The Nevada Democrat., 1861-09-05
HOstilItIes in Arlxona--surreRder OF
Federal Troops.
The Mesilla Times, Of July 2Tth, cor.

The Mesilla Times, Of July 2Th, COZ
tains the following:
Lieutenani-C Colonel Baylor, commanding
the Confederate forces at Fort Bliss, Texas.
lef, there on the 24lh instant, with the
forces under his command, for the Mesilla
valley. The fOrce under his command was
some 800 men. On the night of the 24th
position had been taken by the Copfedera.e
troops within GOO yards OF Fort Fillmore :;
piCktis we're placcd out, aad every precau
ton taken TO storm the iort-hy surprise ihs
1 next mat ming. at
The plan WOnla have bee0 q suecess but
for The drsrrti0n of picket Who went into
the fort aid gave the alarm The Confer-
eiate farce then moved across The river, a1d
al day light took The town Of Santa Tomas.
Two companies OF United States ITOops had
been stationed there, but had retreateo
Eight prisoners were taken and disarmeo,
after being sworn not to Rght against the
Couf,deracy. Abant ten o'clock the Cog
federate forces entered Nesllls aud were
Seceived with manifestations Of joy by the
citizens Preparations were Immediately
made 10 receive an attack from The United
States troops They were reported crossing
the river about noon OF the 25ih. The Fed
erals advanced TO within 500 yards of our
position. and halted and formed In line OF
hatIle, with TWO howitzers in abe centre OF
the infantry, and the wings of cavalry, Abe
whole force appearing 10 be abDui 500 men
A flag OF truce was then cent to our DO
sitiOn with the mOdest demand 10 surrender
the town. uncondiiiOnally. This was refu-
sed. They then unmasked their .gnps and
commenced firing bombs aud grape into the
town. Several shells were thrown IN differ.
ent pArte Of the Town, without doinR any
injury. After firing couple Of rounds OF
grape Ai the more advanced position Of our
force. the cavalry Of the enemy made
charge. and had advanced 10 within 800
yarLs If a corral. behind which Capt. Har.
dcman's company Oi mpnnied Fiaemen wore
stationed. Frum 40 TO 60 shots were fred
by This company, killing 4 aud wouadiDg
4 of the enemy. throwing them into confu.
sion aud finally tO retreat. thtir offieers
Vainly Trying 10 rally them. The eOrdar wes
given to charge. f0nE tines 10 no purpose,
aud they retired. carrying with them the
dead and wopnded. they were dishearten-
I'd by their i'll SUCCESS in ibe charge. ana o.
night Mas falling lhey drew OT their whole
force in good order 10 The Direction OF Fort
! Fillmore.
Lieut.. McNnllv Of ibeU.S. mounted RI
lies war wounded in the shoulder. Lieut..
| Brooks Of the 7th Infantry wAs wounded 10
the arm and had his sword shattered. 4
sergeant aud gunner we're among the killed.
Capt. George Frazier arrived on the night
Of The 25th fIom III PasO with company
Of ,Arizoha RaHgerR
Al ] O'cl0ck on The morning Of The 27th,
Major Lynde evacuated Fort Fillmore With
hr command, previously destroying much
valuable property aud munitions 0f war.
The United States troops reireaied 10 The
direction Of Fort Stanton. The road lay
over the table lands aud mountains to y
pass in the 0rgRDos chain. by way Of SAT
/ Augustine Springp, over route where
there was no water, aud the day was exees-
/ siyely warm.
Some 6 or 7 miles on this side Of lhe San
Augustine Syringe. siraRglerF Ofibe ". 5.
| Infantry wtre Oveflaken. Both friend and
Toe suffered intensely from thirst The
! miles TO the Springs was q succession Of
charges. Men were taken prisoners AND
disarmtd 10 tquads The artillery vas cap
lured and the greater portion Of the infAn-
try were taken before the main command
was reached.
Mai Lynde was encAmped near the Stn
Augustine Springs, and still some 400 met
with him. who formed 10 battle array Oh
the appearance Of the Confederate lrOops
Advance was made 10 charge them by our
troops. and they had reached within 800
yards when flag Of truce was raised o.
The u. S. column desiring TO know on gbAi
conditions our commander gDnld receive
surrender.
The reply was al unconditional snrreE-
der and this wss sought TO he modified By
the U. S. commander. which request vas re-
fused. further than that they would be 81
lowed twO hours 10 remove their women
ard children 10 q place Of safety.
The United States commander nnally
agreed to On unconditional surrender. OF
the eleven companies which mrvendered,
,hree were Of the regiment Of Mounted
Rilemen. eight companies. Of infantry. one
or tWO companies of the 9th aud the re-
maioder Of the 7th Regiments.
Tor TApnpu saws that he had rather 6Qht