b'THE OLD STORYTELLER(The True Story of) The Battle of Picacho PassPresented by Hank Sheffer, The Old StorytellerD uring the War Between theTo bring the mineral resources of the West under States, nearly six thousandConfederate influence, to form a land bridge to the engagements were fought.West nearly doubling the land area of the Confederacy Some involved a mere handful ofand make it an ocean to ocean nation, therefore men and others involved tens ofinfluencing the European powers to recognize and thousands of soldiers. Of all thesesupport her drive for independence, and to reach and conflicts none has been more controversial than Arizonasrecruit a large force of Southern sympathizers known Battle of Picacho Pass. Indeed, few are aware that Arizonato exist in southern California. Indeed, few people was even involved in the conflict. realize the Bear Flag of California today was the secessionist flag of southern California during the War Although the Confederate plan for the conquest of theBetween the States.West was not fulfilled, Arizona was an important step in the attempt to bring the resources of the West into theCapt. Hunter set about Confederate circle of influence. To grasp a true perspectiveimmediately to make his small into Arizonas role in the War Between the States, oneforce look as formidable as should consider an event that occurred in the Easternpossible to the California Theater of operation before the formation and occupationUnionist. In this, he succeeded of Arizona territory. only too well and deceived the California authorities The Battle of Bull Run on July 21,into believing reports that 1861, became the catalyst for theupwards of eight hundred conquest of the West. The plan forConfederates occupied Tucson. the occupation and formation ofThe California authorities, to meet this threat, raised a Arizona was presented to President2300 man force that became known as the California Jefferson Davis by Henry H. SibleyColumn under the command of Col. James Carleton. only ten days after that victory byA troop of nine men under Capt. William McCleave Southern forces. Contrary to thewas sent in advance of the main column to secure view of many historians who portraysupplies purchased by the Union from Ammi Whites the Confederate campaign in themill at the Pima Villages, some thirty miles south of West as an exercise in desperation, because of the pressurespresent-day Phoenix. at the Battle of Glorietta Pass in New Mexico. Although of the blockade (seven out of ten ships were running theGen. Sibley gained another military victory, Union blockade as late as 1864), the dream of a SouthwesternCapt. Hunter, however, learning of this, arrested Mr. WhiteMajor Chivington led a cavalry detachment through the empire could not have been conceived at a better time, foron March 3, 1862. Lacking wagons, Capt. Hunter gave mostmountains and destroyed sixty-four inadequately protected the Confederate morale and confidence was at an all-timeof Whites stores to the Pima Indians. On March 10th, Capt.supply wagons. Gen. Sibley, with little hope of acquiring high. Indeed, after Bull Run, many confederate soldiersMcCleave arrived at Whites mill. Capt. Hunter posing asadequate supplies, began the withdrawal to Texas.went home never to fight again, thoroughly convinced theWhite, in civilian clothing, captured McCleaves entire force War for Independence had been won. Conversely, it camewithout a shot being fired. Capt. McCleave was so enragedOn the 14th of April, Capt. Calloway with a force of 272 at a time when the Union morale was perhaps at its lowest,by Capt. Hunters tactics he challenged Capt. Hunter to amen sent ahead of the main body (when informed of and Union forces were in a complete state of panic. bare fist fight (his nine men against Hunters band of nearlyMcCleaves capture) received word from his scouts that twice that number) with the Federals to be released if theythe Confederates occupied Picacho Pass. Capt. Calloway On August 1, 1861, following thewon. Capt. Hunter declined and sent McCleave east tosent Lt. James Barrett, a troop of twelve men and a scout, complete rout of Federal forces atMesilla under the command of Lt. Jack Swilling. Mr. Jones, with orders to circle the enemy and wait for Bull Run, Confederate Col. Johnsupport from the main force. Lt. Barretts detachment R. Baylor, issued a proclamationLt. Swilling escorted Capt. McCleave along with Ammiapproached the pass from the Tucson side and located three annexing the New Mexico territoryWhite to Mesilla. He deserted the Confederate cause andConfederate pickets at their main base camp. Lt. Barrett, south of the thirty-fourth parallelbecame a civilian scout for the Federals. In 1863, Swillinganxious for a fight, disobeyed orders and charged the three as a new and independent territoryled the Walker mining party into Arizona and set updismounted Confederate troopers. Shots were exchanged and pronounced himself the firstoperations near Prescott. He founded the Swilling Irrigationand Barrett captured Sgt. Henry Holmes, privates William Governor of Arizona. Gen. SibleyCanal Company when Phoenix was developing in 1867Dwyer and John Hill without casualties on either side. The and Col. Baylor began at once toand set about clearing out the Hohokam canals, becomingfiring alerted the other seven Confederate pickets stationed marshal together an army in Texas.known as the father of irrigation in Phoenix. Manyin the area by Holmes. These remaining pickets assembled, The Confederate operations in Newattribute Swilling as the leader of the Battle of Picacho Pass.taking a dismounted defensive position in a heavy thicket. Mexico began in earnest in January 1862, and Gen. SibleysAlthough not involved, Swilling allowed people to believeLt. Barrett, according to Calloways report, led his men forces gained several victories in rapid succession. Presidentwhat they would and never denied it. single file into the thicket despite repeated pleas from his Jefferson Davis and the Confederate Congress officiallyscout to dismount. This action was a critical mistake.recognized Arizona territory on the 14th of February 1862,On March 30, 1862, elements of Hunters men, scouting and the stage was set for Arizonas only Civil War Battle. the California Column, fired on Union pickets at StanwixThe first fire from the Confederates emptied four saddles. Station west of Gila Bend, approximately eighty miles fromAs the Federals regrouped, the Confederates retired further Heres What Happened the California border. Union Pvt. William Semmilroggeinto the dense thicket and had time to reload. Lt. Barrett As the War Between the States gained momentum in thewas wounded. Capt. Hunter, returning to Tucson with fullfollowed them up and was killed in the process.East, a drama was unfolding in the West that gave birth to aknowledge of a large Federal force in the area, left Sgt. Henry new territory and ultimately statehood to a vast area of theHolmes in command of nine Confederate privates at PicachoAlthough Calloways report states that the first fire southwestern desert, vaguely referred to by the Indians asPass. The mission of these ten men was to warn Capt. Hunterfrom the enemy emptied four saddles, it should not be Arizona. In February 1862, a fifty-four man force under theof any attempt by the Federals to move on Tucson. interpreted that four casualties were incurred. Col. Carleton command of Capt. Sherod Hunter was dispatched to occupyhad roughly stated previously that If it becomes necessary Tucson and arrived there on February 28th. The formationUnknown to either commander, the contest for Westernto engage the enemy with cavalry, use the saber rather and occupation of Arizona was threefold in its purpose.supremacy had already been decided on March 28, 1862,than the pistol, for under fire it takes all the men to hold continued on page 118 July 2020'