Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-08-27
9ailg gppeaI.
CAPTURE OF FORT FILLMoRE-sU RRENDER o.
THE FEDERAL FORCES.

which it copies the following account Of the
successfuI expedition Of Col. Baylor:
Tieutanspt- Colonel Baylor, commanding the
Confederate forces at Fort Bliss, Texas, left
there on the 24.h inst, with the forces under
his command, tor the Mesilia Valley, with the
design Of protecting the citizens OF Arizona,
and relieving them Of the oppression and pres
enee Of a large force Of UnILed States troops,
and to prevent the further concentration OF
troops at this point.
TIE force u1dsr his command was some 500
mer, as follows: Cspt. Stsford's company or
mounted rifles, So men; Capt. HlIdemgu-s
company Of mounted Tiaes, 90 men; LieufeB-
ant Bennett, With a detachment OF Captain
Teeie's artillery, 3S men; Obey did not bring
their cannon, bat were IGOuntsd): Captain
Co0pN ood's Spy company, 20 meu; a2ded to
these were a humber Cf the citizens ct Mesil.a
ana El PasO; in all, ABOUT goo men.
0G the uigh Of the 2ilh, position had been
taken by the Confederate troops, within SIX
hundred yards o. Fort Fillmore, and Pieke's
were ,2lsced out ana every preeautioR taken 70
ssoTrz the fort By surprise the next morning at
dagbTeak. TIE plan would have been a con-
piete success, but for the desertion Of a picket
who went into the fort and gave the alarm.
The fort vas alive in few minutes, and il
was evident the surprise was a failure
The Confederate force then moved across the
Tomas. Two companies Of Uaited States
troops had been stationed there, but the birds
had flown, evidently in great haste. Clothing,
provisions, ammunition and supplies were left
behind IN considerable qualities. Eight pTis-
oHers were taken, disaFmed and then dts
charged, afCeT being sHorn 10 to fight against
ths Confederacy, Col. Baylor telling them that
be would rather 4 ghs them than feed them.
About 10 O'Clock the Confederate forces en-
tered Media; and were received vita every
manifestation OF Joy by the citizens. ViVas
and huTras rang them welcome from every
point. Preparations were Immediately made
TO rsce We an attack from the United States
troops; and the citizens offered all the forage
and supplies that they had at their command.
BATTLE OF MEsILLA.
TIE United States troops were reported
crossing The river about noon Of the 2j.h.
Abog o'clock, the clouds of dust indicated
the enemy were ADVANCING for an attack to-
ward the southern part OF the city. The whole
force was moved 20 that point, AID every prep
ardtiou made to give them the vsrmest Of re-
ceptioEs. Several OF the principal streets Of
Mesilia converge at the southern end OF the
town, the houses forming an angle, and they
are quite scattered; old cOrrsis, and the ProX
unity OF the corn-heids, make be position
very advantageous one for defense. The COM
panies were stationed on the tops OF the ad be
woods company was mounted. The citizens
posted themselves or the tops Of the houses on
the principal streets, prepared to render their
assistance
The enemy advanced TO within FIVE hundred
yards Of our position aud halted aud formed
in line Of battle with tive howziters in the
center and the Infantry, and on the wings
cavalry, the whole force appearing to be about
five hancred men. A flag Of truce was then
sent 10 our position with the modest demand TO
surrender the town uUconditionslly; the reply
was. " that if they wished the town 20 come
and take it," They unmasked teeT guns, and
eomnsBced firing bOTbs and gTape into town
GRO oEded wi b women and children, without
having, 10 accordance with an invaTabs rule
Of civilized warfare, given notice to remove
the women and children to place Of safety.
Several shells were thrown in different parts OF
the town, fortunately without do,Hg any injury
to 4 single individual Two companies were
ordered to take tseir position on TIE top Of the
houses en TIE main plaza. TIE +. st shell
thrown s ruek or he TOP Of building on
witch was stationed portion of Captain
Teeis's company snd exploded.
