Arkansas true Democrat., 1862-01-16
From the Mesilla Times, Dec. 1 New Mexican News.

t Ort (f fatg IS nOftOW square, Uulil O aiobes, situated ona high bluff overlooking the Rio C.ranle, and in a strong, natural position, commanding both the valley aud the table lanl The outer is dead wall, which has been loop hooled and batteries erected for cannon. Five sand bag batter ies have been built on five points of the Lluf, anl rifle pits dug. \ road has been cat to water, in the bluf, directly below the fort. In and about Fort Craig there are reported to bel 800 men -> 0O regulars all of whom are mounted 1000 volunteers, four companies of whom are mounted Besides these, there are reported to be 6O0 men at Old Mission Abu, one company at Sabinal, three companies at Albuquerque. There are nine pieces of artillery at Fort Craig, several of which are l2-pounders; and two more batteries were expected, one of light and one of heavy guns.
 The federal advance is at Alamosa, 8 miles from Craig, 79 from Mesilla, and con- sists of two companies, one of regulars and one of volunteers. They have thrown up two batteries. Lieut.. Jett, of Capt. Puy ren's company, on late scout with 20 II, cavalry into that place.
 New Fort Union, situated one mile due east of the old fort, is, considering its po- sition and the material at hand, one of the best pieces of engineering ever done in America 1t Is an octagon, situated on an open ridge, two miles on each slope, to the valley. I'he walls are double rows of pine logs on palisade, 12 feet between the rows, and filed with sod. The ditch is 20 feet wide at the top, l6 feet at the bottom, and F feet deep.
 The sbattis is firmly studded with dwarf cedar trees, the branches trimmed short, case hardened with fire and sharpened to a point These are firmly driven in, and present bristlng array upon which it would be impossible to force cavalry. The cannon enilade the ditch at all points; and there is no cover for the approach of an attacking party within cannon shot. The magazine quarters and ali the garrison buildings are half basement, bomb-proof buildings. Some of them are entirely un- der ground. Four large bomb proof ware houses have been built, fronting the salient angle of the fort, and in the shape of a wedge. There are in this post two years supplies of all kinds for two regiments.- Ten 12 pounders are mounted, and several guns of larger calibre were being mounted. Kit Carson volunteer regiment, and about a regiment of regulars are stationed at that point.
 Four regiments of New Mexican volun- ,,,+ f bo Hall nF iofo H two mounted. An endeayor has been made to raise two regiments of militia for home defense, and the officers are commis stoned therefor. The regular force consists of p companies of different corps, avera- ging about 50 men to the company. It was reported at Fort Craig that the regular force lately stationed in Utah (6O0 men had arrived at Fort Union, and also & reg iment of Kansas artillery, escorting train of supplies.
 Col. Canby, of the regular army, and Capt Hatch. of the N. NJ. volunteers, have been made Brigadier Generals. Hon. II. M. Otcro was tendered Colonelcy, but replied that there was no office in the gift of the administration which lie would ac cept Lieut.. Lane, of the rifles, and Lieuts. Hummer and Ryan of the Ith infantry, have heen dropped from the army list Desertions are occurring among the volun- tceis daily in spite of the most rigid meas ures to prevent, such as shaving heads and whipping. There is maniiestly much dis content among all ranks. The soldiers had not been paid; no money in circulation, and freedom of speech virtually suspended.- Southern men are treated with the utmost aigor, and arrests are made almost daily.
 FLUNKYIsM REBUKED.-The attention of a British ioumal-Reynold's London News paper-having been attracted by the boast ing of the Yankee press over the accession of a few sprigs of European nobility to their service, and by the hunkey reception given them by Lincoln and his understrap- pers, it rebukes the Presidential snob in the following caustic style:
 The appointment to high and responsible command of inexperienced and incapable aristocrats was the bane, and nearly blast ed the fame of the British army. IfPresi- dent Lincoln was man of spirit and ot prudence, he would avoi1 stumbling into a similar pitfall. But nature seems to have intended him for court lackey rather than for the President of g republic. At least we arrive at this conclusion after reading the names of certain foreign officers to whom he has granted commissions and commands. The nomination of the Orleans princes mere schoolboys-to the staff of Gen. Me- Clellan is one of those fragrant absurdities attached to "the sweet uses of royalty" which we should have imagined republi cans would repudiate Then, again, an un- known Prince belonging to some obscure German principality, applied for and ob- tained the command of cavalry corps.
 It being subsequently, discovered that his -highness could not speak one word of Eng fish, few triAing difficulties have yet to be overcome before he assumes the command of the regiment honored by having such a distinguished warrior as its Colonel. But the appointment of our old friend, the drunk en and idotc member from North Durham Lord Adolphus Tempest, to command in the American army, is certainly the csleerest act of folly and stupidity yet per petrated by the Lincoln cabinet. Is 1t be- cause he happens to be lord that Master Tempest has found favor in the eyes of ! |