First Battle of Mesilla facts for kids

Quick facts for kids First Battle of Mesilla
Part of the Trans-Mississippi Theater of the American Civil War
Mesilla in 1854.
Date July 25, 1861 Location Mesilla, New Mexico Territory (USA), Arizona Territory (CSA) Present Day: Mesilla, New Mexico Result Confederate victory
Belligerents
Confederate States	United States
Commanders and leaders
John Baylor	Isaac Lynde
Strength
~300, cavalry, infantry, militia	380, cavalry, infantry, 4 artillery pieces
Casualties and losses
2 killed, 7 wounded (disputed)	3-13 killed, 6 wounded (disputed)

The First Battle of Mesilla happened on July 25, 1861. It took place in Mesilla, which was then part of the New Mexico Territory. Today, Mesilla is in Doña Ana County, New Mexico.

This battle was a fight between soldiers from the Confederate States and the Union during the American Civil War. The Confederates won this battle. Their victory led to the official creation of a Confederate Arizona Territory. This new territory covered the southern part of the New Mexico Territory. The win also helped set the stage for the Confederate New Mexico Campaign the next year.

Why the Battle Happened

In February 1861, Texas left the United States and joined the Confederacy. Because of this, a group of Texas soldiers called the 2nd Texas Mounted Rifles was sent to take over forts in western Texas. These forts had been left empty by the Union Army.

Lieutenant Colonel John R. Baylor led these Texas soldiers. His orders allowed him to move into New Mexico. He could attack Union forts along the Rio Grande if he thought it was necessary. Baylor believed the Union soldiers at Fort Fillmore would attack him soon. So, he decided to attack first.

Baylor and his men left on the night of July 23. They arrived in Mesilla the next night. Baylor planned a surprise attack for the next morning. However, a Confederate soldier who left the group told the Union commander, Major Isaac Lynde, about the plan.

The next day, Baylor led his soldiers across the Rio Grande into Mesilla. The people there cheered for them. A group of Arizona Confederates joined Baylor's side. They officially became part of the Confederate Army.

On July 25, Major Lynde left a small group to guard Fort Fillmore. He then led 380 Union soldiers to Mesilla. His goal was to drive Baylor out of the village.

The Battle Begins

John Baylor, a Confederate leader.

Major Lynde and his men got close to Mesilla. Lynde demanded that Baylor surrender. But Baylor refused. So, Lynde spread out his soldiers and started firing his mountain cannons.

He ordered his foot soldiers to move forward. But thick sand and tall corn fields made it hard for them to attack. Lynde then told his cavalry, which were horse-mounted soldiers, to charge at Baylor's men.

The Confederates shot many of the Union soldiers during this charge. This made the Union attack fall apart. The Union charge failed, and both sides started shooting at each other from a distance.

Lynde gathered his soldiers again. But he decided to go back to Fort Fillmore. Confederate troops and armed citizens from Arizona chased after them. The Union side lost between three and thirteen men killed. They also had two officers and four men wounded. The Confederates reported two dead and seven seriously wounded. They also lost twenty horses.

What Happened Next

The next evening, Baylor called for more cannons and horse soldiers to join him. The rest of his men got ready to attack Fort Fillmore the next day. That same night, the Confederates captured 85 horses from the fort. These horses were important for the fort's travel.

Major Lynde feared an attack the next day. So, he left Fort Fillmore. He destroyed the ammunition and supplies inside the fort. He then retreated northeast toward Fort Stanton. They had to cross the dry Organ Mountains through San Augustin Pass. Many Union soldiers were not prepared for this difficult march across the desert. This led to severe dehydration.

The Organ Mountains in New Mexico.

The next day, the Confederates chased after Lynde's men. They captured dozens of Union soldiers who had fallen behind. Lynde's group was down to only 100 men by this time. The Confederates caught up to them. Some Confederates used a mountain pass, now called Baylor Pass, to cut them off.

The Union soldiers were forced to surrender at San Augustine Springs on July 27. The captured soldiers were then set free. Baylor brought his soldiers together at the fort. He was able to equip his men with the captured rifles and other gear.

The Confederate victory at Mesilla made it easier for the area to join the Confederacy. Local people had already voted to join in March 1861. On August 1, Baylor announced the creation of the Confederate Arizona Territory. This territory included the part of the New Mexico Territory south of the 34th parallel. Baylor made himself the military governor of this new territory. He also declared martial law, meaning the military was in charge. Baylor's success at Mesilla led to Henry Hopkins Sibley's big New Mexico Campaign the following February.

On November 25, 1861, Major Lynde was removed from the Army. This happened because he abandoned Fort Fillmore and surrendered his soldiers to a smaller Confederate force.