There are many stories from the Civil War; some of the ones that took place in the West have been overlooked. Texas and New Mexico Territory (present-day New Mexico and Arizona) were the scene of fierce fights and courageous actions on both sides. This book presents stories of those skirmishes, strategies, and soldiers. Even though some Texans-such as the famous Sam Houston-opposed secession, Texas joined the Confederacy on March 2, 1861, and put tens of thousands of men into battle to support the South. Even as they fought off Federal forces, the western soldiers had to defend their homes from Mexican bandits and Native American attacks.