Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-03-14
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Sf. LOUIS March Ia
The Republican has sdVioes from AM.
querque, New Mexico, Feb. 38d, which
states that the Texans have mads Vafiou1
signiheant movements in the vicinity Of
Fort Craig on the 18th ult. They advanced
3 column Of infantry, 1000 strong, IN Hns
Of battle, in front Of the Fort. and sIso
moved column Of 800 cavalry to the vest
Of the other defsnees.
They advanced within a mile ard a hslf
Of the works, and halted, With the ssoessio1
Tag floating in the breeze, and rsmaipei
5oms time, and then commenced 4 rsiro.
grade moVemsnt.
During the time Of the sdEsncs ca.
Candy PFudently concealed the greater parf
Of his forces in the rear Of the 1oFt. WhaR
the en- my commenced r9treating and tks
infsntry was separsted from the caEalrT,
Col Candy ordered Maj Dunosn to ehsrSs
the cavalry Of the enemy With s squad a
dragons and mounted men, Whish thsF
did in gallant style, the enemy retreatilg
until they arrived 81 deep raVins. Il
The Texan infantry in the mesntime A.
Vanced TO the relief Of the cavalry. and 4
Bkirmish took plaes 81 the FaTine. MsioF
Duncan late in the evening vas reoslied
and the Texans continued 70 fall back. -
It Is reported that tbs Texans had sioht
pieces Of artillery placed in a battery nasksd
in . rsvine but q sh' IT distance below Whers
the skTmish took place.
On the 18th and 2OEh the Texans crossed
to the east bank Of the Bio Orande in order,
il Is supposed, to take possession Of tie
heights opposite Port Craig.
Col. Candy crossed and pursred them II
force, when the Texans on the heights frsd
some so cannon shots without damage to our
forces.
Col. Candy fred but two shot, desmia9
It imprudent 70 waste ammunition. Or the
morning Of the 2lst 200 Texan mules we're
captured with their wagon masters. Tss
Texans are on the highlands destitute Of
water. Col. Osnby has the pass to the Va
ter guarded By 8 battfry Of 1000 men aud
all other outlets guarded IN fofce. The Fex-
ans must either fight desperately for water
or surrender.
When the Express closed on the morning
of the z1st, the booming OF cannon wss
heard in the garrison Of Vslvsrds announc.
ing that the battle had begun.
The military Express Just arrived frsm
Fort Craig with news Of 8 series Of conflicts
between our forces AMI the Texans, which
lasted from 9 A. H. Of the 2Ist until
sundown Of the same day. The fight con-
menced in the morning between & Dortio1
Of our troops under Col. Roberto and them
emy across the Rio Grande with Tarisd sdesi
cess until one or two O'Clock that day. Col.
Candy then crossed the river in force with
battery Of pieces under Capt. McCray, 81
the cavalry, bat detailed in commaad Of ths
battery, also small battery of tive hoRit-
gers. The enemy was supposed to haysT.
OF 9 pieces. ot - 7ts g
The battle vas commenced By the artills-
y and skirmishers, and soon became gene
raj. Towards evening most Of she enemys
guns we're sileneed. They however NADIA
Desperate charge on the hoWilzsr batisry,
but were repulsed with great 1osS. Capt.
deOary battery was defended by Captain
Plimpton's Co, o. S. Infantry, and 8 Dor.
ton Of CoL Pinos' regiment Of New Mexican
volunteers.
The Texans charged despeEatsly and fd-
riously with picked men, about 600 strong.
They were armed viii earbines, fsYol7ers,
and long seven pound bowie knives. Alter
diseharging their earhines st close distance.
hey drew their revolvers and rushed on the
battery 10 a storm Of graPs aad canister
The Aexicans Of Pinos' regiment were
lanio stricken, and ingl0Ei0asly asd.-l
Capt Plmpton. and infsnfIy at0od tksir
yround and fought n0bly tn more thaa
'ns half their number were dead With
lig artiheTyme1 shutdown, his support either
Killed, wounded or flying from the fslt
Japt AeRae sat down calmly on Onsgfhsf
suns, and with 3 revolver in his hand. re-
used 70 fly or desert his post, be foughs %
he last, and gloriOuslY died the death ofa
leEO--the last man By his guns. TTTF
The Texans suffered terribly in this ehaFVas
dany officers distinguished themselves On
his day. Major DOnaldson, who was chief
id of Col Candy, acted brsvely, and was
Onspicuous Oneyery part Of the iald. His8
orse was wounded in several places but he
7as not injured.
Kit Carson, in command Of Regiment afr
olun:eers who were deployed as skirmish-.,
rs, did good service during the action and
ehaVed we'll We have, however, to name
le loss OF Lieuts. Mickeler and Stone Who,A
ke Capt MeRae nobly and bravely main
lined the honor of our flag to the last and
died the death Of patriots. haA
Many other officers were wounded. OuE
rs was about 200 killed and wounded that
the enemy is believed to be much gFestar.
The greatest condolences is reposed in Col.
andy, and if the volunteers will do thsiPa
lty the Texans viii be driven ingl0fi0aslyr
ON the country. ze srs -