After firing couple Of rounds Of grape at
tAe more advanced position OF cur force, the
cavalry 0f the enemy made A charge, and haa
Advanced TO within three hundred yards OF a
eurrai, behind which Cant. HaTdeman's con-
psay were stationed. From forty to sixty
E0Cf6 were t4ltA eJ Lai- company ktlliDE iOLi
and woundtng four. OF the enemy, throwing
them into confusion, and f0aly into retreat,
teeir oficsrs vainiy trying TO rally them. The
oTdeF was given 70 charge four times to no
parpose, aud they retired in confusion, cary
Ing with them The dead and wounded
Capt CoopR00d's company had been con-
tinusilY employed in dsploying among Tie
houses and coTrals, st appearing mounted
and then ca f9ot, and appearing IN many differ
ffrar 5rnr 2 "a r1n
the Appearance of men both Far and near, at
many different points, succeeded 10 greatly de-
esivlng he enemy as to our real force They
were dIsbezTlensa by their ~ success in the
charge, snd as night was falling they drew of
tbsir force II good order, in the direction Of
foIt Fillmore.
EVACUATION CT FORT FILLMORE.
At one O'Clock on the morning Of the 27tn,
Major LynGe evacuated Fort Fillmore with all
his conmsrd; previously destroying much val
usnfe proBerty ard munitions OF war. The
soldiers destroyed nuch of their company
properly TuHskets, clothing, blacksmith shop,
bakery, and me OF he qrarieTmasteT's store
roous bad been completely burned down. The
msi0TitV of the buildings were HniUiured. and
can be Immediately occupied b. the Confede-
rate forces. TIE hospital st0rFs, medicines
and furniture were most completely broken M,
and nearly all the arms and large quantity
Of ammuition were destroyed. A great deal
Of valuable commissaTy stores and other prop
erty was unhsTmed, to he amount OF several
thousand dollars.
THE RETREAT.
TIE United States troops retreated in the
direction eS Fort Staunton, sRd were seen by
our scouts Immediately after daylight, eight or
ten miles east Of Los Cruces, in the mountains.
The whole commend of Confederate troops
were ordered in pursuit, and crowded on in fun
chase after the fugitIve5. The road lay over
the table lands and mountains to pass in the
Organos chain, by way of San Augustine
Springs, ever rOnte where there was no wa
ter, and the day was excessively warm
some six or seven miles on this side OF tAe
San Augustine springs, stragglsrs Of TIE United
States infsn'Ty were overtaksn, and the way
to The springs lad the appearance OF a com.
plete rout. Guns were strung along the road,
and cartridge The six miles TO the
springs was a succession OF charges; men
were taken prisoners and dsaTmed in squads /;
% the artillery was captured, and the greater
portion sf the Infantry were taken before the
main command was reached.
THE SURRENDER
Major Lynds was csmped near The San Au-
gustiae Springs and had still some four hun
dred men with him, who formed in battle ar
YsY on Ebe appearance OF the Confederate
troops. Advance was made to charge on
them BY our troops, and tley mad reached
within 800 yards, with eager spirits for the
frav, wien flag Of truce was raised by the
q. s. column, desiring to know on what con-
ditiens our commander would receive s-sGr
render Tie reply was, an unconditional sur
render-ibe same terms they had endeavored
20 dictate 10 the Confederate fercss. This
was sought to be taod.fed By the United
States commander, which request was refused,
further than they would be allowed two hours
to remove their women ard children to a place
of safety The United States COMMANDER
finally agreed to an unconditional surrender
In brief, during this day eleven companies
Of United States regular troops, mounted and
foot. mastering 700 effective men, surrendered
TO 28e ConfeaeTates, fsuT pieces Of cannon,
arms eouipments, 200 cavalry horses, mules
and wsFoae, and 30 head Of beef cattle. The
men aad officers re disappointed in one thing
alone-that the victory was go easily won
All these in np0rbant movements and the great
Fnccess have been made and gained without
the Ioss. Of one drop OF blood on the Con
federate side.
The following are the names Of the federal
officers captured;
Mouated Rides, whole cOmpa-v captured
newly armed with fne rifles, also go beef cat
a-in their charge. Captain, Alfred Gibbs