Run, Troy, Run!

On January 15, 2012 I will be again participating in the Arizona Rock 'n' Roll Marathon, the twist is that this time I will be completing the 26.2 mile course in Civil War era uniform and shoes rather than the more typical running attire in order to help mark the 150th Anniversary of the March of the California Column.

In the summer of 1862 the men of the California Column marched some 600 miles across New Mexico Territory from Yuma to El Paso in order to stop Confederate invaders who were moving westward from Texas. The vast majority of these men were infantry and marched the entire distance, even those assigned to the cavalry covered the majority of the distance on foot so as to preserve the health and fitness of the horses. They followed the old Butterfield Overland Mail Rout, and since the average distance between water stops was 20 miles, that was the distance the men were compelled to march in a day. The march was a remarkable achievement Ceneral Halleck, commander of the US Army, called it, "one of the most crfeditable marches on record. I only wish our army here had the mobility and endurance of the California Troops." They faced not only vast distances, thirst, and summer heat but had to be alert to the threat of attack from Confederates and hostile Indians. At the conclusion of their military service many of these men remained in New Mexico and Arizona and are frequently found upon the rolls of pioneers who helped settle the West.