Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1862-03-21
WHOLE NUMBER :224.

Major Duncan late in the evening was
| recalled, and the Texans continued to fall
, back.
| 1t was reported that the Texans had
) eight pieces of artillery placed in Bate
ry masked in the ravne, but a short dis
tance from where the skirmsh took place.
On the 10Th and 20th the Texans cross
ed to the east bank of the Rio Grande,
in ORDER it is supposed to take possess
sion Of the heights opposite Fort Craig.
Col. Candy crossed and pursued them in
force, when the Texans on the heights
fred some fifty cannon shots without dam
age to our forces. Col. Candy fired two
shots, but deemed it imprudent to waste
his ammunition. On the morning of the
2lst, 200 Texan mules were captured,
with their wagon master. The Texans
are on the high lands, and are destitute
of water. Col. Candy has the pass TO
the water guarded by a battery and two
thousand men, and all the other outlets
are guarded in force. The Texans must
either fight desperately for water or sur
render.
LATER.
When the express closed on the morn.
ing of the 2lst, the booming of cannon
was heard at Nalverde, announcing that
the battle bad begun.
LATEST.
A military express has ust arrived
from Fort Craig with news of serious
conflicts between our forces and the Tex
ans, which lasted from o'clock on the
morning of the 2lst until sundown of the
same day. The fight commenced in the
morning, between portion of cur troops
under Col. Roberts and the enemy across
the Rio Grande, with varied success, un-
til one or two o'clock of that day, the 2lst.
Col. Candy then crossed the river in
force, with battery of six pieces under
Captain McCray, of the cavalry, but de-
tailed TO the command of the battery
Col. Candy also took with him a small
battery of two howitzers. The enemy
were supposed to have eight field pieces.
The battle was commenced by our artil-
lery and skirmishers, and soon it became
general. Towards evening the guns of
the enemy were silenced. They, how
ever, made desperate charge on our
howitzer battery, but were repulsed with
great loss. Captain AlcCray's battery
was defended by Captain Plmpton's
company of L. S. Infantry, and a portion
of Col. Pinas' regiment of New Mexi-
cans. The Texans now charged despe-
rately and furously with picked men,
about 600 strong, on McCray's battery.
They were armed with carbines, revolv-
ers, and long seven-pound bowie knives.
After discharging their carbines at close
quarters, they drew their revolyers and
reached the battery amidst a storm of
grape and canister. The New Mexicans
Of Col. Pinas' regiment became panic
stricken and ingloriously fed. Captain
Plimpton with the u. S infantry stood
their ground and fought nobly, until more
than one half were numbered with the
dead. With his artillery cut down and
with his support reported killed, wound
ed, or flying from the field, Capt. McCray
sat down calmly and quietly on one of
his guns and, with revolver in hand, re-
fusing to fly or desert his post, he fought
to the last and gloriously died like hero
the last man at his guns. The Texans
suffered terribly in this desperate charge,
Many Of our officers greatly distin-
guished themselves on this day. Major
Donaldson, who was chief Aid-de- Camp
to Col. Candy, acted braveIy, and was
in every part of the field.
His horse was wounded in several places,
but the Major was not injured. Kit Car
son was in command of a regiment of
volunteers, who were deployed as skir-
mishers His command did good service
drring the action and behaved well.
We have to lament the loss of Leuts.
Micher and Stone, who, like Capt. Nc
Cray, nobly and bravely maintained the
honor Of our flag to the last, and died the
death of patriots.
Many other of our officers are wound
ed. Our loss is about 200 killed and
The loss of the enemy is be-
ieved to be much greater. The greatest
confidence is reposed in Col. Candy, and
f the volunteers will do their duty, the
Texans will be ANONYMOUSLY driven from,
he country.
WoRRYING.-An old author has re-
marked that there are two things which
does no good to worry about-what