The Battle of Lincoln

The final chapter of NM’s infamous mercantile/range war.

July 15-19, 1878. The climax of New Mexico Territory’s Lincoln County War. The Regulators are holed up in the McSween house (illustration). The fighters for The House are across the street. For the first three days, there’s little damage. But then U.S. troops from Ft. Stanton arrive and aim their guns at the Regulators. Someone sets fire to the home and the Regulators make a break for safety. Five Regulators are killed; at least two of The House combatants also die. With their leader gone, the Regulators break up–and The House cements its hold on Lincoln and surrounding territory.