Confederate forces were defeated in New Mexico and retreated back to Texas, ending their attempt to control the Southwest.
Today, thousands of people drive past Picacho Peak every day without realizing that a Civil War battle once happened right there in the Arizona desert. History has a funny way of hiding in plain sight.
Next time you're driving down I-10 and see Picacho Peak, just remember—over 160 years ago, soldiers were fighting a Civil War battle right there.
And don’t worry… traffic on I-10 is still the most dangerous thing happening there these days.
Have a great afternoon,
Joy, Jen, Kim, Kathy, Coloradas, Maxfield, Dr Shriner and Dr Ring
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