New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-03-10
IMPORTANT FROM NEW.MEXIC0,
A DESPERATE BATTLE.
GREAT LOSS ON BOTH SIDES
BOTH SIDES CLAIM VICTORY
DENVER CT, March I. via JuIKsBrse,
MONDAY March 3. 1872. J

Monday March q, 1862.
The following news was received here to-day by
military express;
Desperate and terrible battle, lasting all day,
took place at Valverde, ten miles south Of Fort
Craig, on the 2lst Of February.
The fight was probably resumed again on the I'D.
The loss is great on both sides.
Both parties claim the victory.
A regiment of New-Mexieaus, commanded by
Colonel Panton ran away.
CAPTAIN McRae, who had charge Of our artillery,
and every one of his command were billed at their
post, and their cannon was taken by the Rebels.
Kit Carson was within fifteen uiles Of Fort Craig.
Firing was heard from his direction, but with what
result was not ascerained at the time the messenger
left.
WAsHrSeTos March 9 1862.
| Judge Watts. the delegate from NewMexico, has
adyces of an authentic character from Fort Craig 10
the l4th of February and from Santa Fe to O'Clock
evening of Sunday, Tie 10th. At that date the
advance quad Of the United States :orces 500 strong
under Capt. Wingate, were on the west side Of the
Rio Grande eight miles below Fort Craig Being
at Psra on the driving in Of our plckets Col Candy
marched in force to that point, and SITTER anxously
waiting until night without any appearance Of the
enemy, returned to Fort Craig, leaving Bis camp
fires burning. Col. Canby's Spy, Grayden had cap
tured the principal spy Of Gen. sbley and from him
Il was ascertsiued that the forces under sibley con
sisted of 800 troops at Amosa, ard l,5ol behind
under Sibley, with eight cannon and 800 beeyes and
tina, he expected achievements soon Of 100 lances.
Under these circumstances, Judge Watts - con-
fdent tina, no general engagement had taken place,
I 4. l. al. Cd. s.H I'd
which resulted in the falling back Of our troops on
Fort Craig, in order 10 prevent the Texan cavalry
from getting between forces in the advance ard
the Notifications at Fort Craig. The recently pub
lished dispatch from Denver 10 Jnesburg is not on
is face authentic aud must have been verbally COM
municated. through line Of express riders, over 4
distance of 100 miles and Judge Watts has other in
formation which satisfies him that The account, 10
say the least, is highly exaggerated and some parts
Of it untrue.
The Department Of New-Mexico with tie head
quarters at Santa Fe, was recently put under tho
command Of Col. +. II. 5. Candy, 18th u. S. lnian-
try. Col. Edward Richard Sprigg Candy was born
in the State of Kentucky, aud entered the Military
Academy in the year 1896. He is between 40 and
45 YEAR, of age. lie graduated on tho Goth day Of
u
find the names Of Gen. Ealleck, Gen. Stevens, Gen.
Paine, Gen. Ord, Capt. Ricketts,, and other noted
officers. lie was promoted on the let Of july ls'f',
10 the rank Of Second Lieutenant Of the I'd United
States Infantry and on the 18th of June, 1876, WAS
further promoted TO the Fret Lieu'enancy. During
that year he held the Regimental Adiutancy, and on
the 3D. of March, 1917, was appointed IN Assistant
Adutant. General, with the brevet rank of Captain
on the staff. lie was breveted Major in August,
1919 for gallant and neritorOus conduct IN the bat
ties Of ContTerss aud Cherubusco i'll Mexico, and
also distinguished in the butte Of Cerro Gordo
This brevet rank dated from Aug 70, 1917. In
March, 1851, he was further breve;ed Lieutenant
Colonel for gallant conduct at the Belengato-ihe
breyet dating from Sept. 49, 1917. lie held these
ranks while in the Adntant-Genera Department
In June, 1851 be was promoted 10 tie full rank OF
Captain of the "a United States Infantry, and ren
1nfshed he rank in the line. On the I'd of March be
was appointed Major Of the lO.h Infantry, which pC
elton be beld III the Army Register OF January.
1861. On the Nth Of May, 1861, he was further
promoted 10 the Coonelcy OF tue uewly formed i9ih
Regiment OF United Safes Infantry, and on the 9th
OF koven Der appointed 10 the charge OF the De-
partment Of Mexico
Cant. Alexander McRae was = comparatively
Young man, having but recently turned his 3Jth
wear. lie wac a native OF North Caro- ma, and Tn
tered the Military Academy az cadet. III the year
1917. On the let Of July, 1871, he graduated. and
was treyeted % Lieutenant Of the Mounted Riies.
q January 1857, he promoted to a lot iieuten-
ancy md on tire 10th of June, 1861, was further
promoted 10 captaincy IN the 81 United states Cav
tlry ranking seventh on the liat OF tL5 officers OF
the regiment and 18th in the lineal rank Of the cap
fains Of cavalry, according 10 the last published lst.
4 brilliant career had nc lived, would have been be
fore the brave aud ralloDt captain who has thus
Suddenly been snatched away from the service OF
bis country.