Special Edition: Skirmish at Albuquerque (April 8-9, 1862)
After their defeat at Glorieta, the small Confederate Army of New Mexico retreated to Santa Fe, and then back to Albuquerque, New Mexico Territory (a small town of approximately 1,600 people) where they rejoined their commander Henry H. Sibley. Albuquerque had been the ‘Confederate capital’ of New Mexico Territory since they first entered the town on March 7th. (The ceremony included a 13-cannon salute.) There were limited supplies available in the town and the eastern end had been fortified. At a meeting with his officers, Confederate General Henry H. Sibley explained his situation to his officers. “They had food for 15 days and only 35 to 40 rounds of ammunition per man.” The only available subsistence supplies were in the Union held forts and he had no money, except Confederate currency, which was not accepted by the locals. Sibley’s only option was to retreat from New Mexico Territory back to Texas.
Colonel Edward R.S. Canby’s Union forces re-occupied Sante Fe in early April, and Henry Connelly, the Territorial Governor, reoccupied his office on that day. Canby sent Captain James ‘Paddy’ Graydon and his renowned Spy Company to reconnoiter the Confederate defenses at Albuquerque. Graydon had emigrated from Ireland in 1853 and soon found himself a member of Company G of the First Dragoons, learning how to fight Indians from his commander Captain Richard S. Ewell. When Civil War came to New Mexico, Graydon’s “knowledge of the Territory” and his ability to speak Spanish and Apache enabled him to obtain a commission as captain. He was instructed to recruit and command an "Independent Spy Company" that would operate “virtually independently of the Army,” and “act as the eyes and ears of the Federal army.
Graydon’s most infamous operation almost ended in disaster in February 1862 as he loaded two old mules with explosives and tried to lead them across the lines. Unfortunately, the mules turned back and almost killed Graydon and his men. However, the explosion caused Confederate pack mules to stampede down to the Rio Grande, where Union troops rounded them up. Graydon’s Independent Spy Company was active throughout the 1862 New Mexico campaign. At Albuquerque, Graydon was “ordered to reconnoiter the town and its environs. Captain Graydon opened artillery fire and advanced to the outskirts of town. Although Colonel Canby had requested that the women and children be removed from town, that request was refused and the Union gun crews were ordered to cease firing. There were “sharp” cavalry and infantry skirmishes on April 8th and 9th, but few casualties. On the evening of April 9th, Canby ordered a withdrawal to the northeast to await reinforcements from Fort Union.
From: The Vulture over the Carrion: Captain James "Paddy" Graydon and the Civil War in the Territory of New Mexico (The Journal of Arizona History Vol. 24, No. 4, Winter 1983.)
On March 31, 1862, Canby received word that a regiment of Colorado Volunteers had reached Fort Union. He decided to move north to form a junction with the Coloradoans. As expected, Graydon became Canby's advance guard, not only providing valuable information on the movement of the Confederate army but harassing its rear guard as well…. News that "Pat is out skirmishing" appears to have done much to boost Federal morale which had taken a bad beating at Valverde. With the Rebel defeat at Glorieta Pass and Sibley's decision to evacuate the Territory, Graydon continued to perform his role as the eyes of the Federal army with considerable valor and amazing effectiveness. As Sibley retreated downriver, a confrontation developed at the small village of Albuquerque. In the settlement were companies of Rebels determined to fight. Graydon was ordered to reconnoiter the town and its environs. With the captain performing a sortie toward the town, the "Battle of Albuquerque" commenced.
Graydon advanced to the outskirts of town until driven off, whereupon the Federal artillery commenced firing. In the midst of the bombardment several citizens, including a few of the town's prominent women, made their way to the Federal lines to complain that the Union guns were damaging their homes. Canby called off the attack and, with Graydon in the lead, withdrew to a position some three miles to the southeast. The following day the Federals, with Graydon in the forefront of the fighting, continued to snipe at the besieged Confederates. As nightfall enveloped the village, campfires were left burning brightly andbuglers remained for the usual evening "tatoo" as Canby struck out eastward for Carnuel Pass, the village of San Antonio and his junction with the Federal troops from the north.
His army swollen to 2,400 men, Canby, with Graydon again in the lead, marched again for the Rio Grande to confront the Rebels and drive Sibley from the Territory. On the east bank of the river Graydon found most of Sibley's army entrenched in the village of Peralta. He could hear the sounds of a noisy fandango echoing from the village as the cool night breeze blew eastward toward the Federal camp. Early the next morning Graydon was sent to reconnoiter the Rebel position. The captain's reconnaissance turned out to be more of a confrontation as he "galloped into town and exchanged a few shots" with the Southerners. The Confederate artillery responded with a harmless cannonade before a stiff wind swept down the valley engulfing both armies in a cloud of suffocating dust. The following morning Graydon was able to tell Canby that Sibley had crossed to the west bank and was continuing his retreat.