Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1890-06-14

the 10th in full view OF the federals
and his troops camped in one of the
ravlnes in the midst of grove of
pines. Gen. Candy ordered $500 men
to cross the river and reconnoiter the
position of the Confederates. The Tex
ans deployed as skirmishers threw the
New Mexican volunteers into such con-
fusion that they were withdrawn under
cover OF demonstration by the federal
cavalry on the confederate right. The
federal troops re-entered the fort. In
the night the Texans lost over 200 horses
and mules which stampeded and were
captured by the federas. This seriously
crippled their supply train. The next
day Gen. Sibley, now commanding in
person, made a strong demonstration
against the fort, while an equal force un-
der Col. Scurry was dispatched to make a
careful approach toward the upper ford
Of the river. This movement was dis
overed
MET BY FORCE OF REGULARS
under Col Roberts and McRaes bat
terry, while New Mexico volunteers and
cavalry were dispatched across the
river to flank the confederates. The
groves of pine and cottonwood in the
Valverle bottom lands near the river
concealed the movements of the opposing
forces near the upper ford The federals
were posted behind low sand hills, logs
and scattering trees, and began to DIR We
the Texans from their position at the
crossing. These found that the federals
had taken the position upon which de-
pended the issue of the battle, and imme.
diately concentrated their troops to secure
and hold it. Three attempts were made
IN the forenoon to dislodge Roberts and
Duncan. Heavier guns were brought up
and the artillery firing grew more fierce
in the afternoon. The federals had eight
pieces in action. The Texan cavalry I'M
der Pyron were dismounted and fought
The fedetals for two hours with the 4th
Texas infantry.
GEN. SHELLEY YIELDED
the command to Col. Green, being
exhausted from recent illness and
the strain of the fighting in the fore
noon. Candy sought to turn the con-
federate left, which movement was di.
verled by charge of Texan cavalry on
Duncan's position, and Carson's New
Mexicans repealed another co umn of Tex
ans, charging upon one of the field pieces.
Thus by counter movements the hostile
forces wore away the afternoon, both sides
suffering severely. Shortly before sunset
all along the line. They advanced in the
segment of circle, half mile long, en-
veoping the left, front and part of the
right OF the federal batteries. Armed
only with doubled-barreled fowling pieces
and revolyers, with daring unsurpassed,
they faced the deadly fire Of grape, can
lister and musketrv poured npon them.
Candy had ordered the New Mexican vol
unteers to the support of his batteries.
He now reinforced hem with four COM
panies Of regulars and one company Of
Colorado volunteers. But the
NEW MEXrCANs
gave way in panic and carried the
supporting troops with them. Then the
federal cavalry charged upon the Texans
at the captured guns and desperate fight
ing ensued around them at close quarters
The federals were finally driven from the
guns.
THEIR LINE WAS BROKEN,
and under cover of their cavalry they
effected all orderly retreat from the
sand hills and crossed the river
with their wounded and ammnni-
ton wagons. The troops near the
fort we're also withdrawn to its pro-
tecting walls. The federal losses were
serious. They had slxty-eight killed, l6S
wounded and m ssing. The Texans lost
t,irty-six killed and $50 wounded.
Several brilliant officers were killed on
both sides, hut the invaders triumphed on
the battle field Of Valverde. The Texan
tr oops were strongly posted, but their
valor was hey ond question, for though
they were handled with great skill, they
were extremely reckless in charging all
along the line; the Texas cavalry cap
turing seven pieces of artillery in the front
of the charging line of infantry.
THE FEDERALS MADE NO ATTEMPT
to renew the battle, but the confed-
crates by the loss of their wagons
had only five days rations, and
it WAS perilous to attack the fort in
such restitution OF provisions. They con-
sequently made forced march to Socor-
70, where their sick and wounded found
comfortable quarters, and then pushed on
to Albuquerque, where they captured
abundant supp les abandoned by the
United States troops there. There was
d"pot Of valuable commissary and ordi-
nance stores at Cubero which also fell
into their hands. Still more anxious to
seize the supplies at Santa Fe, the Texan
cavalry were now dispatched TO the
capitol, but the federal troops evacuated
the city before their arrival. aud took
away to Fort Union train of 10 wagons.
Gen. Sihley promptly brought up all
his forces to the capitol and prepared them
by a short rest for demonstration
against Fort Union like the successful
one upon Fort Craig.
To be continued.