Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-03-14
LATEST NEWS.
BY TELEGRAPH
70 THE WORCESTER DAILY SPY
INTERESTING FROM new MEXICO.
FIGHTS WITTY THE REBELS.
b ATTLE OF VALvERDE

BATTLE OF vALvERDE.
ST. LOUIS, March ID The Republican has
advices from Albuquerque, New Mexico TO
Feb. 23d, which state that the Texans made
various significant movements in the vicinity
of fort Craig on the 18TH They advanced a
column OF infantry one thousand strong in
line OF battle in front OF the fort, and also
moved column of eight hundred cavalry
west OF our detences. They advanced to with
in mile and halt of the works and halted
with the rebel flag floating in the breeze. They
remained some time, and then commenced a
rettogade movement. During the time of the
advance, Col. Candy prudently concealed the
greater part OF his forces in the rear of the
tort when the enemy commenced retreating
ana the Infantry was separated from the cav
airy, Col Candy ordered Major Duncan to
charge the enemy's cavalry with squadron
OF Dragons and mounted men, which they did
In gallant style, the enemy reueatng before
them until they arrived at a deep ravine. The
IeXdn infantry in the meantime advanced to
the relief of the cavalry, and skirnsh took
place at the ravine. Major Duncan late in
the evening was recalled and the Texans
continued to tall back. 1t was reported that
the Texans had eight pieces OF artillery placed
In battery masked in the ravine but a short
distance from where the skirmsh took place.
On the 18th and 10Th the Texans crossed to
the east bank of the Rio Grande, in order, it
is supposed, to take possession OF the heights
opposite fort CIag. Col. Candy crossed and
pursued them in force, when the Texans on
the heights fired some fifty cannon shots
without damage to our forces. Col. Candy
nred but two shots, deeming it imprudent to
waste his ammunition. On the morning of
the 2lst two hundred Texan mules were cap
tured with their wagon masters. The Texans
are on the high lands, and are destitute of wa
ter. Col. Candy has the pass to the water
guarded by battery and two thousand men,
and all the other outlets are also guarded in
force. The Texans must either fight desper.
ately tor water or surrender.
LArER.-When the express closed, on the
morning of the 21st the booming of cannon
was heard at Valverde, announcing that the
battle had been fought.
LATEsT.-A military express has just ar.
rived from Fort Craig with the news of a
serious conflict between our forces and the
Texans, which lasted from 9 o'clock in the
morning OF the 2lst until shutdown OF the same
day. The fight commenced in tie morning
between portion of our troops, under Col
Roberts, and the enemy, across the Rio
Gfande, until about l or 2 o'clock on that
day 1.-THE 2lst). Col. Candy then crossed the
river in force, with Il battery of six pieces
under Capt. McCray of the cavalry, but. de.
tailed to the command OF the battery. Col
Candy also took with him small battery of
two howitzers The enemy were supposed to
have had eight field pieces.
The battle was commenced by oar artillery
and skirmshers, and soon it became general.
Towards evening their guns were sienced.
They however made Il desperate charge on
our howtzer battery, but were repulsed with
great loss Capt. McCray's battery was de-
tended by Capt. Piympon's company OF U.
D. Infantry, and a portion of Col Pnu'S reg.
ment of New Mexicans. The Texans now
charged desperately and furiously with picked
men, about 600 strong, on McCray's battery.
They were armed with carbines, revolvers,
and long seven pound bowie knives. After
dlschargIng their carbines at close quarters,
they drew their revolvers and reached the bat
terry, amid storm of grape and canister. The
New MeXicanS of Col Pino's regiment be-
came panic stricken, and ingloriously fled.
Capt. Plympton, with the U. S. infantry, stood
their ground and fought nobly until more than
one half were numbered with the dead. With
his artillery cut down, and with his support
reported killed, wounded, or flying from the
field, Capt McCray sat down calmly and qui
city on one OF his guns, ami with revolver i'll
hand, refusing to desert his post lie fought
to the last, and glorlouSly died like hero, the
last man at his guns.
The Texans suffered terribly in this desper
ate charge. Many OF our officers greatly dis
tinguiShed themselves on this day. Major
Donelson, who was chief aide-de camp to Col.
Candy, acted bravely, anu was conspicuous in
every part of the field His horse was
wounded in several places, but the mayor was
not injured Kit Carson was in command of
a regiment of volunteers who were deployed
as skirmishers. His command did good SER
vice during the action, and behaved well. We
have to lament tue loss OF Lieus. Michler and
Stone, who, like Capt McCray, nobly and
bravely maintained the honor OF our flag to
the last, and died the death of patriots. Many
others OF our officers are wounded. Our loss
is about two hundred killed and wounded.
This loss OF the enemy is believed to be much
greater. The greatest confidence is reposed
in Col. Candy, and if the volunteers will do
their duty, the Texans will be ignominiously
driven from the country.