Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-04-28
MILITARY OPERATIONS IN NEW
MEXICO.

The following Is the official report OF late mill
tary operations In New Mexico:
Headquarters Northsrs Dicisioa q. S. foyess,)
SAN JOSE, N M March 80, 1862. /
The AdjRtdnt Gsxsral U. s. Army, Washington
SrR: As the department commander IA at Fort
Craig, beyond the lines Of the enemv have the
honor to submit. direct, synopsis Of the military
operations Of this division since Its Organization
at Fort Union. When an opportunity occurs, a
complete report viii be submitted through the
proper channels i
After the arrival of the First Regiment Colo
rado Volunteers at Fort Union, found that Col
Paul, 4th N. M Vols, had completed the pre-
iiminary arrangements for throwing a column of
troops into the field, and, bv seniority Of voluh-
teer commission, claimed the command. Ac-
cordingly, the following division was organized,
and l az umed command Of the whole:
First Colorado Volunteers, aggregate. S16
Capt Lewis battalion 5th infantry and Capt.
Ford's company Col Vols (4th N. Mex
fco,) three companies. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 191
Capt Howland's cavalry, de,achments 1st
and 3D. cavalry, Company Z, Sd cavalry. $50
Capt. Ritter's batterv-4 guns. ............ SO
Lieut.. Clafin's battery-4 small howitzsrs 30
Total. 342
The movement commenced from Fort Union
on Saturday, the 22d March. and the command
encamped at Bernal Springs, As miles from Union,
on Tuesday, 25th inst. On Wednesday, 2Sth,
comm and Of 200 cavalry and 190 infantry was ad-
vanced towards Santa Fe, with view OF cap
Y,
ed TO be stationed there. Maj Chivngton com
manded the force thus advanced. The enemy,
In force, were engaged near Johnson's Ranch, in
Apache Canon, about Is miles on this side OF
Santa Fe. The result was victorious to forces.
The enemy was defeated, with some 20 or %
killed, more wounded, and about 20 prisoners.
who fell into our hands Our loss was small-3
were killed in battle, 2 since died; and some 8
others are wounded. Among the wounded is
Capt Cook, ol. Vols. badly. 4 regret to report
That Lieut. Marshall, Col Vols, accidentally
killed himself while breaking a loaded musket,
which be held In his hand by the muzzle
Having accomplished this, Major Chivingston's
command took position on the Pecos, at Koslow-
skis Ranch, % miles from Santa Fe. About noon
on the 27th left Camp Paul, at Bernal Springs.
and about o'clock next morning had posted
nv entire force at Koslowski's.
On the 2sth, a movement was made upon the
enemy In TWO columns, with View Of recon col
this purp 0se an infantry force of regulars and
volunteers, under Major Chivington, was direct
ed to move of on the Galisto road attain the
princip pal heights upon the side of Apache Canon
and occupy them, while the main BODY under
my command, moved directly into the Canon
II was known before this movement was made
that the enemy had been strongly reinforced and
his estimated strength was from 2OO to l,4OO
At O'Clock we left our encampment and at 1Ok
a. m, we arrived at Pigeons Ranch S miles dis
tant-the command under Msjor Chivington hav-
Koslowskiis. We had Just reached Pigeons
when directed Capt Chaplin, 7th Infantry, Ad-
Jutant General, 10 proceed forward with the cav
airy and reconnoiter the position OF the enemy
de had proceeded but about 300 yards, when our
pickets were driven in, and the enemy opened a
fire Of grape and shell from a battery carefully
placed In position upon the hill. side ab )ve. The
batteries were brought forward, and the infantry
thrown out upon the hsnks; the cavalry, with an
additon OF infantry, supported the batteries, and
the firing became general The battle continued
over i've hours; the tghting was all done in thick
covers Of cedar; and, having met the enemy where
he was not expected, the action was defensive
fIom Its beg inning 10 its end. Major Chiving-
toms command continued on towards Johnson's,
where some 200 OF the rebels were posted, and
turing and destroying Ii, and capturing and de-
stroying one ak pound gun, and taking two Off
Gers and about 10 men prisoners The loss Of
this train was a most serious disaster to the en-
envy, destroying his baggage and ammunition,
and depriving him Of provisions, Of which he
was abort Much praise is due TO the officers and
men Of Major Chivington's command
About five o'clock p. m, flag Of truce came
from the enemy, and measures we're taken by both
forces to gather up the dead and take care Of the
officer Lieut.. Baker, Colorado Volunteers) killed;
two Lieut.. McGrath u 3 A, and Lieut. Cham
bers, Colorado Volunteefs,) wounded; twenty
eight men killed and about 40 wounded. We
lost some IS prisoners. The loss Of the enemy is
great His killed amount to at least 100; his
wounded at least $50, and one captain and several
men prisoners. He Is SILL buryfng his dead. II
IS claimed In the battles Of the 10th and 2eth
together, that we have damaged the enemy at
leas; $50 killed, wounded and prisoners ard have
destroyed their entire train and three pieces Of
artillefy-one bv Msjor Chivington and two by
our batteries. We have killed S Of their officers
majors, one captain and two lieutenants and
have captured more-2 captains and lieuten-
ants fhis has been done with the purpose Of
annoying and harrsssing the enemy, and under
orders from Colonel Candy, commanding depart
ment. But as the Instructions from him are to
protect Fort Union at all hazards and leave moth
ing to chance, and, as the enemy's numbers and
position in mountain canon are. too strong to
make battle with my force, / shall now occupy
position to protect Fort Union, and at the same
time further harrass and damage the enemy.
Ofacers and men, regulars and volunteers all
acquitted themselves handsomely during both
engagemsats. IL 10 especially proper that praise
should be accorded Captain Ritter and Lieut.
Clafin, u. s. A for the efficient manner In
which they handled their batteries, during the
battle Of the 2sth inst. j desire to notice the
members Of my staff for the efncient manner In
" hieb they assisted ne In the battle Of Pigeons
Ranch, ana especially Captain Chaplin, U. A,
Assistant Adj jutant General; Lieuts Bonesteel and
Cobb, Of the Colorado Volunteers; and MIR. J.
Howe Watts, Volunteer Aid; upon all Of whom
fell the heavier portion Of dangerous duty during
the battle; and whose intelligent and courageous
and prompt action contributed much towards the
result attained. In conclusion, would add, that
TO Captain Chaplin, whose connection with me
was the most intimate, and upon whom fell the
burden Of duty, I owe and return especial thanks.
l have the honor to be, with much respect,
your obedient servant,
(Sigued,) JOHN p SLOUGH