The 1st New Mexico Volunteer Infantry, Company A, is a reenactment group organized to recreate the volunteer soldiers of New Mexico who filled the ranks as loyal Americans during the Civil War.
Our group specifically recreates the Regiment as it was first recruited in the Spring of 1861. The largely Hispanic Regiment served with(mostly unrecognized) honor under Colonel Kit Carson during Silsby's Confederate Invasion of 1862, in the Battle of Valverde. Even though the Union forces lost that battle, Carson and the 1st NMV distinguished themselves with their courage. After Valverde, the 1st was ordered to garrison Fort Craig, south of Soccorro. The Confederates were finally defeated on March 28, 1862 at Apache Canyon by Chivington and Manuel Chavez. As they retreated from New Mexico, the surviving third of the Rebels intentionally avoided Ft. Craig and its New Mexican garrison. The once proudly mounted Texans limped home on bare feet.
With the threat from the Rebels ended, in May, 1862, Brigidier General Canby ordered the best of all the New Mexican soliders consolidated into the First New Mexico Volunteers (Reorganized) under Colonel Carson. This unitwas later reorganized further to include mounted companies. Colonel Carson and the New Mexico soldiers served with honor protecting New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, and Arizona from the Native American threats that developed when the United States failed to live up to its pre©Civil War promises for subsistence and protection. The last of the New Mexico Volunteers were discharged in 1867, as the regular Army returned to the Southwest after the war.
Company A, First New Mexico Volunteers, participates in reenactments of Civil War events and living history throughout the area defended by the original First. We join with Union and Confederate reenactors as the New Mexico Civil War Congress to organize events and encourage activities throughout the state. Our particular focus is New Mexico and its loyal defenders during the Civil War. We include Infantry, a Band (fife and drum), and the U.S. Sanitary commission.
We welcome recruits and will be glad to discuss what's involved in reenacting, sources for uniforms, weapons, and gear. We are an unincorporated volunteer organization with monthly meeting and a (generally) monthly event schedule. In Company A we learn about Civil War era drill, uniforms, military custom, weapons skills and safety, camp skills and cooking, and period songs. While we strive for reasonable authenticity, we are not "hard core." Our objectives, in priority order are safety, fun, and authenticity. These objectives are not in conflict.
You are welcome to try us out. Contact one of the following or visit us at a reenactment event. We can arrange loans of uniforms and equipment, so you can try it out first before you purchase your own. We encourage new members; the larger the formation, the more fun.
Andrew Garcia 505/897-4040
Don Shoemaker 505/296-2544,
email donald.c.shoemaker@intel.com
Stan Morris 505/983-3403, email santafecpa@hotmial.com
http://ourworld.cs.com/hxmcs/Drums/
Dave Poulin 897-4657
Linda Taylor 505/298-4936, email lindartaylor@juno.com