New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-03-14
Terrible Fighting on Both SIDES
PANIC OP THE NEW.MEIICAN VOLUNTEERS
Bravery Of a Company Of Regulars
r.rzr:ors1 OF CAPT. McRAE.
Our Loss 200 Killed and Wounded
LOSS OF TEE TEXANS MUCH LARGER
ST. LOUIS, Wednesday, MsIch ", ls6,

ST. LOUIS, Wednesday, March u, 1863
The 81 Louis Re1wGicaa has advices from Albu'
oneroue. New.Mexico, of Feb. %, which state that
the Texans have made various significant movements
in the vicinity of Fort Craig Ga the 18th they adj
vsnced column Of infantry, 900 strong IN line OF
battle, in front of the fort and also moved column
Of 500 cavalry, 10 the west of our defenses. They
advanced TO within mile and a half of the works,
with the Rebel flag floating in the breeze. They
remained in this portion some time, and then CON-
menced retrograde movement.
During the time Of tlieir advance, Col Candy pru-
IDENTIFY concealed the greater part of his forces III the
rear Of the fort. When the enemy commenced re-
treating. and tie infantry was separated from the
cavalry Col Candy ordered Major Duncan to charge
the cavalry Of the enemy with squadron OF drag
oons and mounted men, which they did III gallant
t4yle the enemy retreating before them until they
arrived a, a deep ravine The Texan infantry in the
mean zine advanced to the relief of the cavalry, aud
skirlnish took place st the ravne. Major Duncan,
late in tie evening, was recalled.
Tie Texans continued to fall back.
II was reported that the Texans had eight pieces
of artillery placed in battery, masked in the ravine
but short distance from where the skirlnish took
place.
On The 70 h and Goth the Texans crossed 10 TIE
esst bank OF the Rio Graude del Noe IN order 1t If
supposed. 10 take possession Of the nights opposite
Fort Craig Col. Candy crossed and pursued them
in force. when The Texans on the nights fred some
fftg cannon shots, without damage to Our forces
Col. Candy fred but two shots, de ming II impfu'
dent 10 waste his ammunition.
On lie morning of the 2lst, 200 Texan mules were
captured with their wagon-masteT.
/ Tie Texans on the hi hlands ore destitute OF
water Col. Cauhy has the pa.s 20 the water guard
ed by battery and 1000 men, and al tho other out
lets are also guarded i'll force.
The Texans must either 6ght desperately for
water or surrender.
Later.-When tue express closed or the morning
Of the 2lst, the booming Of cannon was heard at VAL
verde announcing that the battle bad begun.
Laiea.--A military express has jus; arrived from
Fort Craig with the news Of selious conflicts be-
tween our orces aud the Texans, which lasted from
. o'clock in tie morning gf the 2ls until shutdown Of
the same day.
The fight commenced in the morning between &
J ortion of our troops under Col. Roberts and tho
enemy across tie Rio Grandc with varied success
until about OF > O'Clock Of tina, day Che Dist
Col. Candy tAcn crossed the liver in force with
battery Of six pieces under Captain AcRae Of tie
cavalry. hui detailed 10 tire command OF the battery.
Col. Candy also took will him a small battery Of
two how tiers.
/ The enemy were supposed to have had eight field
pieces.
The battle was commenced by orr artillery and
slirnishere, and soon ii became general.
Toward evening the game OF the enemy were NJ
fenced. They, however made a desperate charge
on our howiizer battery, but were fepulsed with
great loss.
Capt. MeRaes battery was defended by Capt.
Plimpton's COMPANY Of United States infantry, and a
: portion OF Col. Pinoe's regiment Of New-Mexican
volunteers.
The Texans row charged desperately and iuIiously
with picked men, about 600 strong, on McRee 6
battery. They were armed with carbines reviewers,
and long seyen-pound bowie-kniyes. After dscharg.
lug their carLnes at coss quarters, they drew their
reyolyers and reached The battery amid storm Of
grape and canister Tie New-Me&icans OF Col.
Pinos's regiment became parc-stricken, and in
gioriousy fed. Capt Plimpton. and the United
States infantry stood their g,ound and fought noty,
until more thsu 0ne-hxlf were numbered with the
dead
With his aTtillerymen cut down, and with biz sup
port reported killed, wounded, or lying lom the
field, Capt. McRae SIT down calmly and quietly On
one OF his guns, and with revolver III hand refusing
10 iy desert his post, la fought to the last, and
goriousiy died Ike hero, the last at his guns
The Texans suffered terribly IN this desperate
charge
Many of our officers greatly distinguished them
selves ths day.
Major Donaldson, who was cIief Aid-de-Camp 10
Col. Candy, acted bravely, and WAS conspicuous in
every part of the field. Ills horse was wounded in
several places, but the Major wa not injured.
Kit Carson was in command Of regiment Of VOL
uDteers, VINO were deployed ns skirnisheis. Hie
command did good service during he action and be-
haved well.
We have 10 lament the loss Of Lieuts. Iiohleg aud
Stone, who, like Capt. McRae, nobly ana br.Noly
maintained the honor OF our isg to the last and died
the death Of patriots.
Many othe. OF our officers are wounded.
Oar loss ID about 200 killed and wounded. The
Toss of,he enemy is believed to be much greater.
The greatest confidence is reposed in Col. Candy,
aud II the volunteers viii DO their du,y tie Texans
viii be ignominiOusy driven from the country.
FROM PORT ROYAL.
The SCHOONER Il. II. Manchester, Capt. NickenOn,
arrived al this port Last evening from Pope Creek ).