Civil War

This Week in the Civil War

00000174-b11b-ddc3-a1fc-bfdbb1a20000The Schreiner University Department of History is honoring the sesquicentennial of the American Civil War with a series of short vignettes focusing on events from 1861 through 1865. The Civil War was the most destructive conflict in American history, but it was also one of our most defining moments as a people and as a nation. Let us know what you think about "This Week in the Civil War." E-mail your comments to Dr. John Huddleston at jhuddles@schreiner.edu.Airs: Weekdays at 5:19 a.m., 8:19 a.m., 4:19 p.m. on KTXI and 4:49 a.m., 9:29 p.m. on KSTX.

This Week in the Civil War - 513

Texas Public Radio | By Texas Public Radio

Published February 25, 2013 at 1:27 PM CST

On February 24, 1863, Arizona was formally organized as a federal territory. Claimed from Mexico in the war of 1846-48, the territory had seen sparse settlement until the discovery of gold near the town of Prescott in 1863.

When it was still a part of the New Mexico Territory, Arizona had been claimed and occupied by the Confederacy. Local historians are proud to boast that the “westernmost” battle of the Civil War was fought at Picaho Pass, roughly 50 miles from Tucson.

Concluded on April 15, 1862, the battle resulted in a Union victory. Faced with another defeat near Santa Fe at around the same time, the Confederacy was forced to abandon its dream of an empire in the West. From that point forward, Arizona remained firmly in Union hands.