The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1862-03-13

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allzatlon and excite mob spirit,
/ Bragg had come up from Pensacola with
! 10000 men, which were sent to reinforce New
Madrid and Island No. TO-
| Bragg and Beauregard were AT jackson,
Tenn, constructing Qualifications, All the
negroes in the country had been called to
work upon them.
Martial law was proclaimed in Memphis
last Monday for the purpose Of checking the
insurrection, and compelling citizens TO turn
out aud fight
No defensive preparations were being made
at Randolph, nor between there and New Or,
leans.
Fort Pillow is strong position, but les.
formidable than Columbus.
! The rebels confess that the reduction Of
that place will give Us all points on the Mis-
sissippi
Their gunboats are all at Island No. lO,and
carry riilcd - and "a Founders, The fleet is
under command OF liollns.
| a messenger from New Madrid reports all
quiet there this morning.
ST. LOUIS, March l3th.-The Rcpub'
/ llcan has adyiccs from Albuquerque, New
/ Mexico, dated Feb, 23rd, which states that
! the Texans have made various significant
movements in the vicinity Of Fort Craigs
On the 18th they advanced column Of in.
/ ianTy, 1000 strong, in line of battle III front
OF the fort and also moved u column Of 500
cavalry, to the west of the other dctences.
They advanced within a mile and halt Ut
the works, and halted with the secession flag
| flying in the breeze, and remained some time
and then commanded retr0gradc move
mcnt
During the time Of the advance, Col,
oncl Candy prudently concealed the great.
cr part OF his force in the rear Of the fort
When the enemy commenced retreatlng
and the infantry were separated from the
/ cavalry, Col Candy ordered Mai. Duncan 10
charge the cnemy's cavalry with a squadron
Of Dragons and mounted men, which he did
| in gallant style, the enemy retreating before
them until they arrived AZ deep rayinc.
The Texan infantry in the meantime adj
yanced to the relief Of the cavalry, and u
skIrmlsh took place nj the rayne.
Ma Duncan was recalled late IN the even.
! ing, and the enemy continued to fall back
II is reported that the enemy had 8 pieces
| placed in II masked battery in the ravine n
short distance from where the skirmishiUg
took place.
On the 10Th and Goth the enemy crossed to
the east bank of the Rio Grande, IN order 1t
is supposed to take possession Of the heights
opposite Fort Craig.
Col. Candy crossed and pursued them in
force The Texans on the heights fired some
80 cannon shots without damage to our forces.
Col. Candy fired but two shots, decming i,
prudent not to waste ammunition.
On the morning Of the DIST 200 Texan
mules were captured with their wagon mast
| crs.
The Texans are on the heights, and des,i
tutc of water Col Candy has the pass to
the water guarded by battery Of 200 men,
and all other outlets guarded in force The
Texans must either fight desperately for wa
ter or surrender.
When the express closed on the morning Of
the DIST, the booming of cannon was heard
in the direction of Nalverie, announcing that
the battle had begun.
The military express just arrived from Ft
Craig brings the news Of a series Of conflicts
/ between our forces and the Texans, which
lasted from . A. IN. Of the 2lst, till sunduwn
/ Of the same day.
The fight commenced in the morning be
tween portion Of our troops, under Col.
| Roberts, and the enemy across the Rio
Grand. They were very successful until one
or two o'clock that day. Col. Cauby then
crossed the river, in force, with battery of
three pieces, under Capt. McRea, of the
cavalry, but detailed in command of the bat
terry. Also a small battery of two liJwitz
ers.
The enemy was supposed to have or 8
I pieces The battle commenced by artillery
and diminishing, and soon became general
! Towards evening most os The enemy's guns
were silencel. They however made u des-
perate charge on the lIowtzer battery, but
were repuised with great loss.
Capt. McRea's battery was defended by
Capt. Piympton's company Of United States
infantry, and II portion Of Col. Plnos' req
ment of New Mexican volunteers.
The Texans charged desperately and fur
iously with picked mcn--about coo strong.
! They were armed with Carbincs rcyolvers
and long seven pound bowie knives.
After discharging their carbnes at close
distance, they drew their rcvolvers and rush
! ed on the battery III a storm OF grape and
canister
The Mexicans Of Pinos' regiment were
! panic stricken and ingorlou-ly fled. Capt
! Plimpton and infantry stood their ground
and fought nobly until more than one half Of
| his men were numbered with the dead, with
! his artillery cut down--hs support either
| killed or wounded or flying from the field
Capt. McRca sat down calmly and quietly
on one Of his guns, with a revolver in his
hand, refusing to fly or desert bis post he
fought to the last and gloriously died the
! death Of hero, the last man by his guns.
! The enemy suffered terribly in their
| charge.
| Many officers distinguished themselves on
his day. Maj, Donaldson, who was chief aid
of Col. Candy, acted bravely and was con-
| spcuous on every part of the field, His horse
was wounded several times, but not serious
! ly injured.
Kit Carton, who commanded regiment Of
volunteers dcployed as skirmishers, fought
bravely and well, doing good service We
have, however, to name the loss of Lieutcn
ants Nchler and Stone, who like Capt Nc
kea, 5rayely maintained the honor Of
our flag to the last, and gIoriously died the
death Of patriots.
Many others were wounded
Our loss was about 300 killed and wound.
ed That of the enemy is believed to be much
4 greater
The greatest confidence is reposel in Col
Candy, and if the volunteers will do their
duty the Texans will be ingloriously driven
from the country.