Photograph shows a full-length portrait of three officers of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. Sitters have been identified as Second Lieutenant Ezekiel Gaulbert Tomlinson, Captain Luis F. Emilio (center), and Second Lieutenant Daniel G. Spear (National Archives) Group shot, officers of the 54th Mass. Colored. United States, 1863. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2010650833/.
When we picture the American Civil War, our minds usually go to the blue and gray uniforms of the North and South, framed in a strictly Black-and-white narrative. But there is a massive, often ignored chapter of this history: the 10,000 to 20,000 Hispanic soldiers who fought on both sides of the front lines.
From the deserts of New Mexico to the ironclads of the Atlantic, Hispanic Americans were pivotal to the outcome of the war. So, why don’t we hear about them?
Why Were They Erased from the Narrative?
The “invisibility” of Hispanic soldiers wasn’t an accident—it was a byproduct of how history was recorded:
- Census Categories: In the 1860s, “Hispanic” wasn’t a checkbox. Soldiers were often grouped simply as “White” or by their country of origin (Mexico, Spain, Cuba), making them hard to track in historical data.
- The Geography of History: Most Civil War education focuses on Virginia and Pennsylvania. However, many Hispanic regiments fought in the western portion of the United States (Texas and New Mexico), a region long neglected by early historians.
- Language Barriers: Thousands of letters and records were written in Spanish, remaining untranslated in archives for over a century.
Defining Moments and Heroes
Hispanic contributions weren’t just peripheral; they were game-changing.
The “Gettysburg of the West”
In 1862, the 1st New Mexico Volunteer Infantry—a predominantly Hispano unit—met Confederate forces at the Battle of Glorieta Pass. Their local knowledge allowed them to find and destroy the Confederate supply train, effectively ending the South’s dream of conquering the American West and its gold mines.
Trailblazers in Uniform
- Admiral David Farragut: The son of a Spanish merchant captain, Farragut became the Union’s first Admiral. He is immortalized for his grit at the Battle of Mobile Bay, where he famously shouted, “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!”
- Joseph H. De Castro: A hero of the 19th Massachusetts Infantry, De Castro was the first Hispanic American to receive the Medal of Honor after capturing a Confederate flag during the heat of Pickett’s Charge at Gettysburg.
- Loreta Janeta Velázquez: Breaking all social norms of the era, this Cuban-born woman reportedly disguised herself as a man to fight as a soldier and later served as a daring double agent.
A Legacy Restored
The Civil War was more than a regional conflict; it was a continental struggle that relied on the bravery of immigrants and descendants of Spanish colonies. By reclaiming these stories, we get a more honest look at the diverse coalition that shaped the United States. We also see that it still is an all hands-on deck situation when it comes to the fight for independence. Although not talked about often we were there too.
Quick Stats: Hispanic Participation
| Group | Primary Region | Notable Impact |
| Hispano Union Units | New Mexico Territory | Prevented Confederate Western expansion. |
| Tejano Cavalry | Texas / Gulf Coast | Served as elite scouts for both North and South. |
| Naval Officers | Atlantic Coast | Led some of the most successful Union blockades. |
