José Guadalupe Gallegos facts for kids

Quick facts for kids José Guadalupe Gallegos
José Guadalupe Gallegos
Born	April 13, 1828 San José, Santa Fé Province, Mexican Republic (now San Miguel County, New Mexico, U.S.)
Died	May 18, 1867 New Mexico Territory
Buried	Anton Chico, New Mexico
Allegiance	Union
Service/branch	New Mexico Militia Union Army
Years of service	1854, 1861–1862
Rank	Brigadier General (Militia) Colonel (USV)
Commands held	3rd New Mexico Infantry Regiment
Battles/wars	American Civil War
Other work	NM Territorial Legislature

José Guadalupe Gallegos (born April 13, 1828 – died May 18, 1867) was an important leader from New Mexico. He was a military officer, a county sheriff, a rancher, and a politician.

In 1854, he became a brigadier general in the New Mexico volunteer Mounted Militia. This group was formed to protect communities from attacks by Native American tribes. Later, during the American Civil War, he was a Union Colonel. He led the 3rd New Mexico Volunteer Infantry and was in charge of the Hatch's Ranch military post.

José Gallegos also served in politics. He represented San Miguel County in the Territorial Legislature four times between 1855 and 1861. He even served as the Speaker of the House and as the President of the Council. He helped start the Historical Society of New Mexico. He also helped create several companies, like the New Mexican Railway Company.

Early Life and Family

José Guadalupe Gallegos was born on April 13, 1828, in San José, which was then part of the First Mexican Republic. This area is now San Miguel County, New Mexico in the United States. His parents were José Fernando de Jesus Gallegos and Maria Juliana Padilla.

He grew up in an area called the San Miguel del Vado Land Grant. This land was given out starting in 1794. It was meant to create communities on the frontier. These communities helped protect larger towns like Santa Fé from raids. The Pecos River valley, where he lived, was a key meeting place. Different tribes like the Plains and Pueblo tribes traded there. It was also a path through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains for hunting buffalo. Later, it became a route for the Santa Fe Trail and even Civil War armies. People who hunted buffalo in the traditional Mexican way were called ciboleros.

San Miguel del Vado was an early outpost. It helped protect Santa Fé from raiding tribes. It also had a customs house and soldiers. These soldiers prevented smuggling and collected taxes on trade along the Santa Fé Trail. This frontier environment likely influenced José to join the military and get involved in politics.

José Gallegos married Josefa Gutierres on November 18, 1843. He was almost 16 years old. They had six children together. Their children included Ladislado, Bernabe, Maria Viviana, Juan de Dios, Silviano, and Guadalupe.

Political Career

When he was 23, José Guadalupe Gallegos became the sheriff of San Miguel County, New Mexico. He served from September 1851 to September 1853. The sheriff's office was in Las Vegas, NM. At that time, Las Vegas was a busy frontier town. It faced challenges with law and order. San Miguel County was much larger back then. It included what is now Guadalupe County, New Mexico.

Gallegos later ran for the council (like a Senate) in the 3rd New Mexico Territorial Assembly in 1853. He wasn't elected that time. However, he was elected to the Territorial Legislature four times between 1855 and 1861. Most of the lawmakers were native New Mexicans. A few wealthy families often influenced who was elected.

José Gallegos represented San Miguel County in the 5th (1855-56), 8th (1858-59), 9th (1859–60), and 10th (1860-61) Assemblies. He was the House Speaker in the 8th Assembly. He also served as the Council President in the 9th and 10th Assemblies. While in the legislature, he helped start several important organizations. These included the Historical Society of New Mexico (1859), the New Mexican Railway Company (1860), the Montezuma Copper Mining Company of Santa Fé, New Mexico (1861), and the New Mexico Wool Manufacturing Company (1861).

Historical Society of New Mexico

José G. Gallegos played a key role in forming the Historical Society of New Mexico. This society started on December 15, 1859. A group of five people, including Gallegos, were chosen to write the rules for the new society.

The society worked to create its constitution. On February 2, 1860, the "Act to Incorporate the Historical Society of New Mexico" was passed. José G. Gallegos signed this act as the Territorial Legislature Council President. This made the society a legal organization. However, the society stopped its activities in 1863 because of the American Civil War.

Service in the Civil War

The American Civil War began on April 12, 1861. President Abraham Lincoln asked each state to provide volunteer soldiers. In New Mexico, Governor Henry Connelly asked citizens to join the army. He told them it was important to defend their homes and families. Many New Mexicans answered the call. Five regiments of volunteers, a militia regiment, and other groups were formed. About 97% of these soldiers were Hispanic.

On August 26, 1861, José Gallegos became a Colonel in the 3rd Regiment of the New Mexico Volunteers. This regiment had 1,000 men. He was considered one of the most effective volunteer officers. During the Civil War, many colonels led regiments. They were often called "Colonel of Volunteers." This was different from "Regular Army" colonels, who were professional soldiers before the war.

The Department of New Mexico had many Hispanic officers. Colonel José G. Gallegos was one of them. Other leaders included Colonel Miguel E. Pino and Lt. Colonel Francisco Perea. Many regular army units were sent from the western states to the East. This meant volunteers were very important for the army in New Mexico.

Gallegos was put in charge of the military post at Hatch's Ranch on November 22, 1861. This was an important location. It was near the Pecos River settlements and a route to Albuquerque. It was also an area where Comanche and Kiowas tribes often entered New Mexico. His unit was told to send scouts out to look for Native American tribes and Confederate soldiers from Texas. They were also asked to try and make friends with the Comanches to get information. His unit also worked on building a road between Las Vegas and Fort Union.

Seven companies of the 3rd New Mexico Volunteer Infantry, led by Lieutenant Colonel Jose Maria Valdez, were stationed at Fort Craig. They helped fight against the Texan forces in the Battle of Valverde. In this battle, the 3rd Regiment had 6 soldiers killed, 4 wounded, and 1 missing.

Gallegos served in the Union Army from August 26, 1861, to March 6, 1862. This was just before the important Battle of Glorieta Pass in March 1862. The Civil War in New Mexico ended in August 1862.

Later Years

After the Civil War, José Guadalupe Gallegos was 34 years old. He passed away five years later, at the age of 39. He reportedly drowned after a mysterious carriage accident on May 18, 1867.

Two of his friends, Simon Delgado and Miguel E. Pino, also died around the same time. All three men were founding members of the New Mexico Wool Manufacturing Company. The community published statements honoring all three men. They praised them for their important lives and contributions to New Mexico. José Gallegos was buried at Anton Chico, New Mexico, on May 24, 1867.

See also

• Hispanics in the American Civil War
• Josiah Gregg, Commerce on the Prairies
• San Miguel del Vado Land Grant