Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-09-05
From the San Antonio Ledger.

LATEST NEWS.
 The War at Home!-Battle of Mesilla-
 Fort Fillmore in the hands of the Texas
 Forces-S50OO 900 Worth of Property
 Taken!!
 Lieut. Col Baylor, commanding the Confed. crate forces at Fort Bliss, Texas, left there on the 24th ult., with the forces under his command for the Mesilla Valley, with the design of pro tecting the citizens of Arizona, and relieving them of the oppression and presence ot large force of United States troops, and to prevent the further concentration oftroops at this point
 The force under his command was some 300 men, as follows Capt. Staford's company of mounted rifles, S5 men; Capt. Hardeman' s com pany of mounted rifles, 90 men; Lieut., Bonnet, with a detachment of Capt. Teel's Artillery 38 men; (they did not bring their cannon but were mounted;) Capt. Coopwood's Spy company, 40 men; added to these were a number of the citizens of Mesilla and Fl Paso; in all about 300 men.
 On the night of the 24th a position had been taken by the confederate troops, within six hun dred yards of 1t. Fillmore, and plckets were placed out and every precautlon taken to storm | the fort by surprise, the next morning at day break. The plan would have been complete success but for the assertion of a picket who went into the fort and gave the alarm. The fort was alive in few minutes, and it was evident the surprise was failure.
 | The confederate force then moved across the river, and at daylight took the town of Santo Tomas. Two companies of U. $. troops had been stationed there, but the birds had flown, evi- dently in great haste. Clothing, provisions, am- muntion and supplies were left behind in con- siderable quantities. Eight prisoners were ta- ken, disarmed and then discharged, after being Erh Baylor telling them that he would rather fight them than feed them.
 About ten o'clock the confederate forces en- tered Mesilla, and were received with every manifestation of joy by the citizens. Vivas and hurrahs rang them welcome from every point Preparations were immediately made to receive an attack from the U $. troops and the citizens offered all the forage and supplies that they had at their command.
 BATTLE OF MEsILLA
 The U S. troops were reported crossing the river about noon of the 25th. About o'clock the clouds ofdust indicated the enemy were ad- vancing for an attack towards the southern part and every preparation made to g i've the warmest of the city. The whole force sent to that point of reception. Several of the principal streets of Mesilla converge at the southern end of the town, the houses forming an angle and are quite scattered old corrals and the proximity of the corn fields, make the position very advan- tageous one for defence. The companies were stationed on the tops of the adobe houses and behind the corrals, Capt. Coopwoods com pany was mounted. The citizens posted them selves on the tops of houses on the principal streets prepared to render assistance. | The enemy advanced to within 300 yards ofou position, and halted and formed in line of bat l ..l +1,o,, ofra, d tba,, f,,,tr, and on the wings cavalry the whole force ap- bearing to be about 300 men. A flag of truce was then sent to our position, with the modest demand to surrender the town internationally; the reply was 'that if they wished the town to come and take it." They unmasked their guns, and commenced firing bombs and grape into a l town crowded with women and children, without having. in according with an nvariable rule of civilized warfare, given notice to remove,the wo- men and children to places of safety. Several shells were thrown in different parts of the town fortunately without doing any injury to single individual Two companies were ordered to take their position on the top of the houses on the main plaza. The first shell thrown struck on the top of building on which was stationed portion of Capt Teel's company and explo- 1 ded.
 1 After firing a couple of rounds of grape at the | | ry of the enemy made a charge and had advanc- ! ed to within 300 yards of corral behind which Capt. Hardemans company stationed- From 40 to 60 shots were fired by this company, killing four and woundng four of the enemy, throwing them into confusion and finally into retreat, their officers vainly trynig to charge four times to no purpose and they retired in confusion, carrying, with them the dead and wounded.
 Capt Coopwood's company had been contin- ually employed in deploying among the houses and corrals, first appearing mounted and then on foot, and appearing in many different directions. This and other movements, and the appearance of men both far and near, at many different points succeeded in greatly deceiylng the enemy as to our real force. They were disheartened by their i'll success in the charge, and as night was falling they drew their whole force in good order in the direction of Fort Fillmore. EVACUATION OF FORT FILLMORE.
 At one o'clock on the morning of the 21th Mai. Lvnde evacuated It. Fillmore with all his command; previously destroying much valua ble property and munitions of war. The sol diers destroyed much of their company proper ty. muskets, clothing, blacksmith shop, bakery, and one of the qua artermaster's store rooms had been completely burned down. The majority of the buildings were uninj and can be i'm mediately occupied by the confederate forces The hospital stores, medicines and furniture were most completely broken up, and nearly all the arms and large quantity of ammunition were destroyed. A great deal ofvaluable commis- sary stores and other property was unharmed, to the amount of several thousand dollars. THE RETREAT.
 The U s. troops retreated in the direction of Fort Stanton, and were seen by our scouts immediately after daylight, eight or ten miles east of Los Cruses, in the mountains. The whole command of confederate troops were or dered in pursuit, and crowded on in full chase after the tugitves. The road lay over the table lands and mountains to a pass in the Organos chain, by way of San Augustine Springs, over a route where there was no water, and the day was excessively warm.
 Some six or seven miles on this side of the San Augustine, stragglers of the U. s. infantry were overtaken and the way to the Springs had the appearance of complete rout. Guns were strung along the road and cartridge boxes.
 The six miles to the Springs was a success sion of charges; men were taken prisoners and dsarmed in squads; the artillery was captured and the greater portion of the infantry were taken before the main command was reached. THE SURRENDER.