The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-01-27
CHARGE OF THE TEXANS
In the Battle of Valverde, N. M, at
the First of the War.
PHILADELPHIA Times.

Il
A narrative of The battle OF Va'verde,
fought near Fort Crsig, 10 New Mexico.
on the 2lst of February, 1862, appears
10 the current number Of the Times.
Some of the scenes are described so
vividly as TO warrant the repetition OF
several paragraphs here, The writer,
Lieut.. Cook, then OF the regular army,
says; About O'Clock p M. Col Csnhy
ami staff arrived He assumed command
ipd at once proceeded to make new dis
pos lions, all Witch we we're all wei
pleased, for We had been standing sill
in one position no for some two hoprs
and we're all very impatient thereas.
Col. Carson's rec iment was stationed
below the bend 10 the river facing east-
ward. To his left was Pino, the militia
commander, with his forces. Halls bat
terry, which remained all day in one po-
sition, was moved to the front across the
river. McRae's battery was moved one.
fourth of mile up the river and ad-
vsnced little. In its front was email
clesred:spsce Of perhaps two acres, be,
yond which the woods we're thick. hut
the enemy could be seen moving among
the trees in consi ierabfe force, and il
was known that he bad some movement
which was soon to be made. MGR ie
began to shell them. and at this momen,
the rt.came that Halls battery was
threatened. Canby fearing that. in case
of q charge upon Hall, pino's regiment
OF militia would not stand it's ground
(there being but two small compsnies oi
regulars with it) detached;ihree compa-
nies of the Fiilu infantry, under Capt
Wingate, to 60 in double quick to it;
relief. This was a fatal error, for nc
sooner had these troops been. sent laway
than body OF the enemy, 1000 strong,
was seen TO emerge from the woods into
the clearing in front Of McRie, making
directly for him. He'doubIe loaded his
guns with grape and canister and fred
as rapidly as possible on the advancing
toe, but the distance was so short that
the pieces. we're aimed too his ID and did
no execution.
Right on they came in spite Of oppo-
sition, yelling like SO nanyfdeniz ms OF
The internal sl.regions who. had just made
their escape. Armed with doubled.bar-
relied shot-guns, six.shooters and bowie
knives, they waited until at short range,
when they discharged. their shot.guns at
the artillerisls with murderous effect.
Tnen when their guns we're empty they
threw them away and mixed With the
meu at the cannon 10 band-to.hand
encounter, using their pistols and knives.
! Our men did all that Fl 'sh and blood
could do to save their battery, but ithe
odds was more thap four to one against
them. and therefore in fight OF tsis
kind but sone termination vas possible.
Those who we're not killed or wounded
were driven With their supporters into
the liver together. Many were shot in
the water while crossing, and their bodies
were carri.d away by the current. Those
who escaped, when they reached the
other side, reformed their ranks and
marched away towards the fort, their
own guns hurling shot and shell after
them to expedite the movement.
When Capby saw tnst McRae's battery
was to be charged hy the enemy be sent
hasty erder for Wingate to return, but
by the time that officer got he order he
had all be could attend to in repnlsing q
squadron of cavalry that was charging
him. They came on at gallop with
drawn sabres, making the woods resound
With their usual demoniac yells. They,
no doubt, expected to scire the blue
coats into taking to their heels for safety,
but that battalion happened TO be made
of the kind of material that does rot do
that sort OF fighting. Thew stood their
ground until the enemy was within fifty
yards OF them, when tie captain's voice
rang out clear and sharp. Fire" and
the report which followed was as II one
man bad pulled all the triggers at once
When the smoke cleared away we looked
for one moment at the heap Of dead and
wounded horses and men, bat saw no
enemy to oppose US. A second order
to return now came from Cauby. almost
Instantly folio wed by another saving
that the battery was gone and for US to
fall back across the river as quickly as
possible.