First Battle of Dragoon Springs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids First Battle of Dragoon Springs |
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| Part of the Apache Wars, American Civil War | |||||||
 Dragoon Mountains |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Confederate States |
Apache | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Sergeant Sam Ford † |
Cochise Francisco |
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| Strength | |||||||
| unknown | ~100 warriors | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 4 killed | unknown | ||||||
The First Battle of Dragoon Springs was a small fight during the American Civil War. It happened between a few Confederate soldiers and a group of Apache warriors. This battle took place on May 5, 1862. It was near what is now Benson, in an area called Confederate Arizona.
Contents
Why This Battle Happened
The Idea of Arizona Territory
Before the Civil War, people in the United States wanted to create a new territory called Arizona. But they couldn't agree on where its borders should be. Northern states wanted a north-south border. Southern states wanted an east-west border.
Confederate Arizona is Formed
When the Civil War started, the Southern states formed the Confederate government. They decided to create their own Arizona Territory. This new territory included parts of what is now New Mexico.
After a Confederate victory in a battle at Mesilla in July 1861, a leader named John R. Baylor declared the new territory. He made himself governor. Confederate President Jefferson Davis officially recognized this territory in February 1862.
Confederates Move West
To control this new territory, Confederate soldiers moved into the western parts. Captain Sherod Hunter led some of these soldiers to occupy Tucson. They stayed there from February to May 1862. The soldiers involved in the fight at Dragoon Springs were part of this group.
The Battle at Dragoon Springs
On May 5, 1862, a small group of Confederate soldiers was traveling. They were escorting some captured Union soldiers to Texas. They stopped at an old stagecoach station in the Dragoon Mountains. This spot was about 16 miles from present-day Benson.
About 100 Chiricahua Apache warriors attacked them. These warriors were led by chiefs Cochise and Francisco. Three Confederate soldiers and a young Mexican boy who herded animals were killed. The Apaches managed to take many horses and other animals.
This small fight is important because it was the westernmost battle where Confederate soldiers died. It's also the only known battle where Confederates were killed within the borders of modern Arizona. This event is often considered part of the Apache Wars. These wars were fought between Apaches and Americans from 1851 to 1900.
What Happened Next
A few days later, on May 9, Captain Sherod Hunter heard about the attack. He sent his men to get back the stolen animals. They also wanted to get revenge for their fallen friends.
The Confederates were successful. They got their animals back. They also killed five Apaches without losing any of their own men. The four people who died in the first fight were buried near the stage station. Their graves are still there today.
