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Fort Union National Monument

New Mexico
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Banner image: Third Fort Union Military Prison, courtesy of the Fort Union National Monument

First situated near the junction of the Mountain and Cimarron Branches of the Santa Fe Trail, Fort Union (1851–1891) was one of the largest military installations in the New Mexico Territory. The location of the fort shifted three times during its commission (1851–1861, 1861–1862, 1862–1891). Notably, the second installation was an earthen star fort. Once the central supply hub for New Mexico posts, the third iteration of the fort waned after the arrival of the railroad in 1879.

Soldiers from Fort Union joined forces with New Mexico and Colorado Volunteers and headed south to meet the Confederate Army for the Battle of Glorieta Pass (March 26–28, 1862). It turned out to be the decisive battle in the New Mexico Campaign during the Civil War in the West.

Details

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Fort Union National Monument

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Fort Union National Monument, P.O. Box 127, Watrous NM 87753 (mailing address)
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Type of place:
Historic military installations
Ownership:
National Park Service
Contact:
Fort Union National Monument, P.O. Box 127, Watrous NM 87753 (mailing address)
Telephone:
(505) 425-8025
Website:
Fort Union
Hours:
Labor Day - Memorial Day, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Memorial Day - Labor Day, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.
Guided tours:
Yes
Entrance fee:
No
Nearby heritage sites:
Pecos National Historical Park

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