Washington sentinel., 1854-01-26
From the San Francisco Herald of the 10th.
stirring News from the South.

Another battle Walkers battalion junction Of
Waikinss and Walkers Jorces--estaJii Jiistme1a Of
1oytifcatt0ns
The steamship Southerner arrived at her wharf
at FIVE mnutesbefore two O'Clock, yesterday after
noon, bringing late and authentic news from the
seat Of war in Lower California, which we copy
from the San Diego Heraid Extra, ofDec. %
We give below the stirring accounts of the ope-
ratons Of the Independent battalion in Lower Cal
ilornia, received by private and special express
from the seat ofgovernment at Ensenada.
We do not hear that any outside assistance has
yet been received by President Walkers battalion,
and their achievements have been conducted by
the original force without help from any quarter.
The house in which the party have fortified them
selves is a one story adobe, with thick walls con-
tanning large storehouse and two smaller rooms.
This is good defence against the small arms of
the attacking party but less able to Withstand the
fire ofcannon shot.
We hear, verbally that the besiegers have been
active and untiring IN their efforts TO dislodge the
garrison, but were met with equal spirit and enter
prise by the defenders.
The Mexican report Of the loss Of some Of the
American party is also denied. II will be seen by
the letter that only one was wounded in the recent
ahray. sN
ENsENApA DE ToDos SANTOS.
Fort Mckibben, l.. Cs Dec. 16, 1858.
have only time to give you brief statement
Of the operations of the command Of Col. Walker,
since the landing of our forces at this place.
After having taken the town of La Paz, together
with the two governors, lEspinosa and Reyolle-
daO in the early part of November, we landed at
this place on the I'd inst, and remained here in
peace until the morning of the 5th, when the COM
mand of Col Millendrez and Nigreta surrounded
our position, and attempted by rather well got
ten up rnse TO destroy our party by an ambuscade.
We fought them in every way they desired, but,
being without horses, always failed TO overtake
them when they made their several desperate
charges, until at length, on the morning of the
Nth, at a very early hour, when Millendrezs
party were nearly frozen with cold rain, which
had fallen very heavy, a detachment of twenty OF
our men, under command of Lieutenant Croker,
attacked them in their strong posltion and routed
them completely, compelling them 10 "pamose the
ranch" in such double-quick style as to forget
their clothing, firearms, Indian arrows, horses,
blankets, &c. to say nothing of one very prettily
mounted brass field piece, and many other articles
peculiar 10 the tented field.
have not time to give you full details of this
affair and several interesting skirmishes which
have occurred in this vicinity between our forces
and those of MillendreZ and Nigreta, but will be
more particular in my next. We had only one
man wounded in the afiray OF the 10th, and know
that we killed several Of the enemy, and wounded
several of them.
Millendrez, during the several days skirmsh-
ing, sent three flags Of truce 10 Colonel Walker,
aud tried to violate the last Two by sending scouts
around position which he could not have OBJ
tanned in any other way. But in this, rs well as
in backguard note, he failed most signaly. His
scouts We're headed, off, and his nsolent illiterate
note sent back unanswered, until Colonel Walker
sent Lieutenant Crocker with twenty men, as
above related TO whip about one hundred of
them.
Our Colonel had asked for these twenty men
as volunteers, with the intention OF commanding
them iii person ; but was dssuaded from doing so
by the men, who considered his services neees-
sary TO the defence Of our temporary fort.
.. Yours,
SAMUEL rutland,
Second Lieut., Walkers Independent Battalion.