New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-03-26

were attem pied 10 be placed IN oroer OF Ohtio, W.
which oocasioned confusion in Col. Hno's regimeas
and rendered it impossible to restore them to ordess
although Major Donelson, Col. Pine, and other ON.
GERS did all It was 10 the power Of men TO DO te
quiet them. Col Kit Carsons regiment observes
good order during the csnnoosde. The whole foros
was 20 well protected BY the elevations which inter
harmless 10 loss OF life having been occasoned by
w. and but one wounded slightly, by splinter from
9aii which struck rock and broke.
A consequence Of the unmznageable condition 81
Col rino's regiment, Col Candy ordered counter.
march to the Fort, and all safely returned before
night.
The Texans had now been from water q whols
day, and their animate were suffering extremely
from thirst 80 exhausted had they become, that Il
was found necessary Tor some time to double teams
in order to draw the wagons up the hills; finally.
they broke down completely, and toward night t6S
wagons could not be moved. During the ngos md
next morning our scouts captured over 200 Of the
guard which bad been placed over them, and were
wandering in search Of water. One wagon master
was taken prisoner during the morning Of the Dist.
who gave the above information In reference 10 the
bad condition of the teams
The loss of 30 many horses and mules made 1t nee
essary for the enemy TO abandon large number OF
their wagons in the morning, large proportion OF
which was burned by our scouts. Some OF the wax'
ons contained provisions, but the wagons them
selves as we understand, moro loss to the Tex.
ans than the provisions and teams. Had the sequea
been different from what it proved to DO in the en-
gagemeut the 2lst, q retreat on the part OF no
enemy would have been impossible, because OF she
absence of transportation. Without entering INTO
minuise the above il general statement OF the In
cidents of the 10Th and both, and which has 10
chief interest when taken in connection with whas
was TO follow.
About o'clock on the morning Of the 2lst, Col.
Candy ordered Col. Roberts with bis Cavalry, Cot
Naldez's Cavalry Col. CarsOns Volunteers, aud the
5tu, 9TH and 10Th Infantry, and Capt. AlcRaes aud
Lieut.. Halls Batteries. to proceed up the west bank
oil the Rio Grando and preveLt the Texans from
reaching the water at the only point the river was
accessible by the sloping banks. This position wn
about seven miles north of the fort, and when Col
Roberts, command reached it, he found the enemy
had anticipated bis march, and had gained the wafer
first. Col. Roberts Immediately opened the bate
cries upon Them ut which they retreated with
loss of twenty five thirty killed and one cannon.
The gun was disInounted by Capt. McRae, and was
spiked aud rendered useless before was abandoned.
When the enemy retired, Col Robertss force crossed
the rver and took position on the east bank where
the igntng was kept up with varied success unth
Capt. Mcbaes Battery was charged and taken.
After /, Col. Candy came on the field with bis
guard and staff followed by Col. Pno's regiment OF
volunteers, and assumed command III person.. UP 10
this h0ur the fighting had been done principally with
the batteries; Capt. Mcae vita his battery occupy.
my position on the extreme left, and Lie0t. Had
On the left flank there was thick wood which
skr,d to within about $50 yards Of the position held
by Capt. McRae's battery. In this WOODS numerous
bodies OF the enemy had been seen collecting for the
space of hour and half Father outside the range
OF the guns The object of this not being known,
and it being impossible TO discover il from scouts,
Col Candy resolved to dslo1ge them from the shelter,
aud ordered the battery 10 be- brought up to the edge
Of the wood tor that purpose. Capt McRaes Dst-
terry, thus stationed, was TO DO supported by Two
companies of regulars and two companies OF volun-
teers which were arranged In horizontal position
to the left and behind the battery. Lieut.. Halls
guns were to be supported by the cavalry and Col
Carson's regiment.
These arrangements having been completed it was
designed by Col. Canby 10 make an advance move
ment toward the enemy. Suddenly, an exceedingly
brisk rattle of Dusketry and other small arms was
heard toward the right of tie field 50 loud and un-
expected II that II ttracted the general alien.
lion to that quarter no one being able to compre-
bend why OF that character should take
place there and al that tine. The object. however.
was soon discovered " ce ruse OIL the par! OF tho
Texans to divert attention from the movements they
were putting on foot for the batteries About thas
time they began the charges, and such charges ~
they made are without u parallel IN the bhtofy OF
ancient or modern warfare. The one against Lieut..
balls battery MADE by cavalry, aud was sue
cessfully repulsed in the midst OF great carnage.
But the upon Capt. McRae's cannot 90 descrIoed
with language. lie enemy odvanced steadily on
The iron bail through which they passed cut through
their ranks. making in them frighnul vacancies, Dut
Il had 10 other elect.
Voey after vouey did the faithful and brave
McRae discharge upon the advancing column, unth
il seemed that demons themselves could not with.
stand the effects Of the death messengers they sent
forth. On on, rolled the enemy In deaths face "
il was belehed from the cannons mouth, until they
had seut TO their last long homes every one that
manned the guns except QUE or two. They gono,
the battery tell easily into the hands OF the Texans
who had dared all to obtain it. We say that when
the gunners gone the battery fell po the snds
of the enemy because the support which was lo-
tended for il entirely failed. Tue regulars aud vodn.
teers to which have referred as having been de.
tailed for that duty, could not be made 70 comply
with it. In their Tat position they remained until u
was longer safe, and then made precp plate run
for the river uto which they plunged III spite OF tho
urgent remonstrance aud orders OF Col. Candy and
others, ike 40 many scared cattle would have done.
Capt. Lords Dragons, too, failed to Charge the
enemy when COMMANDED We ara told they were
equally obstinate against command enireaty from
Major Donaldson, and effort TO rescue the battery
from the peril Into which they saw II falling waS
made
Bravery and cowardice arc seldom placed in such
striking contrast Ms they wers dulng tbi' coarse:
With their dead companions in arms IN leaps around
them. aud over Which they had TO cllnb to ssrve
their pieces the gallant McRac AMI his men stood as
the post OF duty and periOne acts OF berOisn "othy
of Sparta best DAYS until bone OF them were leit 20
do more. while those who should have come TO their
rescue iugIoriously fled, and macy OF them fell dead
rierc,d vi balls of the en- my received the back.
When ,he battery Was lost, the fate Of the Gay
was sealed 10 favor Of the enemy, and our forces
retired TO Fort Craig 10 good order always except
ing the companies above referred to.
Col CANDY had in the engagement about J, oOo
men. consisting Of regulars and volunteers. The
forcs Of the enemy under COL Steele was from 500
TO 1900 Our loss WAS according TO the best inIor-
nation, 50 or o. killed. aud about lao wounded
Tie loss of the enemy is varousy estimated at from
100 to 500 killed and wounded. Tue Latter Is Of
course bared entirely upon surnise, and the correct
unnnhar will not ha known 20 us. We have hcard