Army of New Mexico

Army of New Mexico
The Sibley Flag, battle flag of the Army of New Mexico
Active	1861–1862
Country	Confederate States
Branch	Confederate States Army
Type	Field army
Role	Main Confederate force in the New Mexico Territory
Size	2,515[1]
Part of	three regiments and a battalion of mounted rifles, three artillery batteries, other unattached companies
Engagements	New Mexico Campaign
Commanders
Notable commanders	Henry H. Sibley

The Army of New Mexico, also known as the Sibley Brigade, was a small Confederate field army in the American Civil War. It operated in Confederate Arizona and New Mexico Territory during the New Mexico Campaign in late 1861 and early 1862, before it was transferred to Louisiana. At first the force was tasked with securing Confederate Arizona's forts, most of which were still in Union hands. John R. Baylor had already established the Confederate Territory of Arizona after the First Battle of Mesilla in 1861. Now the goal was to capture the remaining U.S. held forts in Confederate Arizona and to invade New Mexico Territory. The army also hoped to capture the mines of Colorado and California, to secure gold and silver supplies to finance the Confederate war effort.^[2] Ultimately, the Confederate plans were thwarted at the Battle of Glorieta Pass.