Describe the Confederate victory at Val Verde and how the Union troops responded.

The Confederacy seized Val Verde, continued up the Rio Grande, and within weeks, captured Albuquerque and Santa Fe before stopping at the Battle of Glorieta Pass on March 28.

Explanation: The Confederacy's goal was to take Union mines for their treasury and claim territory they thought was rightfully theirs. They moved in on southern New Mexico and captured many towns. They later surround the fort, beating all possible odds. The Union soldiers are forced to retreat with 68 killed, 160 wounded and 35 missing. The "Rebels" (Another term used to address the Confederates) only suffered 31 killed, 154 wounded, and 1 missing. A bloody battle to say the least.