The Battle of Valverde was fought on February 21, 1862, during the American Civil War (1861 to 1865).
On December 20, 1861, Brigadier General Henry H. Sibley issued a proclamation claiming New Mexico for the Confederacy. To support his words, he advanced north from Fort Thorn in February 1862. Following the Rio Grande, he intended to take Fort Craig, the capital at Santa Fe, and Fort Union. Marching with 2,590 ill-equipped men, Sibley neared Fort Craig on February 13. Within the fort's walls were around 3,800 Union soldiers led by Colonel Edward Canby. Unsure of the size of the approaching Confederate force, Canby employed several ruses, including the use of wooden "Quaker guns," to make the fort look stronger.
Judging Fort Craig to be too strong to be taken by direct assault, Sibley remained south of the fort and deployed his men with the goal of enticing Canby to attack. Though the Confederates remained in position for three days, Canby refused to leave his fortifications. Short on rations, Sibley convened a council of war on February 18.
