The Civil War in the Southwest: The Rebel’s Trudge Down the Rio Grande, The Battle of Peralta, & Coopwood’s Gamble

This is the ninth episode in the series over the Civil War in the Southwest. After yet another hollow victory at Glorieta Pass, the Confederate Soldiers realize they had no choice but to retreat. At first they retreat to Santa Fe but before long they head further south to Albuquerque. They then retreat even further south along the Rio Grande to Peralta where the last major military engagement between the two sides occur in New Mexico. After the draw at the Battle of Peralta, the Rebels continue their retreat towards Mesilla with the Yankees shadowing their every move from the other side of the mighty river. Eventually, the Confederates faced a dilemma: fight the Yanks at a place called the Narrows or attempt a 100 mile march through the Magdalena and San Mateo Mountains which are just west of Fort Craig. That long march has become known as Coopwood’s Gamble. Please excuse my voice in this episode. I was sick for a week and a half during the holiday season but once I recovered, I lost my voice. A week later it still has not came back to me 100%. I couldn’t wait any longer to record, though.