Picacho is name to a small town, a state park and a peak that rises 1500 feet from the desert floor in southern Arizona. This dramatic point can be seen in all directions for as many as 50 miles and has been used as a landmark for travelers for hundreds of years. To the immediate east are the Picacho Mountains, and Interstate 10 and the train tracks follow the pass betweenthe two. It is a place of fun and exploration, including camping, hiking, mountain climbing, geocaching and botany to name a few.
It is also the location of the most westward battle of the Civil War. A large battle likened to those in the east it was not. But its importance is relevant in the sense it essentially stopped the Confederate plan to dominate the southwest.
At the outbreak of war many Union garrisons in the west were recalled back to the east to fight the war. This gave the Confederate leadership the belief they could easily march across the south all the way to California and seize the seaports there. They almost got there!
By February of 1862 Confederate Calvary units from Texas had made inroads deep into New Mexico Territory, which then included present Arizona. On March 1st the Confederate flag was raised over Tucson, which would be occupied for 80 days with only 120 soldiers. One little detail was overlooked. Not all the Union troops had been recalled. Some remained in California. Called the California Column, a contingent went east into what was now, Confederate Arizona, to investigate.
Enter Picacho Pass. Upon hearing that Union forces may be headed to the area, the Tucson Confederates sent 10 soldiers, commanded by Sergeant Henry Holmes, as lookouts to Picacho Peak area to monitor any Union approach, and to send warning to Tucson if they were detected. It just so happened a thirteen-man patrol from the 1st California Cavalry was conducting a sweep of the Picacho Pass area on April 15th, 1862.
Led by Lieutenant James Barrett, the Union troops rounded the north end of the Picacho Mountains and proceeded towards a stage station that had been inactive since the war began. Here, Barrett and his men captured three Confederate lookouts. The rest of the rebels set up an ambush in a nearby thicket and attacked when the Union men left the station. In the ensuing battle three Union soldiers were killed, including Barrett. In addition to the three captured, two of the Confederates were injured, although this is still disputed to this day.


The battle lasted about 90 minutes and concluded with both sides retreating; The Confederates back to Tucson, and the Union troops back to their larger force. Technically speaking both sides won and lost. The Confederates won the battle, but the Union ended up taking the territory.
Today, just inside the state park, memorials stand as tribute to soldiers on both sides. There is a small walking path with signs about the battle and the Civil War in general. From this vantage point Trish and I were able to view the battlefield below, which is down and across the highway and railroad tracks closer to the Picacho Mountains.
This area is the desert at its finest and most dangerous. Texas Prickly Pear, various types of Barrel Cactus and towering Saguaro dominate the landscape. This means the landscape is not touch friendly at all, so stay on the trail. Summertime is brutal. Combine all that cactus with 110-degree temps and throw in some Rattlesnakes and Scorpions, and you have genuine southern Arizona hospitality. That is why Trish and I were there in November, when it gets to about 70 degrees with cool nights and choice weather for all types of activities, such as those mentioned at the beginning of this post.
We were able to car camp in the back of the Rav 4 at a secluded spot down near the tracks about a mile from the park. It was a little chilly in the morning; about 40 degrees, but it was easy sleeping and we were only awoken once when the train came through.
Back to the Civil War.
There has been debate on the statement that The Battle of Picacho Pass was really the westernmost battle of the Civil War. I have done some research on this and have come to my own conclusion.
There were, indeed, a few incidents that happened even further west than Picacho. One such incident was at Stanwix station, west of present-day Phoenix. In anticipation of arrival of Union troops, Confederate soldiers were burning hay in order to slow their advance. Union troops attacked, and one California cavalryman was wounded. There were a couple of other cases, such as a southern sympathizer opening fire on pro-union citizens. But this hardly qualifies as a battle between armies, nor even a skirmish like the one at Stanwix Station.
The Battle of Picacho Pass only involved 23 soldiers with three killed. But, perhaps, a battle is defined not by numbers but by what was achieved. There are two reasons why I believe this battle was important. 1) It was the single battle that stopped the Confederate drive to have a coast to coast presence. A month after the battle Union troops moved into Tucson to find the 120-man Confederate garrison had already retreated. 2) Because of the (Confederate Arizona) occupation, by 1863 Arizona was no longer a part of the New Mexico territory, but was now recognized by the Union as Arizona Territory, with borders similar to modern day Arizona. This helped to pave the way for future statehood.
Due to these noteworthy facts, Picacho Pass, in my eyes, was indeed a true battle, and beyond a doubt the furthest westward battle of the Civil War.
If you would like to go there yourself, either for the history, or the adventurous things to do there, I advise October through May. Take Interstate 10 south from Tucson about 45 miles to exit 219. The park is a short distance up the road to the right. If Picacho Peak isn’t enough for you, Rooster Cogburn’s Ostrich Ranch is only a mile the other way.