Fort Union (2nd)

USA / New Mexico / Wagon Mound /
 military, fortification
 Upload a photo
Fort Union's second fort, a massive, bastioned earthwork constructed in 1861 and largely abandoned by the close of 1863, stands as a unique and important example of mid-nineteenth-century American military architecture.

The fort is exceptional for several reasons:
Firstly, it is integrally associated with the Battle of Glorieta Pass (March 26-28, 1862), a crucial western engagement of the Civil War and a decisive Union victory that ended Confederate incursions into the American Southwest.
Secondly, it is the sole surviving earthen star fort erected west of the Mississippi River.
And thirdly, it is the most intact, least-disturbed Civil War-era bastioned earthen fort surviving anywhere within the United States today.

For all of these important reasons the Second Fort is exemplary and warrants closer, more methodical examination than it has received to date.
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   35°54'14"N   105°0'55"W

Comments

  • Just visited the depot and fort. The 2nd fort was hastily constructed in the few years just before the 1st shots of the civil war. The Commanding officer lamented the poor earthworks and after the Confederate invasion of New Mexico this fort was abandoned (anyone have better info?). The import thing to note is that is not a normal fort but that was a major supply depot. The Santa Fe trail rode through the eastern edge of the depot. During it's heyday this was the largest military post and depot west of the Mississippi and vitally important to control trade from Mexico to America and east to west coast. The fort was divided from military fort side with soliders and officers drilling and the depot side in which quater-masters charged with supplying 50 forts all along the west. During it's height some 100-200 wagon trains rolled through the depot daily. Thousand of tons of goods, supplies, arms and equipment passed through here. Imaging the native americans seeing this site rise up and a handful of years and then thousands of horses, men, pioneers, wagons, horses, cattle and live stock move through this depot....it must of been disconcerting for them. The fort dwindled and shut down a few years after the with the building of the trans-continental railroad. Impress site to see... recommend a visit to travelers.
This article was last modified 14 years ago