Officer’s Quarters at Fort Craig Ruins – Oil on Canvas 16″X20″ (2021)
Sizes and Prices
Signed Limited Edition of fifty (50) on archival museum quality canvas, with certificate.
16” x 20”
Without frame: $450.00 plus shipping.
Contact us for price with frame.
About the Painting – Officer’s Quarters at Fort Craig Ruins
Located in south-central New Mexico on the Rio Grande and the Valverde mesa. Near present-day Socorro. Part of a network of forts established, in the Territory of New Mexico, to stop the Indian raids. This fort (as most all were) was positioned strategically during the Indian wars and became a Union Army establishment during the Civil War. The second most significant Civil War battle in New Mexico occurred just northeast of the Fort, known as the battle of Valverde. Confederate troops from Texas, led by Gen. Henry Hopkins Sibley, traveled along the Rio Grande from Texas and were en route to Fort Craig after taking De Mesilla (Near Las Cruces, NM). The Confederates attempted to bypass Fort Craig along the Rio Grande River. On February 21, 1862, Colonel R.S. Canby moved his Union Army troops from Fort Craig up to engage the confederates, known as the battle of Valverde. At the end of the day, the Confederates were successful and the Union Army retreated back to Fort Craig. There were heavy casualties on both sides.
The Confederate Army continued North (with intentions of taking gold in Colorado and California) and on March 26th-28th, 1862, the Confederate army was eventually stopped at the Battle of Glorieta (North of Santa Fe, NM.), a three (3) day war that was dubbed the Gettysburg of the West. The Union Army destroyed their supply train forcing the Confederates to retreat back to Texas.
After the Civil War, the primary focus of the fort was to control the Apache and Navajo raids and to protect travelers and parts of the El Camino Real. Many Military excursions, from Fort Craig, were carried out against Geronimo, Victorio, and Nana (Chiricahua Apache war chiefs and their bands)
This painting focuses on looking south at the Officers’ Quarters (now ruins) during dusk. The Rio Grande is situated in the background with leaves turning color and the great skies of New Mexico as the sun sets to the West. Three Hawks, carried by the winds, are seen high above the ruins as a sign of life that remains. A great place, in history, to hike and enjoy the trails, informative signs positioned at each ruin, and significant location. There is an information center on the property.
Fort Craig now sleeps.
