Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1847-02-27
ARMY OF THE WEST.
OF BRACITO,, -
NEW MEXICO.
GLORIOUS VICTORY!!!

GLORIOUS VICTORY!!!
On the 25th of December, 1916, the
Mexicon forces from the city of chihuahua
(about 100 in numbeDmet the U. s. forces
under the command of Col. A. w. Doni-
phan, consisting of 900 men, 500 of them
being of his own troops, the LIST regiment
of NJ. M. Volunteers, and detachment Of
100 men from Santa Fe, under command
of It. Colonel Mitchell, of the I'd regi-
ment, consisting Of 80 men from Maj
Clark's battalion of light artillery, (under
command of Capt. Hudson and Lit. Krib-
benz and 10 from Col. Prices regiment
and Col. Wilock's battallion-25 miles this
side of Ell Passo
The follouing is the substance of letter
from Col. Doniphan.]
COL d. states that he has met the enemy
and conquered, and is going on to take
Ell Passo. He further states that the enemy
attacked him when his men were in great
confusion, but they were called together
Immediately and drawn up as infantry, and
received three fires from the enemy when
the whole line opened broadside telling
with great effect and breaking the entire
line Of the enemy. Capt. Reid made
gallant charge after the third fire with l6
mounted men, and in his attack killed sew
eral of the enemy. One mule load of
powder and several horses and mules were
captured. Most Of the Mexicans who were
killed were shot in the head-an 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 Elk.
press, says that the Americans had glo-
rrious Christmas frolc on the liquor, bread
and wine which they captured.
We are under the greatest obligations
to Maj. Clark for the following report from
Lieut.. Kribben, giving a true and correct
account, and the full particulars of the bat
tie.
Detachment of Mo. Light Artillery,
camp below Bracito, Rio Grande, Dec. &c,
ls46.)
DEAR SIR:-I can only write to you
few lines being on the point of breaking
up camp. Our detachment at Fray Chris
toval overlook Col. Doniphan's command.
Major Gilpin, with $50 men had previously
left for Ell Passo and Col. Jackson was fol.
IDWIIS HItII WIFI <OO iiICu wi.
had but $50 men with him, the remainder
of his regiment being sick, attending on
sick, and detached through the country.
From Fray Christoval our detachment
marched with Col. Doniphan south. when,
at the Laguna of the tornado del Muerte,
news reached us through an Express sent
by Major Gilpin that the Mexicans had
determined to resist at El Passo, and had
collected considerable number of troops
intending to give US battle.
An express had been sent to Santa Fe
for part of the artillery under Maj. Clark,
but no news had as yet reached us from
there--so that the detachment of 80 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 Donna Anna, the traders
had encamped. Contradictory rumors of
the enemy's approach reached US daily.
Yesterday, christmas day. when we had
just arrived in camp here, with about 600
men, and unsaddled our animals and most
of the men were engaged in carrying wood
and water, the news was brought into
camp of the enemy's being in sight and
advancing. 1t was cbout two o'clock, p.
NJ, and the day was very pleasant. Our
horses grazing some distance from camp
at the time, we formed single line and
determined to meet the enemy as Infantry.
Their attack being evidently designed on
the left flank, near which was our wagon
train, our detachment was ordered from
the extreme right to the left, where we
soon took up our position. One piece of
artillery, 400 regular lancers and Cavalry,
and 100 Regular Infantry, besides some
five hundred Militia troops from Ell Passo
composed the enemy's force, according to
the best information / can obtain from
reports of prisoners and from papers found
amongst the baggage on the field of battle.
The enemy ranged themselves on the east
within half mile of our line, the noun
tains in their rear. In our rear was the
river with little brushwood on its banks
! Previous TO the encounter Lieutenant