[1] Shortly after the arrival of Confederate forces from Texas, secessionists met at Mesilla to adopt an Ordinance of Secession, on March 16, 1861.

In order to make good the Confederacy's claim to the western portion of their new Arizona Territory, Confederate soldiers, commanded by Capt.

[10][11] This minor skirmish is noted for causing the Confederacy's westernmost battle deaths and is the only known engagement in which Confederate soldiers were killed within the modern confines of Arizona.

After the battle the men buried near the Dragoon Springs stage station[10] with one of the Union prisoners cutting into rough stone the words "S. Ford, May 5th, 1862" and "Ricardo.

Sherod Hunter ordered his men to take back the captured herd of cattle and horses, as well as to avenge the deaths of their fellow soldiers.