New Mexico’s historic Battle of Valverde site, near the old Rio Grande riverbank, drew the attention of local paranormal researcher and author Cody Polston this week. Polston, known for investigating haunted locations, set out to test long‑standing legends tied to the 1862 Civil War clash.

Historical backdrop

The Battle of Valverde, fought on February 28, 1862, saw Union troops from Fort Craig attempting to block Confederate forces from advancing toward Colorado’s mineral wealth. Polston noted that the engagement is often overlooked, describing it as “a battle out in the West, too much sun, and people don’t think about it.” More than 500 soldiers lost their lives in the fierce fighting.

Testing the cannon‑fire legend

One popular story claims that on the battle’s anniversary the sound of cannon fire can be heard echoing from Fort Craig. Polston and his team spent several hours conducting observations along the old riverbank, but reported, “We have nothing at all to report, nothing that sounded anything remotely like a cannon.”

Headless cowboy tale

Polston also recounted a story he heard at the Valverde Hotel in Socorro, where a cowboy claimed to have encountered a headless man with a musket while searching for a lost calf near the historic lancer charge site. The cowboy described a figure emerging from a bush, firing a musket, and then disappearing, leaving his horse spooked.

To evaluate the claim, Polston’s team recreated the scene, timing the shooter’s line of sight for four seconds—the period the cowboy said he lost sight of the rider. After the reenactment, Polston concluded that the anecdote could be explained by natural factors and human imagination.

Unexplained gunpowder scent

While most paranormal reports were debunked, Polston noted a lingering mystery. While walking near the old magazine at Fort Craig, he and his crew detected a strong gunpowder odor that lingered for several seconds before fading. “You can smell it clear as day,” Polston said, adding that the scent vanished quickly.

Continuing the search for truth

Polston has investigated numerous reports of strange activity at historic battlegrounds across the Southwest, aiming to separate folklore from fact. He emphasized that rational explanations often prevail, but some phenomena—like the brief gunpowder smell—remain puzzling and merit further study.

For readers interested in the history of the Battle of Valverde or in learning more about local legends, Polston encourages visiting the site and exploring the rich heritage of New Mexico’s Civil War era.

Original reporting: KOAT Albuquerque — read the source article.