Confederate Brigadier General Henry H. Sibley inflicts a heavy defeat on Union forces in New Mexico

Sibley's invasion of New Mexico from Texas met its first heavy resistance from Union forces at a ford on the Rio Grande near Valverde, north of the Union-held Fort Craig.  Troops from the fort tried to deny Sibley the river crossing and heavy fighting raged all day.  The Union prospered in the morning but in the late afternoon a series of Confederate charge broke the Union men commanded by Colonel Edward Canby.  Both sides suffered heavy losses. Canby retreated to Fort Craig and Sibley was able to move on to Santa Fé.  (By John Osborne)