, 1862-03-14
THE GREAT BATTLE NEAR FIT.
CRAIG.
Desperate FfghtIog and E5eavy Loss
on Both Sides,

ST. LOUIS, March 13.-Thc 72epuj7iean has
aayiccs from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Feb.
I'D, which state that the Texans have made
various significant movements in the vicinity
oft. Craig. On the 8th they advanced 4 col
un,n Of infantry LOCO strong in line OF battle
il front Of the Fort, und also moved u column
CISCO ctyalry to the west OF the other delenses.
They advanced " i1h;n mile and 4 half Of the
ing in the breeze. They remained some time
and then commenced Il retroSrade movement
During the time Of the advance Colonel
Ca1thy prudently concealed the greater part of
his forces III the rear Of the fort. When
1he enem5 commenced retreatins, and the
~, Colonel Candy ordered Major Duncan
to charge the cavalry Of the enemy with
squadron Of dragons and mounted
men, which they did i'll gallant sty1e-tle enc
NY retrtating before them until they arrived
at j deep r:lyine. The Texan infantry, in the
meantime, advanced to tic relief Of tic cay
airy, and q skir1nish took place at tue rayinc.
Major Duncan, late III the evening, WAS re-
called, and the Texans continued TO fall back
It is reported that the Texans lad eight pieces
Of artillery placed in a battery, masked, in a
rlyinc but short distance below where the
On the 10Th and 20ih the Texans crossed to
the east bank Of the Rio Grande, in order, il is
supposed, 10 lake possession Of the heights
opposite Fort Crazy. Col. Canby crossed and
pursued them in force, when the Texans on
the heights fired some fifty cannon shots, with
out damage to our force Col. Candy fired but
two shots, dceming it imprudent to waste AM
munitl0n.
On the morning Of the a1st, 200 Texans
mules were captured with their wagon master.
Tic Texans are oil the height, and destitute ol
water. Col Candy has the pass to the water
guarded bya 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 morning oi
the 21st, the booming Of cannon was heard in
the direction Of Valycrde, announcing that tue
battle had begun.
The military express has Just arrived from
Fort CTaig with the ncws Of a series Of coz.
tlicts between our forces and the Texans, which
lasted from 9 o'clock Il. NJ. OF tue 2lst until
sundown Of the same day. The fight com,
menced in the morning between a portion OF
our troops under Col. Roberts, aud the enemy
across the Rio Grande with varied success, un-
Ill OF 2 o'clock that day. Col Candy then
crossed the river in force. with battery of
pieces, under Capt. MeRae Of the cavalry, but
small pattcry Of two howitzers. The enemy
was supposed to have seven OF eight pieces.
The battle commenced by artillery and skir-
mislling, and soon BECAME general Towards
| evening most Of tie encny's guns were 81.
| lenced They, however, mada desperate
t pulsed with great loss. Capt. McRae's bat.
| terry was defended by Capt. Pllmpton's com
| pany Of q. 8. Infantry and 4 portion Of Col
| Pino's regiment Of Mexican volunteers.
| The Texans charged desperately and furi
ously with picked men about 60 strong
| They were armed with carbincs, revolver:
and long seyen-po1nd Bowie knives After
dlscharging their caroiurs at close distance
| they drew their reviewers and rushed On TIT
battery, in storm Of grape and canister
! The MeSicans Of Colonel Pino's regiment
| were panic stricken and inglorioasly fed
Captain Plimpton and infantry stood thei
ground, and fought nobly till more than one
half were numbered with the dead, with hi
artillcrymcn cut down, his support eithe
killed, wounded or flying from the held.
Capt. McRac sat down calmly and quiet1,,
On one Of his guns, and with revolver in hi
hand, refusing to fly or desert his post, III
fought to the Last, and gloriously died tn
The Texans suffered terribly in his charge
| Many officers distinguished themselves o,
this day. Major Donaldson. who was chic
Aid Of Colonel Candy, acted bEayely, aud va
conspicuous on every part Of the field. Hi
horse was wounded in several places
teers. who were deployed as skirn1ish
crs, Cid good service during the action and be
haved well. We have, however, to name th
loss Of Lieutenants Mich1er and Stone, who
Ike Capt McRae, nobly and b1aye1y mair
gloriously died the death Of patriots. Man
others were wounded.
Our loss was about 200 killed and wounded
that Of the enemy is believed to be muc
t more.
The g1eateEt confidence is reposel in Co
CanbY, and If the volunteers will do the
duty. the Texans viii be ignominiously drive
| from Lnc country.