Three battles were fought in the southwest during the American
Civil War: the Battle of Valverde, New Mexico (Feburary 1862),
the Battle of Glorieta, Mew Mexico (March, 1862), and the Battle
of Picacho Pass, Arizona (April, 1862). The confederate lost the
Battle of Glorieta and as a consequence it failed to control the
Santa Fe Route, which was vital to the Union.
The actors in the reenactment tried to maintain a high degree of
fidelity, and therefore they wore cotton-made uniforms under 80
degree (Fahrenheit). Improper dressing and under-preparation was
very detrimental to military operations. To be specific,
crossing a desert without sufficient supplies would result in a
disaster. Horses eat grass, not cactus. During the war many
soldiers died of sickness instead of being killed by enemy's
bullets.
