Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-03-11
VERY LATE AND IMPORTANT FROM
SANTA FEi
Battle near FL Paso!!!--The Americans
Vicf0rious!!
From The So. Louis Union.
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Vict0riouS!.
From The ST. Louis Union.
LATE AND IIfPORTAN Mt FRO M SANTA FE
1t Will be seen by the following letter from In
dependence correspondent, that there has been two
arrivals from Santa Fe, within the last few days
The rst letter OF our correspondent has not come
hand, but Notwithstanding we are able to publish
brief account of the battle in this mornings Union
This evening we lay before readers a more full
and accurate account:
4 INDEPENDENCE, Feb. 16 1917.
DEAR SIR To-day another company arrived from
the plains, bringing Santa Fe dates as tate January
7th-
The news which sent you yesterday is confirmed
in almost every particular and enclose you an Off
cia report of the battle printed in Santa Fe, and
me by friend Yours, &c, r.
On the 25th of December, 1876, the Mexican forces
from the city of Chihuahua, (abOut eleven hundred
number) met the United States forces under command
Of Col. A. w. Doniphan, consisting of six hundred
men, 500 Of them being of his troops, the LIST
regiment of Nj. M. Volunteers, and detachment of
lOO men from Santa Fe, under command of Lieut..
Col. MITCHELL of the I'd remisnent, consisting Of 40
men from Maj. Carks battalion of light artillery,
(under command of Capt. Hudson and Lieut.. Kribben)
and 10 from Col. Prices regiment and COL Wieck's
battalion, % miles this side of FL Paso.
The following is the substance Of a letter from
Col. Doniphanl
Col. d. states that he has met the enemy and con-
I
Their states that the enemy attacked him when his
men were In great confusion, but they called
gerher Immediately and drawn up as infantry, and
received three fires from the enemy, when the whole
line opened broadsde telling with great effect, and
breaking the entire line of the enemy. Capt Reid
made gallant charge after the third fire with sixteen
mounted men and in his attack killed several of the
enemy. One mule load of powder and several horses
and mules were captured. Most of the Mexcans who
were killed were shot in the head, evidence that
our men shoot too high The battle lasted about half
an hour. There was only about 20 minutes TO prepare
from the time the enemy were discovered
! Thomas Forsyth, who brought the express, says
that the Americans had glorious Christmas frolic
the liquor, bread and wine which they captured.
We are under tie greatest obligations to Major
Clark, for the following report from Lieut.. Kribben,
giving true and correct account, and the full par
ticulais of the battle.
Detachment of No. Light Artillery Camp 5eloc Bro
cile, Rio Grande, Dec. 26, 1916.
DEAR SIR:-I can only write you few lines,
being upon the point of breaking up camp. Our de-
tachment at Fray Crstobal overlook Col. Doniphans
command. MAJOR Gilpin, with $50 men, bad previ-
ousy left for FL Paso and Col Jackson following
with 200 men. Col. Doniplan had but 80 men with
him. the remainder of his regiment being sick, at
tending sick, and detached through the country
From Fray Cristobal our detachment marched with
Col. Donlphan SOUTH when at the Laguna of the Jor
NADIA del Muerte, news reached through express
sent by Maj Gllpn that the Alexcans had determined
to resist at FL Paso, and had collected considerable
number OF troops, intending to give US battle. An
express had been sent Santa Fe for part of the
tillery under Maj Clark but no news had as yet
reached Us from there that the detachment of 30
men from the three companies of our corps are all
that are here from the battalion. AT the southern
end of the Jornada ten miles north of Don Ana the
traders are encamped. Contradictory rumors Of the
enemy's approach reached us daily.
Yesterday. christmas davl when we had inst ar
rived in camp here, with about 600 men, had unsad-
died, our animals. and most of the men engaged
in carrying wood and water the news was brought
into camp of the enemys being in sight and advancing
1t was about two O'Clock p. NJ and the day very
pleasant. Our horses were grazing some distance
from camp at the time we formed single line and
determined to meet the enemy as infantry. Their
attacking being evidently designed the left flank,
near which was our wagon train our detachment was
ordered from the extreme right TO the left, where
soon took up our position. One piece of artillery,
400 regular lancers and cavalry and 100 regular in
fanry, besides some 500 militia troops from FL Paso,
composed the enemys force according to the best in
formation can obtain from reports Of prisoners and
from papers found in the baggage on the field. The
enemy ranged themselves the within half a
mile of our line, the mountains in their In our
rear was the river, with little brush-wood on its
banks.
! Previous to the encounter Lieutenant from their
ranks came forward waving black flag in his hand,
but halted when within 100 steps of our line Thorn
as Caldwell, our interpreter, rode out to meet him.
The messenger with the black flag of defiance demand
ed that the Commander should come into their camp
and speak TO their General The reply was al If
your General wants TO our commander let him
come here" We shall break your ranks tLen and
take him there the retort of the Mexican
" Come and take him." said our interpreter, unwit-
tngy using the phrase of the Spartan at Thermopy.
!" A curse on you, prepare for CHARGE" cried the
| Mo- W Il.
waving his black flag gracefully his head gaop-
ed back towards the enemys line. Their charge was
made by the Dragons from their right, directed upon
left flank bringing detachment into the closest
fire. Their infantry, with one howitzer with them,
at the same time attacking our right flank.
| Their charge handsome one. but was too
well, too cooly met, TO break our line. After their
fire had been SPENT their front column being at about
100 steps from the the front of our flank, our line
poured volley into them, which being few times
repeated, created such havoc in their columns, that
their force wheeled to the left retreating from
fire. and in their fight made an attack the provs-
ion train. Here they met very warm reception,
and were soon compelled to fly in all directions and
in the utmost confusion. Their infantry having been
put to flight the Howard company, under the COM
mand of Lieut.. N. Wright, taking advantage of the
panic charged upon them and took their cannon from
them-this manned by the artillery detach-
ment, under Lieut. Krbben, in Col. Mchhelrs escort.
lHe enemy ndu ny lni> Tune ueu, iedfihS tneH aims,
baggage, provisions and other stores the field of
| battle.
A small body of mounted men, under the command
Of Capt Reid. had by this time gathered together in
line and charged upon the enemy, pursuing them
into the mountains, where they sought refuge.
The number of their dead is said to be at least 80
that of their wounded is slight far can be
tanned. Had we a single piece of cannon with US,
they would have lost more of their men, but having
no artillery on our side we had to act as infantry
Ill we got possession of the howitzer, so CALAMITY
cd l,rf he Hl,,uard con,nanu