The Battle of Lincoln was the largest armed engagement of the Lincoln County War, ultimately leading to Pat Garrett's campaign that killed Billy the Kid.
Key Facts
- Duration
- Five days (July 15–19, 1878)
- Conflict
- Lincoln County War
- Territory
- New Mexico Territory
- Intervening Force
- U.S. Cavalry from Fort Stanton
- Territorial Governor Appointed
- Lew Wallace, September 1878
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The battle arose from the ongoing Lincoln County War, a violent conflict between the Murphy-Dolan Faction and the Regulators over commercial and political dominance in Lincoln County, New Mexico Territory. Tensions had escalated through months of killings and retaliations preceding this confrontation.
Between July 15 and 19, 1878, the Murphy-Dolan Faction and the Regulators engaged in a five-day firefight in the town of Lincoln, New Mexico. The engagement, the largest battle of the Lincoln County War, was ultimately interrupted and suppressed by United States Cavalry under Lt. Col. Nathan Dudley of Fort Stanton.
Following the battle, many Regulators dispersed or returned to civilian life. Territorial Governor Lew Wallace, appointed in September 1878, tasked Sheriff Pat Garrett with restoring order. Within three years, Garrett and his deputies had killed William 'Billy the Kid' Bonney and other holdouts still operating in the region.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
2 belligerents
Lt. Col. Nathan Dudley.
Side B
1 belligerent