Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-08-28

vas and hurras rang them welcome from every
point. Preparations were Immediately made
to receive an attack from the United States
troops; and the citizens offered all the forage
and supplies that they had at their command,
BATTLE OF MEsIILA
The United States troops were reported
crossing the river about noon OF the 18th.
About five o'clock the clouds of dust indicat-
ed the enemy were advancing for an attack
towards the southern part of the city. The
whole force was moved to that point, and
every preparation made to give them the
warmest of receptions. Several of the prin-
cipal streets of Mesilla converge at the south
ern end of the town. the houses forming an
angle, and they are quite scattered; old cor
ais and the proximity of the corn fields make
the position very advantageous one for de-
tense. The companies were stationed on the
tops of the adobe houses and behind the cor
ais. Capt. Chopwood's company was mount
ed. The citizens posted themselves on the
tops of the houses on the principal streets,
prepared to render their assistance.
The enemy advanced to within five hun
dred yards OF our position and halted and
formed in line of battle with two howitzers
in the center and the infantry, and on the
wings cavalry. the whole force app airing to
be about five hundred men. A flag of truce
was then sent to our position with the mod
est demand to surrender the town uncon-
ditionally 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 town crowd ed with
women and children, without having, in &C
cordance with an invariable 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 doing any injury
| to single individual. Two companies were
| ordered to take their position on the tops of
| the houses on the main plaza. The first shell
struck on the top of the building on which
| was portion of Capt. Teele's company and
exploded.
After firing a couple of rounds of grape at
| the more advanced position of our force, the
cavalry of the enemy made a charge and had
advanced to within three hundred yards of a
corral, behind which Capt. Hardeman's CON-
pany were stationed. From forty to sixty
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 trying to rally them
The order was given to charg four times to
| no purpose, and they retired in confusion
carrying with them the dead and wounded
Capt. ChopwoOd's company had been con-
tinually employed in deploying among the
houses and corrals, first appearing mounted
and then On foot, and appearing in many
different directions. This and other move.
ments, and the appearance of men both far
and near, at many different points, succeeded
in greatly deceivIng the enemy as to our real
force. They were disheartened by their ill.
|, success in the charge, and as night was fall
ing they drew off their force in good order
| in the direction of Fort Fillmore.
EVACUATION OF FORT FILLMORE.
At O'Clock on the morning of the 9th
Major Lynde evacuated Fort Fillmore with
all his command; previously destroying much
valuable property and munitions of war
The soldiers destroyed much of the company
property, muskets, clothing, blacksmith
shop, bakery, and one of quartermaster's
store-ro0ms had been completely burned
down. The majority of the buildings were
uninjured. and can be Immediately 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 of valuable
cOmmissary stores and other property was
unframed, to the amount of several thousand
dollars.
THE RETREAT.
The United States troops retreated in the
direction of Fort Staunton, and were seen by
our scouts Immediately after daylight, eight
or ten miles east of Los Cruces, in the noun
tains. The whole command of Confederate
troops was ordered in pursuit, and rushed on
in full chase after the fugitives. The road
lay over the table lands and mountains to a
pass in the Organos chain, by way of San
Augustine Springs, over route where there
was no water, and the day was excessively
warm.
ogsxz . |, - &
San Augustine Springs stragglers of the Uni
ted Statee IufduIry were oversaken, and the
way 10 the Springs had the appearance of a
complete rout. Guns and cartridge-boxes
| were strewn along the road. The six miles
| to the Springs was succession of charges
men were taken prisoners and disarmed in
squads the artillery was captured, and the
| greater portion of the infantry were taken
| before the main command was reached.
| THE SURRENDER
| Major Lynde was camped near the Sau
| Augustine Springs and had still some foul
| hundred men with him, who formed in battle
| array on the appearance of the Confederate
| troops. Advance was made to charge or
them by our troops. and they had reached
| within three hundred yards, with eager spir
| its for the fray, when a flag of truce was rails
| ed by the United States column, desiring te
Il
would receive a surrender. The reply was
| an unconditional surrender-the same terms
they had endeavored to dictate to the Con.
| federate forces. This was sought to be modi
| fed by the United States commander, which
| request was refused, further than they would
| be allowed two hours to remove their womer
and children to place of safety. The Uni
ted States commander finally agreed to al
unconditional surrender.
In brief, during this day eleven companie,
| of U. S. regular troops, mounted and foot
| mastering 700 effective men, surrendered Il
| $50 Confederates, 4 pieces of cannon, arms
| equipments, 200 cavalry horses, mules, ant
| wagons, and 270 head of beef cattle. TIL,
men and officers were disappointed in on,
thing alone-that the victory was so easily
| won.
All these important movements and th,
great success have been made and gained
without the loss of one drop of blood on tn,
| Confederate side.
| The following are the names of the Fedora
| officers captured:
/ Mounted Rifles, whole company captured
| newly armed with fine rifles also 27O bee
cattle in their charge. Capt. Alfred Gibbs
Lieuts McNally and Cressy. ,sssl -
| Seventh regiment u. S. Infantry. Major
Lynde, Capis. Potter and Stephenson, Lieuts
| Plummer. Hancock, Stivers, Brooks and
| Gritty, Assistant Surgeons U. S. Army, DR.
Mckee and DIR. Alden.
LAT E R!
Arrival of Gen. Johnston at Mesilla