Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1848-06-17
From the Washington Union.
Official,
BATTLE OF SANTA CRUZ DE


ROSALES.
We are indebted to the War Department
for the following full and very interesting
report of the military operations prior to
and during the seige and capture of Santa
Cruz de Rosales, in New Mexico. 1t is
praise enough TO state that these trarsac-
tons of peace with the gallaniry and the
glory which have marked all the opera
lions of the brilliant war. They rebound,
like all the rest, TO the honor of the com.
manding general, officers, and men of the
army of New Mexico, and TO the glory of
our country:
HEADoUARTERs, ARMY OF THE WEST,
Chihuahua. March, 81, ls4s.
GENERAL: ! have the honor 10 submit
report of my operations from the period of
adopting the intentions expressed in my
communication on to the war department,
dated 9Th February ls4s, 10 the present in.
slant.
After making such arrangements, both
military and civil, as deemed essential for
the security and tranquility of New Mexi.
CO. took up the line Of march on the s,h
of February, with one company Missouri
Horse, for Ell Paso; where l had previous.
OIuClCu q SOuSCutidklOI VI the IOll0WlOO
troops to operate against the State of Chi.
huahua, viz: three companies United States
dragons, commanded by Maj. B. L. Beae
-one of which was acting as light artil.
lery, under the command of Lieut.. Love;
six companies Missouri horse, under the
command of Colonel Rails, five companies
Missouri infantry, under the command of
Lieutenant Col. Easlon; and Major Wal
ker's battalion of Santa Fe horse, 3 compa
mics of horse and one of light artillery.
On the 23d arrived at Ell Paso, direct
from Santa Fe $40 miles. where measures.
was at once adopted for the intended oper.
atoms; the peculiar characteristics and gen.
eral features Of the country embracing the
privations which must necessarily be en-.
dured on the road thus travelled. have been
l believe, already submitted TO the depart
ment in former reports.
The additional information at FL Paso
confirming the many reports respecting the
hostile intentions of the enemy. supported
by positive evidence as TO extended prepar-
atoms in the fabrication of cannon and mu-
nitions of war, together with contributions
of small arms from the adjoining States, in
duced me to change my original plan Of
operations; and adopt forced marches with
my best mounted troops, for the purpose of
striking blow before the enemy could con-
ceive my design. With this determination,
despatched Major Walker with three COM
panies of his battalion on the night of the
cath, to occupy the small town of CarrizaI,
distant from Ell Paso 90 miles, and so stu
ated as to command all the passes leading
10 Chihuahua. This command had orders
to reconnotre the country; cut off all COM
munication, by establishing strong pickeis;
and make every effort TO obtain information
respecting the designs and movements of
the enemy.
On the lst of March, after having been
delayed by the non.arrval of my supply
trains. conducted as they were compelled
to be by inexperienced officers, | resumed
my march with four companies of Rails
and two of Beall's command, supplied with
eight days subsistence, leaving orders for
Loves artillery, the remainder of Rails
command, under Lieut.. Col. Lane, and Eas.
tons infantry, with the exception of one
company. which designed as additional
protection 10 The train. yet in the rear, to
march on the Cd. Major Walker, at Car.
rizal, received no additional information
but succeeded in effectually stopping al
communication with the enemy.
Thus far my march was successful, and
continued SO until the night of the 6th.-
When within sixty miles of Chihuahua. a
small party of my advance unexpectedly
came upon one Of the enemy's picke's
which unfortunately succeeded in escaping
, Aware now that my approach would bs
known on the following morning. ] pushed
for ward my comma nd until arrived with