"THE VICTORIA INVINCIBLES"
The original Company C, 4th Texas
Mounted Volunteers fought in the campaign to take the Arizona and New Mexico
Territories for 
the Confederacy during the spring of 1862. They
were from Victoria County, Texas. In the battles of Valverde and Glorieta Pass,
and the skirmish at Peralta they fought hard and well, making a splendid record.
They suffered terribly from hunger and exposure during the campaign. Most of
their horses were killed in the Battle of Valverde, south of Socorro, New Mexico
and the brigade commander dismounted the Regiment after that battle. The men
of Company C marched from Socorro, NM to Glorieta Pass, NM and back to San Antonio,
TX. Sibley's New Mexico campaign was more than twice as long as Napoleon's Moscow
campaign about a half-century earlier. Some men of Company C were probably mostly
ignorant to the point of illiteracy; however, many of them could read and write
beautifully -- still for the most part they were light on "school learnin."
Reading the diaries and letters left by them will show the reader these were
decent men. They were poor and ignorant, but they were in the army to serve
their nation, and they tried hard to be good soldiers. One glance at their battle
record will show how well they succeeded. They appreciated the bravery of their
enemies, and they were well aware of the political and economic factors that
had led them into war against their former countrymen. They fought for not only
their country and state but also for their communities and homes, their families
and friends, their people. In short they fought for each other as well as for
the higher principle of the right to determine their own destiny as they perceived
it. Click 4th Texas Mounted Volunteers to view
a historical sketch including a link to the historical muster roll.
The current Company C, 4th Texas Volunteers was formed in September of l985. The unit was sworn in on the crest of Sharpshooter's Ridge on the battlefield of Glorieta Pass, New Mexico. The current Company C takes the impression as infantry rather than mounted troops; accordingly, our impression replicates the original Company C, 4th Texas Mounted Volunteers following the Battle of Valverde of Feb 21, 1862. The word "Mounted" is dropped from our present-day unit name so as to not project the perception that the current Company C is a mounted unit. Most members of the current Company C live in New Mexico and west Texas. Co C, 4th Texas Volunteers is affiliated with the New Mexico Civil War Commemorative Congress -- an umbrella body that coordinates living history and reenactment events in northern New Mexico. Many Co C members are also members of the Friends of Fort Selden, NM.
Our purpose is fourfold: (1) to portray and honor the Confederate soldier, Johnny Reb, as accurately as we can; (2) to increase the public's awareness of the Confederate (Sibley's) New Mexico campaign, in particular, and the Civil War in general; (3) to help preserve sites and artifacts of the war -- particularly those located in New Mexico; and (4) to have one heck of a lot of fun doing the first three.
We participate in the annual Valverde (February) & Glorieta Pass (May) battle reenactments in Socorro and La Cienega, New Mexico, respectively. We also take part in battle reenactments and tactical battles in Arizona, Texas, Louisiana and the farther eastern states. We put on programs for museums, schools, historical societies, march in parades, practice the drill of the period; and we annually (January) shoot live ammunition in competition with Federal reenacting units in New Mexico. Dues are currently none due to financial support from the New Mexico Division of Sons of Confederate Veterans. Membership is open to those who agree with and will work for the ideals of the unit. Each soldier must provide his own uniform and equipment.
Company C, 4th Texas Volunteers is absolutely non-political. We are not affiliated with any political party or group, or any political ideology. WE ARE DEDICATED TO PRESERVING HISTORY BY MAKING IT LIVE IN THE PRESENT.
Current Co C, 4th Texas Volunteers at La Cienega CW reenactment -- May 2006
Capt. Larry Pope, Alamogordo, NM -- (575) 430-9900
1st Sgt. Ted Sleeman, Carlsbad, NM -- (575) 885-2975
Quartermaster Sgt. John Smith, Las Cruces, NM -- (575) 523-9348
Webmaster & administrative Pvt. Pappy, Albuquerque,
NM -- (505) 823-9560
1. Alberts, Dr. Don E., Rebels on the Rio Grande. This is the diary of Alfred E. Peticolas, 5th Sgt. of Co C, 4th Texas Mounted Vols. Sgt. Peticolas was one of those perceptive and sensitive leaders mentioned above. His diary is a treasury of information about the unit and the campaign, and is the heart of our impression of Company C.
2. Alberts, Dr. Don E., The Battle of Glorieta -- Union Victory in the West. This book along with Edrington's & Taylor's The Battle of Glorieta Pass provides somewhat differing views of the Battle of Glorieta. Both books are well researched & easily read.
3. Edrington, Thomas S. & Taylor, John, The Battle of Glorieta Pass. This book along with Don Albert's The Battle of Glorieta provides somewhat differing views of the Battle of Glorieta. Both books are well researched & easily read.
4. Frazier, Donald S., Blood and Treasure: Confederate Empire in the Southwest. This book is a recent addition to the history of the Confederate invasion into New Mexico and present-day Arizona. It is thoroughly researched and very readable. It is the best book regarding the overall Confederate invasions into present-day New Mexico & Arizona.
5. Finch, Boyd L., Confederate Pathway to the Pacific. This book is also a recent addition to the history of the Confederate invasion into the southwest US, but focuses on the western-most penetration of the Confederate Army into the present state of Arizona.
6. Hall, Martin H., Sibleys New Mexico Campaign. A good overall work on the campaign. Some recent research has cast some doubt on a few of Halls hypothesis, but this is still a very valuable piece of reference.
7. Hall, Martin H., The Confederate Army of New Mexico. This is a roster and cursory service record of the brigade. It contains a wealth of information about the men, but very little on the campaign itself.
8. Healey, Donald W., The Road To Glorieta -- A Confederate Army Marches Through New Mexico. This book -- published in 2003 -- focuses on Sibley's New Mexico campaign from the perspective of Captain Isaac Adair who commanded Co H, 7th Texas Mounted Volunteers and who was KIA at the Battle of Glorieta (3/28/1862). It is an extensively researched book and easily read.
9. Noel, Theophilus, Campaign from Santa Fe to the Mississippi. Noel was the Sgt-Maj. Of the 4th Regiment. Another diarist with an acid wit. He offers many perceptive comments on the adventure. Ironically, he offers almost nothing on the battles in New Mexico because he was in the hospital with measles and pneumonia during the battles of Valverde and Glorieta.
10. Nichhols, James L., The Confederate Quartermaster in the Trans-Mississippi. A very enlightening look at where the western Confederate Army got its provisions and uniforms. Specific reference to the Sibley Brigade is rare, but usable generalities abound.
11. The Official Record of the War of the Rebellion has many reports and memorandums from New Mexico and Texas during l861 and 1862.
12. Horn & Wallace Publishers, Confederate Victories in the Southwest. This book includes all of reference 9, above, pertaining to Confederate military actions in present-day Arizona and New Mexico from the war's beginning to the occupation of Santa Fe in March of 1862.
13. Thompson, Jerry (edited), Civil War in the Southwest -- Recollections of the Sibley Brigade. This book provides edited and annotated eighteen episodes written by William Lott "Old Bill" Davidson and six other soldiers of Sibley's Brigade, which were originally published 1887-88 in the Overton Sharp Shooter, a small east Texas newspaper. This is a newly publised book (2001) and is a must-have book for ANM reenactors.
Updated 5/7/2008
