Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-04-03
THE RATTLE or vALvRRpE.

victory achieved by Gen Sbey's little army at
yalverde, New Mexico, February q. The main
facts of the previous reports are confirmed by
the Tines, and, indeed little that is new is added
The extra says:
The long expected engagement in New Nexi-
co came Off al ValTerde, on the east bank of the
Rio Grsnde. four miles above Fort Craig, on
February u. The battle commenced at 0 clock
in the morning, and lasted until sunset The
action was commenced by portion of Col Bay
lor's regiment, $50 strong, under command of
Major Pryor, who were ordered to flank the
enemy. Upon reaching the river valley, they
discovered the enemy on the left. Major Pry-
ou's command charged to good position, where
they were covered by timber and wide slough.
They held this position fornearly an hour, under
a heavy fire Of small arms, shell, grape and
round shot, before they were reinforced.
The whole Confederate command now arrived
in position, when a general engagement took
place all along the line. At first the enemy
attempted TO turn our left flank, when Major
Locluidge came to their assistance, and nobly
did he do it. Then they made another attempt
all along our lines, but without effect. Then
again they made a concentrated attack upon our
left, with such vigOr as to compel our forces to
fall back from their first position to another.
While in this position, and late in the evening,
the enemy crossed the river with their battery
which proved fatal to them. The Confederate
reserve (Col. Steel's cummand), some 450 men,
now joined in the action. A charge was made
at the battery of the enemy, and along their
whole line, and the battery was taken at the
point of revOlvers and shOtgUus, after des-
perate struggle, when the enemy fed with great
slaughter. The enemy suffered the most while
Tetreating across the river, when the slaughter
was truly terrible.
The battle was fercely contested, and un-
doubtedly the severest of the present waT-ss
desperate as any on record for the amount Of
men engaged. The roar of small arms of shell,
canister, grape and round shot, is described as
having been terrific; and Individual instances
of great bravery and gallantry were numberless,
while the whole army fought Ike veterans and
patriots. The victory, though achieved glO-
riously over double our numbers, was dearly
won. We have to mourn the loss of So heroes,
and have l06 wounded
Major Lockridge was killed in the charge when
the battery was taken. falling at the head of his
column, aud at the foot of gun but lived long
enough to see victory crown cur arms. In skill
and bravery be was surpassed by none. In his
death the COnfederacy has sustained heavy
loss, and his name will fill A bright page in our
country's history. Capt. Van Velt OF the ID
regiment, was also killed. He was a German,
an old soldier, and survivor Of many cam
pagns.
Capt. Lang, of the ID regiment, was seriously
wounded. His company of lancers were severely
cut up, and il is reported that they had eight
killed and fifteen wounded. Capt. TeePs com
pany Of artillery covered themselves with glory,
and did most effectual service. They had eight
killed and wounded, and several horses killed.
1t is reported that Capt. TeeI has been promoted
major, for meTitorious conduct. Major Pyron
and command istinguished themselves through
out this severely contested action But the same
bravery pertained to the whole army. The ID
regiment (Col Green's) sustained the heaviest
loss, there being some twenty killed. In Capt.
Walkers company, Col. Bsylor's regiment, one
killed, ed. CamPion,) John Cieghon badly
wounded, and two others slightly. In Captain
COOpwood's spy company there were two killed.
The night after the fight the Federsls, under
a flag OF truce, requested permission to bury
their dead and collect their wounded At the
time our informant left the number Of killed and
wounded was not accurately known, but was
supposed to be over FIVE hundred. 1t was not
known how many OF the FedeTals persisted in
the river. Capt McRea, of the regular army,
and Capt. Hubbell, of the New Mexico volun-
teers, were killed. Capt Lasalle, Of the regular
army, and Capt BarTientOs, Of the volunteers,
were taken prisoners.
A company of Pixies Peak volunteers was
literally cut to pieces.
OF the Federal army of over 5000 men sta
TONED at Fort Craig, on the night after the bat
tie, only 5000 could be mustered; more than half
being killed, wounded, taken prisoners, or hav-
ing deserted. Of the 1000 Americans of the reg
ular army 700 were fit for duty captain Of
the regulars reported, with tears in his eyes that
be had only six men left fit for duty in his com
pany. The regulars fought with great bravery
and before the action both officers and men were
ssnguine Of success.
The Federals at one time supposed they were
victorious, and ceased firing for more than an
/ hour. Of the seven pieces of artillery taken,
/ there are three six-pOUnders, two twelve pound
I ers, one twenty-fOur FOUNDER, and a howitzer-
/ all unspiked aud in good order. In the com
! meucement Of the action a shell was thrown into
/ Kit Carson's regiment Of volunteers, killing and
woUnding some twenty, when they became panic
stricken and fed TO the mountains. The FEEDER
/ al force engaged was 5000 men, 1000 of whom
! were regulars, 100 Pixies Peak volunteers, and
] the remainder New Mexican volunteers and
militia, under command of Brig. Gen. Candy
/ A reserve was left in Fort Craig of some 1906
1 or 1900 men, under command Of Brig. Gen
Hovey The Confederate force engaged, in
cluding reserves and details, was not quite 2S0t
men. Col. Green was in immediate command
Of our forces, but Gen Sibley, though suffering
rom illness, was on the field the whole day.
It is reported that the Federal general, Can
by, was the last to leave the twenty-fOuT pound
gun when taken The Federals did not retreat
in order, but exhibited perfect Manassas rout
Two hundred and fifty stand Of small arms
were taken. Numbers of the New Mexican
volunteers were coming into camp and giving
/ I'D their arms Courtesies were exchanged be
tween the lines under flags of truce.
1t is reported that propositions of surrender
have been made; the FederalS proposing to sur
render the fort the officers to be paToled for th'
war, to retain their private property, and to b,
furnished with sufficient transportation to carry
them to the States. This was refused and it j,
thought the Federals will come to our terms-aI
unconditional surrender.
CgLet the citizens Of the Confederacy cult
vate courageous and cheerful spirit. Our re
verses, when summed up, do not amount II
much The enemy has not dared to attack IA
on equal terms-snd we have punished him very
severely notwithstanding. Donelson, and R0
anoke, and Sugar Creek, and Newbern, anC
Newport News, have retired probably more thai
ten thousand men for him. We are decimatiu,
his armies at a rate that will make his recruit
shrink rom a trip South as trip into the jaw
Of death. And we have better times ahead. Th,
spirit Of our armies is excellent. The faction
lists have grieved and saddened some Of the sol
diers, but their patriotism IS bomb proof an,
their resolution mistaken The spirit Of th'
people too is admirable. The energy Of our gov
, eminent is worthy of all praise and confidence
In short the skies clearer and the prospect
} hopeful and cheering. We shall ehastise tn
3 enemy If he gives US a chance; we shall at al
ar1fa aysrfv, ,oa