New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-02-18
IMPORTANT FROM NEw-MExICo.

F,om The LsarenrorA Coawuai,es, Feb. II.
BY the arrival IN our city last night Of the Hon.
james H. Holmes, Secretary OF the Territory, direct
from Santa F6, New.Mexico, we have important
dispatches to the war Office. He also brought dis
patches to Gen. Hunter from Col. Candy. BY a
concurrent resolution Of the Legislature, Mr.. Holmes
will be the authorized agent with the Department
for the Territory during his stay in Washington.
Col. Candy was at Fort Craig, on the Rio Grande,
200 miles south of Santa Fe, 10 which point all OF
the available Union forces were gathering In order
10 resist the advance Of tho Confederate troops under
Brig. -Gen. II. III. Sibley, who was within thirty
miles when the Secretary left on the 18th ult. Tbs
Rebel army consisted Of three Texan regiments,
with two % pound guns. Sibley issued proe!ama-
ton which can be found in another column.
Col Candy had concentrating mt this post, 800
regulars with six M-pounder, two companies OF the
Colorado Let, and Mexican volunteers sufficient to
swell the aggregate TO ,0O0 This force would all
be in position before the Texans reached the post,
and the Colonel commanding was confident Of his
ability 10 defeat them. The regulars and Colorado
volunteers were in reality the only troops he could
depend upon In the open field, as the Mexicans ARE
good for nothing except in the chapparal and behind
adobe walls. Portions Of two companies had mutt
MED partly on account Of not receiving their pay
and partly because they had to work on the intrench
menfs. They were surrounded by the regulars, and
by force compelled to lay down their arms. Ouc
company was disbsnded, and the men distributed
among the regulars.
At Fort Union, on the Rio Pecos, hundred miles
north Of Santa Fe, the Union force consisted Of
between two and three hundred regulars and several
hundred volunteers. Some apprehensions were en-
tertaned of Oh attack at this point. The Texans
arc reported as having erected works on the Rio
Colorado Col. Paul is In command at this post IL
has been strengthened considerably.
Every able-boded man, irrespective OF profession
lie being drafted in tho militia. All powder, lead,
sltpeter, and other munitions Of war in tho hands
OF merchants, has been taken possession Of Martial
law prevails. There is no doubt enterts ined of "A
successful! resistance 10 the present Confederate
force, though large re-eniorcemens are reported on
their way 10 Sibleys assistance.
An express has been sent 10 Denver for re-enforcc
mens, and Col Candy asks Gen. Hunter to send sur
ticient force 10 maintain uninterrupted his communi-
cations aud TO re-cnforce him If necessary. Four
companies Of the Colorado Ia, are ut Fort Wise I'M
der l.ieut.-Col. s. y. 1appsn. The "boys" are OF
course tired OF garrison duty and anxious to hght ,he
Texans. We learn by telegraph from Denver That
orders have been sent there 20 move TO the assistance
Of Col. Candy. Orders were sent yesterday from
Gen. Hunter Headquarters TO the authorities al
Denver, directing the marching OF tho balance Of the
First Cavalry, under Col. Slough, to- Ncw-Mexico,
and the marching Of all available force to the south
crn border of Colorado with view TO keep open the
mail route and assist Col. Candy This will obviate
the necessity OF warding troops from this section
The Legislature passed joint resolutions to ad-