The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1862-03-15
A severe battle I'm New mexico:

severe battle In New mexlc0:
ST. LOUIS, March 13.-The Republican has
advices from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Feb.
20, which states that the Texans have made va
rious significant movements in the vicinity al
Fort Craig.
On the 18th they advanced column OF infan-
try, one thousand strong, in line of battle in
front of the Fort, and also moved a column Of
800 cavalry to the west of the other defences.
They advanced within mile and half of the
works, and halted, with the secession flag float.
ing in the breeze, and remained some time, and
then commenced a retrograde movement
During the time Of the advance. Col. Candy
prudently concentrated the greater part of bis
forces in the rear of the Fort. When the en-
envy commenced retreating, and the infantry
was separated from the cavalry, Col. Candy or
dered Major Duncan to charge the cavalry of
the enemy with a squadron of dragons and
mounted men, which they did in gallant style,
the enemy retreatng before them until they ar.
rived at q deep ravine. The Texan infantry in
the meantime advanced to the rear of the cav
airy, and skirmish took place at the ravine.-
The Texans continued their fall back.
It is reported that the Texans had pieces of
artillery placed in battery masked in ravine,
but short distance below where the skirmish
took place.
On the 10th and goth, the Texans crossed to
the east bank of the Rio Grande in order, it is
supposed, to take possession of the heights op.
posite Fort Craig. Colonel Candy crossed and
pursued them in force, when the Texans on the
heights fred some fifty cannon shots without
damage to our forces. Colonel Candy fred but
two shots, deeming it inexpedient to waste am
munition. On the morning of the 2lst, 200
Texan mules were captured, with their wagon
master. The Texans are on the heights and
destitute of water. Col Candy has the pass to
the water guarded by battery of 1000 men and
all other outlets guarded in force-the Texans
must either fight desperately for water or sur
render. When the Express closed on the morn.
ing of the 2lst, the firing of cannon was heard
in the direction of Valverde, announcing that
the battle had begun.
LArER.-The Military Express just arrived
from Fort Craig, with the news Of series of
conflicts between our forces. and the Texans,
which lasted from o'clock, A. NJ, of the 2lst,
until sunset, Of the same day. The fight com.
menced in the morning between a portion of our
troops, under Colonel Redborth, and the enemy
across the river, with varied success, until or
2 o'clock that day. Col. Candy then crossed the
river in force, with battery of six pieces, under
Captain McRea, of the Cavalry, but detailed to
command the battery, also a small battery Of
two howitzers. The enemy was supposed to have
or 8 pieces.
Ahc ou1IiS CohAucuCeu ny artillery huu SklTHl.
ishing aud soon became general. Toward even
ing most of the enemy's guns we're silenced,
they however, made a desperate charge on the
howitzer battery but were repulsed with great
loss. Capt McRae's battery was defended by
Capt. Plimpton's company of U. S. infantry and
portion of Col. Pinon's regiment of New Mex
lean volunteers The Texans charged desper-
ately and furiousy with picked men about 600
strong. They were armed with carbines, revol-
vers, and long seven pound bowie knives, after
dischargng their carbines at close distance, they
drew their Ievolvers and rushed on the battery
in storm of grape and canister. The Mexicans
of Pinon's regiment were panic stricken and in.
gloriously fled. Capt. Plimpton and his infan-
try stood their ground and fought nobly until
more than one half of them were numbered with
the dead-with his artillery men cut down, his
support killed, wounded or flying from the field,
Capt. McRae sat down calmly and quietly on
one of his guns and with a revolver in his hands
refusing to fly or leave his post, he fought to the
last and gloriously died the death Of hero, the
last man by his guns.
The Texans suffered terribly. In his COM
mand many officers distinguished themselves on
this day. Maj. johnson who was chief aid OF
Candy acted bravely and was conspicuous in
every part of the field. His horse was wound
ed in several places but he was not injured
Kit Carson in command of a regiment of vol.
unteers who were deployed as skirmisbers did
good service during the action and behaved we'll.
We have however to mourn the loss of Lieuts
McLearnand and McIntire, who like Capt
McRae, nobly and bravely manned the
howitzers in defense of our flag to the last and
gloriously diedthe death Of patriots; many Others
we're wounded. Our loss was about 200 killed
and wounded. That of the enemy is believed
to be much greater. The greatest confidence ii
reposed in Col Candy, and if volunteers will
do their duty the Texans will be ignomini
ously driven from the country.