Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-03-19
Important Battle M Nc Mexico

Important Battle IN New Mexico.
The particulars Of a desperate battle
fought in the vicinity of Fl. Craig, in New
Mexico. between the Union troops and
q strong force Of Texan rebels, on the DIST
of February have been received. The dis
patches state that the Texans made
various significant movements in tina,
vicinity of Fort Craig on the 18th ult.-
They advanced q column of infantry
1000 strong, in line of battle, in front O.
the. Fort and also moved a column Of
800. cavalry to the west of the other de
fences.
They advanced within a mile and O
half of the works, and halted, with the
secession flag floating in the breeze, and
remained some time, and then commene.
ed a retrograde movement.
During the time of the advance Col
Candy p%rudently concealed the greater
part OF his forces in the rear of the fort
When the enemy commenced retreatine
and the infantry was separated from the
cavalry, Col. Candy ordered Maj. Duncan
to charge the cavalry of the enemy with
a squad of dragons and mounted men,
which they did in gallant style, the enc.
my retreating until they arrived at q deeT
rayine.
The Texan infantry in the meantime
advanced to the relief of the cavalry, and
a skirmish took place at the ravine. Ma,
Jor Duncan late in the evening was real
lied and the Texans continued to fall
back.
1t is reported that the Texans had eight
pieces of artillery placed in a battery
masked in a rayine but a short distance
below where the skirmish took place.
On the 10Th and 10Th the Texans cross.
edto the east bank of the RioGrande in
order, it is supposed, to take possession
OF the nights opposite Fort Craig.
Col. Cranky crossed and pursued them
in force, when the Texans on the height:
fired some so cannon shots without dam
age to our forces
Col. Candy fired but twoshots, deeming
it imprudent TO waste ammunition. On the
morning of the 21st 300 Texan mules were
captured with their wagon masters. The
Texans are on the highlands destitute Of
water; Col. Candy has the pass to the water
guarded by a battery of 1000 men and al
other outlets guarded in force. The Tex.
ans must either fight desperately for wa
ter or surrender.
When the express closed on the morn.
ing of the 2lst, the booming of cannon
was heard in the garrison of Valverde an.
nouncing that the battle had begun.
The military Express just arrived from
Fort Craig with newso of a series of conflicts
between our forces and the Texans, which
lasted from 9 A. N. of the 2Ist, until sun.
down of the same day, The fight com,
menced in the morning between a portion
of our troops under Col. Roberts and the
enemy across the Rio Grande with varied
success until n or two o'clock that day.
Col. Candy then crossed the river in force
with a batteryot 6 pieces under Capt. Nc,
Raey, of the Cavalry, but detailed in com.
mand OF the battery, also a small battery
OF two howitzers. The enemy was sup
posed to have I or s pieces.
The battle was commenced by the artil
lery and skirmishers, and soon became
general. Towards evening most of the
enemy's guns were silenced. They how,
ever made a desperate charge on the how.
itzer battery, but were repulsed with great
loss. Capt McRaey's battery was defend.
ed by Captain Plimpton's Co., U. S. In,
fantry, and a portion of Col. Pino's regi
mcnt Of New Mexican volunteers.
The Texans charged desperately and
%furiously with picked men, about 600
strong. Thew were armed with carbines,
revolvers, and long seven pound bound
knives. After discharging their carbines
at a close distance, they drew their revol.
vers and rushed on the battery in a storm
of grape and canister. The Mexicans OF
Pino's regiment were panic striker, aud
ingloriously fed.
Capt. Plimpton and infantry stood THEN
ground and fought nobly till more than
one half their number were dead. With
his artilleryman cut down, his support
either killed wounded or flying from the
field, Capt McRae sat down calmly on one
of his guns, and with a revolver in hi:
hand, refused to fly or desert his post, he
fought to the last, and gloriously died the
death, of a hero-the last man by his
guns.
The Texans suffered terribly in thi.
charge. Many officers distinguished them
selves on this day. Major Donaldson
who was chief aid of Col. Candy, acted
bravely, and was conspicuous on every
part of the field. His horse was wound.
ed in several places but he was not in
jured.
Kit Carson, in command of a Regiment
of Volunteers who were deployed as skier
mishers, did good service during the &C
ton andbehaved well. We have, however,
to name the loss of Lieuts. Mickeler and
Stone who, like Capt. McRae nobly and
bravely maintained the honor of our flag
to the last and gl%oriously died the death
of patriots.
Mony other officers were wounded
Our loss was about 200 killed and wound
ed, that of the enemy is believed to be
much greater.
The greatest confidence is reposed in
Col. Candy, and if the volunteers will dc
their duty the Texvns will be driven in
gloriously from the country.