Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1862-03-18
Battle at Fort Craig.

81. LOUIS, Marcn 10.
The Republican has advices from Blbu-
querque, Now Mexico, of Feb ODD, which
state that the Texans have made variou
signiicant movements 10 the vicinity of
Fort Craig.
On the 10Th and Goth the Texans crossed
to the east bank Of the Rio Grand, in order,
1t is supposed. to take possession 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 damage to our force.
Col. Candy fired two shots, deemed i'm pru-
dent to waste ammunition.
Ga the morning Of the 2lst, 200 mules,
belonging TO the Texans, were captured
with their wagon master.
The Texans are on the heights, and
destute of water. Col. Candy has the pass
to the water guarded by a battery and
1000 men, and all other outlets guarded
IN force. The Texans must either fight
desperately for water or surrender.
When the express closed on the morning
of the 2lst, the booming Of cannon was
heard in the direction Of Valverde, announ.
cling that the battle had Legun.
LATER.
The military express has Just arrived
Of conflicts between our forces and the
Texans, which lasted from o'clock a. NJ.
of tbs 2lst until shutdown of the same dsy.
The fighting commenced in the morning
between portion of our troops under Col.
Roberts and the enemy across the Rio
Grande, with varied success until or .
o'clock that day. Col Candy then crossed
the river IN force, with q battery of six
N,D &c
but detailed in command of tn bait nv
The battle commenced by artillery aud
diminishing. and SOON became general -
Towards evening must OF the enemv's guns
were silenced. They. however, made q
desperate charge on the battery. but were
repulsed with great loss.
Captain McRae's battery was defended
by Captain Plimpton's company of U. S.
infantry and PORTION Of Col Peno's regis
ment OF Mexicans volunteers.
The Texans charged desperately and
furiously with picked me en- about COO strong.
They we're armed with carbincs, revolvers
and long seven pound bowie knives. After
discbarging their carbines at Gloss distance
they drew revolvers and rushed on the
battery, in storm of grape and canister.
The Mexicans of Pino's regimet were panic
stricken and vigorously fed. Captain
Plimptiou and infantry stood their ground.
and fought nObly till more than one half
the command were numbered with tie
dead. His artillerymen cut down, his sup
port either killed or woun led, or flying
from the field. Capt. McRae sat down
quietly and calmly on one of his guns and
with revolver IN his hands refusing to
ny or desert his post, he fought to the last,
and gloriously died the death Of a hero
the last man by his gun.
The Texans suffered terribly in this
charge. Many officers distinguished them
selves.
Kit Carson. in command of a regiment
OF volunteers, who were dsployed as skirm-
ers, did good service during the action, and
behaved we'll. We have, however, to ZANE
the loss OF Lleutensnts MichIer and Stone.
who, like Capt McRas, nobly and brayely
maintained the honor of our fac m the
last. and gloriousIy died the death of
patriots.
Our loss was about 200 killed and
wounded that Of the enemy is believed to
be much more.