ARLINGTON, Va. - The painting ‘Glorieta Pass - Action at Apache Canyon’ is the newest to join the more than 80 official paintings that illustrate key moments or missions of the Army and Air National Guard.
According to historians, the battle at Glorieta Pass - an often-forgotten battle where the Colorado National Guard had a major role - occurred during the early months of the Civil War, but it played a major role in thwarting the Confederacy’s hopes of creating an accessible route to the West Coast and Pacific Ocean - a critical necessity for the continued financing of the South’s war.
The events took place 2,000 miles away from a majority of the action, according to National Guard historians. However, the battle represents a moment of victory for the Union army at a time when the Confederacy was making inroads against a larger, better-equipped opponent.
Many historians feel that the Union’s stoppage of the western campaign conducted by the South was a significant factor during the early days of the Civil War.
If the South could better finance the war with a tactical fighting advantage in an area that was not well-defended at the outset of the War, many historians agree they might well have gained diplomatic recognition from either England or France, and escalated the conflict to a larger scale.
Key moments - some long forgotten - have been illustrated by artists throughout the more than 50 years of the Heritage painting program.
National Guard historians said through the recognition of such overlooked battles and campaigns they can better educate the general public, and provide outreach to inform military leaders about the importance of these actions.