Image talk:Map of CSA.png

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I'd just like to say that Missouri, Kentucky, West Virginia, Western Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, and much of the counties to the North were apart of the Union at the time of the Civil War.

I wasn't sure how best to handle the border states and New Mexico and Arizona. I toyed with the idea of labelling them "contested territories" or "in dispute", but quickly realized that this didn't work as the ALL of the CSA's territory was in dispute. In addiiton, splitting off West Virginia from Virgnia on the map wouldn't work as the Greenbrier valley remained in Confederate hands until 1865 and control of the the eastern panhandle was constantly switching between the USA and CSA. The Confederates held both southwestern Missouri and Arizona Territory (southern New Mexico) for a fair amount of time. Was it long enough to include these area as part the CSA? In the end, I decided that I wanted to draw a political map using political boundaries, not a military map showing lines of control. Thus, the territories I included on the map are those on which the CSA laid formal claim, regardless of their abilitiy or inability to hold on to them. I included a statement on the map of "Boundaries as claimed by the CSA". To make even clearer what this map is, and is not, I will change the caption to read: "Map of the territories claimed by the Confederate States of America." I hope this clears it up. Nicholas F

This map contradicts this other map Image:Wpdms arizona new mexico territories 1863 idx.png regarding the disposition of what is called here the "New Mexico Territory". Are you sure about the northern section? The "Arizona Territory" was held for about one year, I believe. -Willmcw 03:16, August 8, 2005 (UTC)

President Davis authorized General Sibley's New Mexico campaign and Sibley issued a proclamation taking possession of New Mexico in the name of the Confederate States. Both of these actions, IMHO, are sufficient to indicate that the CSA had made a claim to the territory. That Sibley made a complete hash of the campaign doesn't negate the fact that a formal claim was made on behalf of the Confederacy. As far as I can determine, Shelby never organized a CSA territorial government during his short stay in Santa Fe, that is the reason that I labeled New Mexico Territory as "(unorganized)". Other mapmakers may not label the northern part of New Mexico Territory as part of the CSA either because (1) they were unaware of the Confederacy's claim or (2) they view the claim as insufficiently pressed by the Confederates. The latter case is just a judgement call. In that regard, most CW maps that I have seen also disregard the CSA's claim to both the Arizona and Indian territories and split off West Virginia, despite neither the state of Virginia or the CSA ever having recognized the secession of the western part of the state. As the map was to accompany an article on the Confederate States rather than the Civil War, I thought it would be useful to show the boundaries claimed by the CSA. The CSA's inability to uphold these claims could be, and should be, remarked upon in the article's text. I believe I did this in my addition to the history section. BTW, here is the text of Shelby's proclamation:

FROM GEN. H.H. SIBLEY TO THE PEOPLE OF NEW MEXICO DEC. 20, 1861

An army under my command enters New Mexico to take possession of it in the name, and for the benefit of, the Confederate States. By geographical position, by similarity of institutions, by commercial interests, and by future destinies, New Mexico pertains to the Confederacy.

Upon the peaceful people of New Mexico the Confederate States wage no war. To them we come as friends, to reestablish a governmental connection agreeable and advantageous both to them and to us; to liberate them from the yoke of military despotism; to insure and to revere their religion; and to restore their civil and political liberty.

The existing war is one most wickedly waged by the United States upon the Confederate States, for the subjugation and oppression of the latter by the force of arms. It has already failed. Victory has crowned the arms of the Confederate States wherever an engagement worthy of being called a battle has been joined. Witness the battles of Bull's Run, of Manassas, of Springfield, of Lexington, of Leesburg, of Columbus, and the capture in the Mesilla Valley, of the whole force of the enemy, by scarcely half their number.

The Army under my command is ample to seize and to maintain possession of New Mexico against any force which the enemy now has or is able to place within its limits. It is my purpose to accomplish this objective without injury to the peaceful people of the country. Resume, then, quietly, your peaceful avocations, and from my forces you have nothing to fear. Your persons, your families, and your property shall be secure and safe. Such forage and supplies as my army shall require will be purchased in open market , and paid for at fair prices. If destroyed or removed to prevent me from availing of them, those who cooperate with our enemies will be treated accordingly, and must prepared to share their fate.

It is well known to me that many among you have already been forced by intimidation, or inveigled by fraud, into the ranks of our foes. The day will soon arrive when you can safely abjure their service. When it comes, throw down your arms and disperse to your homes, and you are safe. But, persist in their service, and you are lost.

When the authority of the Confederate States shall be established in New Mexico, a government of your best men, to be conducted upon principles with which you are familiar, and to which you are attached, will be inaugurated. Your religious, civil and political liberties will be re- established and maintained sacred and intact. In the meantime, by virtue of the power vested in me by the President and government of the Confederate States, I abrogate and abolish the law of the United States levying taxes upon the people of New Mexico.

To my old comrades in arms, still in the ranks of the usurpers of their government and liberties, I appeal to the name of former friendship drop at once the arms which degrade you into the tools of tyrants, renounce their service, and array yourselves under the colors of Justice an Freedom! I am empowered to receive you into the service of the Confederate States - the officers upon their commissions, the enlisted men upon their enlistments. By every principle of law and morality you are exonerated from the service in the ranks of our enemies. You never engaged in the service of the Old Union to fight against your best friends. In the sight of God and Man, you are justified in renouncing a service, iniquitous in itself, and in which you never engaged.

-Nicholas F August 8, 2005