Fortune found in Las Cruces

As an amateur history researcher, I have identified many veterans of America’s wars who ultimately came to reside in Doña Ana County. Among them is a particularly remarkable man who came from France, fought valiantly in the Civil War, and made Las Cruces his final home.

This man is George Fortune, whose remains lie in Las Cruces. George’s story first came to light through archived newspaper articles I discovered by chance while conducting research in the Doña Ana county clerk’s archival vault. What began as a routine search quickly turned into a fascinating journey into the life of a man whose experiences spanned continents and conflicts.

Born Georges Fortuné around 1828 in Paris, France, little is known about George’s early years, but by his early 20s he had traveled to Nicaragua, likely as part of an international labor effort tied to French mining interests. Drawn by opportunity, he later made his way to the United States during the California Gold Rush in the mid-1850s, settling for a time in San Francisco.

When news of the Civil War reached California, George — then in his mid-30s — enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1862. He joined the 2nd U.S. Heavy Artillery Regiment, Company B, committing to a two-year term of service.

He was soon reassigned to the eastern theater of the war, where he participated in several major engagements, including the Battle of Gettysburg and the Battle of the Wilderness. Serving as an artillery gunner, George saw intense combat and is believed to have been wounded, leading to his first discharge in early 1864.

Despite his injuries, George re-enlisted shortly thereafter as part of a 100-day emergency militia unit. On May 19, 1864, he joined Knapp’s 1st Battalion, Pennsylvania Independent Light Artillery, likely enlisting in Pittsburgh.

Assigned to the Army of the Potomac, he continued to serve in active combat. However, while on guard duty near Richmond, Virginia, he suffered a severe case of sunstroke.

This ultimately led to his return to California, where he received an honorable disability discharge on Sept. 15, 1864, at the age of 36. In total, George is believed to have fought in more than 20 battles.

After the war, George struggled to find direction. He briefly returned to mining in Nicaragua before making his way to New York City in 1865. Around 1883, he had relocated to Las Cruces. There, he took on work as a cowboy, driving cattle along the Jornada del Muerto for rancher John Bryan Bowman.

Though details of his employment remain uncertain, it is known that George later applied for and received military disability benefits in 1888. He had numerous friends who would care for him and was popular at church and amongst the people of Las Cruces for his giving nature.

In his later years, George’s health declined steadily due to his combat injuries and having never fully recovered from his sunstroke. By 1898, he was living as an invalid in a building owned by Colonel Eugene Van Patten. On Feb. 20 of that year, George Fortune passed away. His death did not go unnoticed.

Members of the Grand Army of the Republic quickly organized a funeral procession in his honor. His body was carried through Las Cruces in a wagon, followed by fellow veterans, and laid to rest the same day in the Protestant section of what is now San Jose Cemetery.

Services were conducted by both Methodist and Presbyterian clergy, reflecting his reputation as a devoted Christian and respected member of the community.

Today, the exact location of George’s grave remains unknown. It is believed to lie within the cemetery’s oldest Protestant section, where many markers have been lost to time. Yet, even without a headstone, his story endures.

George Fortune’s life embodies the spirit of perseverance, toughness, bravery and adventure. An immigrant who embraced the opportunities of his adopted country, he served with courage during one of its most defining conflicts.

That he chose to begin anew as a cowboy in Las Cruces at the age of 55 speaks to his resilience and determination. Judging by the outpouring of respect shown at his parade and funeral, he was clearly a valued member of the community — one whose story, though nearly lost, deserves to be remembered.