The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1862-05-03
THE BATTLE IN NEW MEXICO.
FoRr UHIoN, NEW MExIco,l
Anril lth 1882

We lett camp ell, EeOTuaIy lzu, GA sV"sS
for Santa Fe. We had 6ne time, good weather
and good health throughout the regiment
Every thing went smoothly until We got within
$50 miles Of Fort Union, when We heard that
Col. Candy had had battle with the rebels and
was defeated, and that the rebels we're marching
on Fort Union We marched 80 miles that day.
stopped on Red river, got come supper, unloaded
our wagons, and leaving guard OF loO men 70
take care of the baggage and beef CATTLE We
jumped into the wagons, and away We went %
fast as mule flesh could carry u.s. We Travelled
until two o'clock, in the morning, stopped
made some coffee and took bite, and away We
went, travelled all day, came to Mexican town'
stopped and stayed all night-started in the
morning before day light, heard that the rebels
we're in forty-fve miles Of Fort Union, We lost
no time, and at sun down were landed in the
Fort We soon learned that there was not any
danger-the men in the Fort got scared ana go'
up this report. We remained in Fort Union
until the boys we left back, came up. we drew
a suit Of clothing and exchanged our old guns for
new ones. We we're beginning to get tired OF
staying in Fl. Union, when there was an order
read on dress parade ut night that We should be
ready to march in the morning with pair OF
blankets to the man, and just the clothing we
had on our backs. So we started with about
sixty wagons Of grub and ammunition, and four
pieces of heavy artillery and four pieces OF light
We travelled three days and camped. got news
that the enemy were advancing upon US. So
Major Chivington, at the head OF about 800 men,
started to meet them, 10y the wsy, they we're
some forty miles ahead Of the Major.) The enemy
had taken their position in canon, one OF the
best positions in the world for defence The
Major marched into the canon, found the enemy
ready for him, who fred their cannon and mus
kerry, but did little damage, the shots going over
their heads. So the Major ordered his boys to
make bold charge-nO sooner said than done
the rebels saw the boys coming with blood in
their eyes, got frightened, took to their heels,
and away they went, leaving their dead and
wounded on the field-it is not known how ma
ny they lost, but it is supposed about seventy.
Our loss was four. The Major gathered up all
the guns they left behind, and broke them over
the rocks. The rebels sent flag Of truce. The
Major sent despatch to US, and retreated about
eight miles, and took his stand. You can bet
we were not long in getting ready We march
ed all night. came to the Majors camp before
sun up, cat some breakfast, got ready and start.
ed to meet tie DEVILS They had advanced on
ue, and taken their position, at place called
Pigeons Ranch, right in a canon, covered with
trees and bushes; it so happened that my Com
pany Tor the company belong to- were detailed
to support one of the batteries, and we had to
march in rear of the battalion. We had not
gone far before we could hear the booming OF
cannon, and we'll knew the fun had commenced.
Ny Captain, [Wilder,l came riding up, and We
took double quick, and soon came to the scene
OF action-ore Of our batteries had taken it,
stand. As we came up to our battery, the bull
lets from the enemy whistled all around us, and
one of our boys fell, shot through both legs
| We took our. stand behind our artillery, which
we were ordered TO support. We laid down OF
| our bellies, and the rebels would shoot over us
| every time We could not see the enemy, the
bushes were so thick-the devils undertook tc
| flank around us, and come in and get our guns
SO our Captain was ordered to take the first
platoon of his men and go upon the hill and cut
them off, / went with him. We took our stanC
upon ledge of rocks, where We had a good
| chance to give them the contents of our guns
| We we're within 200 feet of them, and when they
would stick their heads over the rock we woult
give them HI. We lost one man at the rock
but he was not killed instantly, and two wound
ed, and on the side of the rock where the rebels
we're, there were fifty killed aud great many
wounded 1t put me in mind of hunting SPUR
res. While We were peppering it to them
the rock, the other boys were giving it to then
down in the canon. The devils made charg,
on our battery, but our boys who remained bacl
with the battery, made rush at them and the!
run. There was q continued roar Of cannon in
termingled with musketry, when they made I
rush at cur battery-onr gunners discharged
their four guns in amongst them, and it move,
! them right and left. After fighting six hours
we discovered about 800 Texans coming owe
the rock where we were, and our Captain though
it was useless for so few of US to fight hand t
band: so he ordered US to retreat, and as we dit
30, they poured voley of musketry into us
which wounded one of our boys, but they dit
not get him; was by his side and helped hin
along When we got down where our batter
retreated little ways, made stand, and waite'
tor them to come up, but they retreated tn
other way, So we went to camp, and the rebel
sent flag of truce; they wanted a truce TO
three days, but our Colonel would not grant i
longer than to the next fore noon. The best o
the joke was, that, while we were fighting, Maj
Chivington took between three and four huDd
red men, and went over the mountains, came +
where they had left their train of sixty -four wa
CONS of provisions, ammunition, clothing, &c
set fire to them and burnt them to ashes, kile,
a lot OF mules and destroyed two pieces of artil
lery. The rebels who were guarding the train
fred on the Major with both guns, but did N
harm, and having accomplished his object, b
returned to our camp. The loss of the enemy
according to their own account, was 400, bu
we think it was much larger. Our loss, in killed
was SO, and about 60 wounded, and IL takel
prisoners; besides the killed and wounded OF
the rebel side, we took l03 prisoners. We ex
pected they would attack US again the next day
but as soon as they got their dead buried, the
lett for Santa Fe.
Joseph Cramer is no coward in fight. H
fought bravely c. d. FARRAR.
Rebel Accounts from the Peninsula.
From the Richmond Examiner, April ISL
We have but scanty intelligence from tn
Peninsula, bnt sufficient to induce the belle
that no general action is imminent in that quar-
ter. We have, from all accounts, an active an
wary foe to deal with on the Peninsula.
1t is reported that the enemy have cut cant
between the waters Of the York and Warwic
rivers, which gives him water front across th
whole stretch of country, and must contribut
rery much to the strength Of his position.
We learn that on Saturday last, sharp skin
mishing continued during the entire day on
portion of our lines During the night our me
lay on their arms. expecting to renew the skin
mishng and sharpshooting in the morning. b
break Of day it was found that the enemy ha
been at work all night, and had thrown up
: line CT intrepchments and mounted guns With
one thousand yards of our position.
The indications Of the intentions Of the enc
my are very uncertain, and it is thought not i'm
probable that he may be drawing off some of hi
forces for demonstration in the direction o
Fredericksburg. 1t is certain that at least tire
columns of the enemy might be concentrate,
here any day-McDowell's, Geary's and Hooker
If it be true, as reported, that the latter ha
crossed the river from lower Maryland.
! The report that Gen jackson has abandone,