History and government of New Mexico . traders over the Santa Fe Trail had beenSoutherners. Most of the American officers in the Ter-ritory had been Southerners. From long association, there-fore, the New Mexicans had been attached to the when the first Southern advance came from Texas,popular feeling set strongly toward the Union. The long-standing controversy with Texas (sees. 137, 139-141, 189)had bred much bad feeling. Texans were intensely un-popular with the average New Mexican. Governor Connelly took full advantage of this sentimentwhen he issued his proclamation of September
History and government of New Mexico . traders over the Santa Fe Trail had beenSoutherners. Most of the American officers in the Ter-ritory had been Southerners. From long association, there-fore, the New Mexicans had been attached to the when the first Southern advance came from Texas,popular feeling set strongly toward the Union. The long-standing controversy with Texas (sees. 137, 139-141, 189)had bred much bad feeling. Texans were intensely un-popular with the average New Mexican. Governor Connelly took full advantage of this sentimentwhen he issued his proclamation of September 0, 1861, 160 7o THE HISTORY OF NEW MEXICO calling for volunteers to resist invasion by an armedforce from the State of Texas The name of the Con-federacy was not mentioned. 202. A Confederate Dream of Empire. — The territoryof the Confederacy extended westward to El Paso. Alarge proportion of the people of southern New Mexicoand southern California were from the South. Naturallythey would sympathize with their section in the coming. CIVIL WAR OPERATIONS IN NEW MEXICO 1661-1862 7;.\ / contest; and if given some encouragement, they mighteven be able to control both these new regions. TheConfederate government was anxious to extend its terri-tory to the Pacific. As a transcontinental nation itsprestige would be doubled; its credit would be increased;and it might reasonably expect early recognition by thegreat nations and a speedy ending of the war. It was aglorious dream of empire destined never to come true; butit brought the Civil War to New Mexico. Four officers in the Military Department of New Mexicoresigned their commissions, went South to give their swords THE CIVIL WAR 171 to their native States, and served with distinction in theConfederate armies. A few privates are said to havefollowed the same course. Otherwise the entire militaryestablishment in New Mexico espoused the Union cause. 203. Confederates Take Possession of the MesillaValley.—In July, 1861, Lieuten- .^-
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