, 1861-09-19

The San Francisco Bulletin of the Cd instant
published the following dispatch from Los An
geles, announcing the defeat and capture of 400
Federal troops under Maj Lynde, by the Con-
federate forces, under command Of Lieut.. Col.
Baylor, of Texas The account is from rebel
source -
Los ANGELES, Sept. 2, 1861.
The San Diego and San Antonio mails arrived
here on Saturday evening, with dates from Me-
silla (Arizona) to Aug 18th.
The Mesilla Times Of July 9th contains the
following: Lieut.. Col. Baylor, commanding the
Confederate forces at Fort Bliss, Texas left there
on the 24th inst, with tile forces under his COM
mand, for the Mesilla valley. The force under
his command was some 800 men. On the night
Of the 24th q position had been taken by the
Confederate troops within 800 yards Of Fort Fill
more pickets were placed out, and every pre-
caution taken to storm the fort by surprise the
next morning
The plan would have been a success but for
the desertion Of picket, who went into the fort
and gave the alarm. The Confederate force then
moved across the river, and at daylight took the
town Of Santa Tomas Two companies Of Unitel
States troops had been stationed there, but had
retreated. Z ght prisoners were taken, and dis
missed after being sworn not to fight against the
Contederacy. About 10 o'clock the Confederate
forces entered Mesia and were received with
manifestations Of joy by the citizens. Prepara-
tons were Immediately made to receive an attack
from the United States troops. They were re-
ported crossing the river about noon OF the 2oth.
The Fedcrals advanced to within 900 yards Of
our position, and halted and formed in line Of
battle, with two howitzers in the centre Of the
infantry, and the wings Of cavalry, the whole
force appearing to be alb ut 500 men.
A flag Of truce was then sent to our position
with the molest dcmand 10 surrender the
to~n, uncond tionally. This was refused They
then unmasked their guns and tired shells and
grape into the town. Several shells were thrown
in different parts of the town, without doing any
injury. After firing couple Of rounds Of grape
at the more advanced position Of our force, the
cavalry Of the enemy made charge, and had
advanced to within 300 yards Of corral, behind
which Capt Hardemans company Of mOnnted
ri6emrn were stationed. From 40 to 60 shots
were fired by this company, killing four and
wOunding four Of the enemy, throwing theIninto
confusion aud finally to retreat, their officers
vainly trying to rally them. The order was
given to charge four times, 10 no purpose, and
they retired, carrying with them the dead aud
wounded. They were dsheartened by their III
success in the charge, and as night was falling
they drew of their whole forcs 10 good order
in the direction Of Fort Fillmore.
Lieut.. McNally, Of the U. s. Mounted Rifles,
was wounded in the shoulder. Lieut.. Brooks,
Of the Tth Infantry, was wounded in the arm
and had his sword shattered. A sergeant and
gunner were among the killed.
Capt Geo. Frazier arrived on the night Of the
25th from III PasO, with company Of Arizona
Rangers
Al o'clock on the morning Of the 9th, Maj.
Lynde evacuated Fort Fillmore with his CONF
pcrty and munitions Of war. The United States
troops rctreated in the direction Of Fort Stanton.
The road lay over the table lands and mountains
to pass in the Organos chain, By way Of San
Augustine Springs over . route where there
was no water, and the day was excessively
warm.
Some six or seven miles on this side Of the
San Augustine Springs stragglers Of the U. S.
Infantry were ovei taken. Both friend and foe
suffered intensely from thirst 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.
Maj. Lynde was encamped near San Angus
tine Springs and had still some 400 men with bin,
who formed ia battle array on the appearance o.
the Confederate troops. Advance was made TO
charge them by our troops, and they had reaced
within 800 yards when flag Of truce was raised
by the u 8. column, desiring to know on what
conditions our commander would receive q sur
render.
The reply was an unconditional surrender
and this was sought to be modified by the U. s
commander, which request was refused, further
than that they would be allowed two hours tc
remove their woren and children to q place o
safety. I..
| 'T1sa Tfn;tad C..toa m.niae anoiIr a0raad
to an unconditional surrender. OF the seven
companies which surrendered, three were Of the
regiment Of Mounted Rifelnen, eight companies
Of inia try, one or two companies Of the 9th, and
the remainder Of the 9Th Regiment
All these important movements and the sue
cess have been made and gained without the loss
| Of one drop Of blood on the Confederate side.