UNM-Valencia Presents "Bloody Valverde"

This Civil War Battle on the Rio Grande was Almost Forgotten

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LOS LUNAS, NM (03/23/2012)(readMedia)-- In 1862 the Civil War was raging in the East with armies numbering in the 100 thousands contesting real estate in Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley. Small wonder that little notice was taken when a battalion of just under 3,000 Confederate volunteers from Texas invaded the Territory of New Mexico.

This Civil War battle will be the topic of the next event in the Spring 2012 Cultural Enrichment Series, scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 28, at the Student-Community Center. Local historian John Taylor will take his audience through the events from July 1861 through June 1862, discussing the strategies, battles, and personalities of this unique period in New Mexican history. The title of his talk is "Bloody Valverde: The Civil War Battle on the Rio Grande." He has a book by the same title.

In fact, even today most New Mexicans are blissfully unaware of this fascinating period in the state's history. In the grand scheme of things, the invasion had little impact on the War. However, for New Mexico and its 60,000 or so residents, this was a major event. Taylor will cover the significance of the Bloody Valverde battle to New Mexican history.

Taylor will also have copies of his two books on the Civil War in New Mexico available for signature and sale. The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served, and the Student-Community Center is located on the south side of the campus.

Other events coming up in the series include:

• Centennial Poetry, April 4, 6 p.m., Student-Community Center. New Mexico poets gather to read their works about New Mexico and New Mexico History.

• 3rd Annual Valencia Campus Student Film Festival, April 25, 10:30 a.m. and 2:45 p.m., Student-Community Center. There will be two screenings of the same program highlighting student work from the video classes at UNM-Valencia. The morning show will be the voting screening. Prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place will be given at the afternoon show! * *Some films may contain adult content.

• New Mexi-Chords Spring Opening Concert, May 15, 7 p.m., Student-Community Center. Tickets are $10 with proceeds to benefit the student scholarship fund for UNM-Valencia students. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door.

For more information about these events, call 925-8550.