John P. Slough

John Potts Slough (; February 1, 1829 – December 17, 1867) was an American general and politician who led Union forces at the Battle of Glorieta Pass during the American Civil War. After the war, he was appointed chief justice of the New Mexico Territorial Supreme Court, serving until his assassination in 1867. Early life and career Slough was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, son of a steamboat builder. Educated at the University of Cincinnati law school, he practiced law in Cincinnati before being elected to the Ohio General Assembly. While serving there, he struck a fellow assemblyman and was expelled for "an act unbecoming of a gentleman." His constituents reelected him to fill his vacant seat. In 1857, he relocated to Leavenworth, Kansas Territory, opened a law office, and entered the fight against the introduction of slavery into the territory during the era of Bleeding Kansas. He served in the Wyandotte Constitution convention—making Kansas a "free" state—and, again, settled a legislative difference with his fists. He moved to Denver, then in the western part of the Territory of Kansas, in 1860 and continued to practice law, becoming one of the city's more distinguished lawyers. With the establishment of the new Colorado Territory in early 1861, he helped organize the courts system, establishment of the bar, and review of professional peers. Civil War service In 1861, the Civil War began and Slough immediately began recruiting for the federal army. Colorado Governor William Gilpin appointed him as a captain of the 1st Colorado "Pike's Peakers" Infantry Regiment. Members of his regiment were initially skeptical of his loyalty to the Union due to his association with the Democratic Party. In August 1861, Slough was commissioned colonel in command of the regiment. In 1862, a Confederate army was invading the New Mexico Territory, had defeated Col. Edward R. S. Canby's troops at the Battle of Valverde, and captured Albuquerque and the capital of Santa Fe. Coming to the aid of the Union forces in New Mexico, Slough marched his regiment to Fort Union and, as the senior ranking officer, assumed command of the post and its New Mexico Volunteers. A Confederate force under Lt. Col. William Read Scurry was moving to capture Fort Union. Col. Slough marched his regiment toward Glorieta Pass to intercept Scurry. On March 26, 1862, an advanced unit met the Confederates at Apache Canyon, an inconclusive skirmish ensued.