Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-03-14
Important from New Mexioo.

| HaSuS III tus Nlclplty OF Fort Craig. On
tne 18th they advanced a column of iu-
lantry, one thousand strong in line of bat
tie in front of the fort, and also moved a
column eight hundred cavalry to the west
OF our defences, and then they advanced
within mile and half of the works, halted
With secession flag floating in the breeze,
remained some time, and then commenced
retrogade movement.
During the time of the advance, Colonel
Candy prudently concealed the greater
part of his force in the rear of the fort /;
when the enemy commenced retreating, and
the infantry was separated from the caval-
rY. Candy ordered Maj, Duncan to charge
on the cavalry of the enemy with a squad
ron of dragons and mounted men, which
they did in gallant style, the enemy retreat
ing before them until they arrived at deep
ravtne. The Texan infantry in the mean
time advanced to the relief of their cavaI-
~, and sktrmish took place at the ra.
vine.
Major Duncan late in the evening was
recalled and the Texans continued to fall
back.
1t was reported that the Texans had
pieces ofnrtiilery. placed in battery, mask
ed In the raVine, but short distance be.
low where the skirmish took place.
On tue 18th and goth the Texans crossed
the east bank of the Rio Grande, in order,
1t is supposed, to take possession of the
heights opposite Fort Craig. Candy cross.
ed and pursued them, when the Texans on
the heights fred some fifty cannon shots
without damage to our forces. Tho cav
airy ti:ed but two shots, deeming it impru-
dent to waste ammunition.
On the morning of the 2lst, 200 Texan
mules were captured, with their Wagon
masters. The Texans are on the high
lands destitute of water. Candy has the
pass to the water guarded by battery,
and 1000 men, and oil other outlets were
guarded III force. The Texans must either
fight desperately for water or surrender.
When the express closed on the morn
ing of the 3lst, the booming of cannon
was heard in the direction of Valverde, an
nOurcing that the hattie had begun.
Tho military express has just arrived
from Fort Craig, with the news of series
OF conflicts between our forces and the
Texans, which lasted from o'clock A. NJ.
of the 2lst, until shutdown of the same
day. The fight commenced in tho morn
ing, between a portion of our troops un-
der Col. Roberts, and the enemy across the
Rio Grande, with varied success, until one
or two o'clock that day. Candy then
crossed the river in force with battery
of six pieces under Captain McCray, OF
cavalry, but detailed in command Of the
battery also small battery of two how
itzers.
The enemy are supposed to have seven
or eight.
The battle, commenced by artillery and
skirmishers, soon became general. To-
wards evening most of the cnemy's guns
were silenced. They, however, made a
desperate charge on the howitzer battery,
but were repulsed with great loss.
Capt. McCray's battery was defended by
ry and portion of Col. Ptno's regiment of
New Mexican volunteers.
The Texans charged desperately and fu.
riously with picked men, about 600 strong.
They were armed with carbines, reVolvers
and long seven pound bowie knives. After
| dtscharging their carbines at close distance
they drew reVolVers and rushed on the bat
terry in storm of grape and canister.
The Mexicans of Col. Pino's regiment
were panic stricken aud ingloriousiy fed.
Capt. Plimpton and infantry stood their
ground and fought nobly till more than
One-half were numbered with the dead
With his artillerymen cut down, his sup
port either killed, wounded, or flying from
the field, Capt. AcRae sat down calmly and
quietly on one of his guns, and with revolt
yer in hand, refusing to fly or desert his
post, he fought to the last and gIoriously
died the death of hero, the last man by
his guns.
The Texans suffered terribly in this
charge.
Many officers distinguished themselves
on this day. Major Donaldson. who was
the chief aid of Colonel Candy, acted
brayely, and was remarkably conspicuous
on every part Of the field. His horse was
wounded in several places, but the Major
was not injured.
Kit Carson, in command of the regiment
of volunteers who were deployed as Skin
mishers, did good service during the action
and behaved we'll. We have. however, to
name the loss of Lteutenants Michler and
Stone, who, like Captain McRae, nobly and
braVely maintained tue honor OF our flag TO
the last, and gloriously died the death of
patriots. Many other officers are wounded.
Our loss is about 200 killed and wounded;
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 Texans will be ignomin,
iously driven from tbs country.
Additional Concerning the late Bat
tie in Arkansas.
Il SPRINGFIELD, No., March ia special
to the Missouri Republican says n mes
senger arrived at ten o'clock last night
bringing additional news Of the battlt
which took place on Little Sugar Greek, I
miles this side of the stream of the SAM
where skirmish took place on the marcel
!, down.
In anticipation of an attack on th,
South, Gen. Curtis ordered the trains
drawn up on the North side, bnt unexpect
eddy an attack was Commenced on ou
rear-to the NOrth-by about 1900 o
900 rebel cavalry. Gen Sigel, with sol
men protected the train for several hours
alternately retreating and stopping to holt
the enemy in check while the team
pushed backward to 1.-THE main body Of tn
army. While thus engaged Sfgel was a
times surrounded. but cnt his pZaZ thrnnnl