The battle of Valverde.
Confederate account
the Mesilla Times, extra, March some further details of the glorious and decisive victory achieved by Gen. Sibley's little army at, Valverde, New Mexico, February 21. The main facts of the previous reports are confirmed by the Times, and, indeed, little that is now is added.
The extra says: ‘ The long-expected engagement in New Mexico came off at Valverde, on the east bank of the Rio Grands, four miles above, Fort Craig, on Friday, February 21 The battle commenced at 9 o'clock in the morning, and lasted until sunset. The action was commenced by a portion of Col. Haylor's regiment, 250 strong, under command of Major Pyron, who were ordered to flunk the enemy. Upon reaching the river valley, they discovered the enemy on the left Major Pyron's command charged, to a good position, where they were covered by timber and a wide slough. They held this position for nearly an hour under a heavy fire of small arms, shell, grape, and round shot, before they were reinforced.
’ The whole Confederate command now arrived in position, when a general engagement took place all along the line. At first the enemy attempted to our left flank, when Major Lockridge came to their assistance and nearly did he do it. Then they made another attempt all along our lines, but without effect. Then again they made a concentrated attack upon our left with such vigor as to compel our forces to fall back from their first position to another.
While in this position, and late in the evening the enemy crossed the river with their battery, which proved fatal to them. The Confederate reserve, (Colonel Steel's command,) some 450 men, now joined in the action. A charge was made at the battery of the enemy and along their whole line, and the battery was taken at the point of revolvers and shot-guns, after a desperate struggle, when the enemy fled with great slaughter. The enemy suffered the most while retreating across the river, when the slaughter was truly terrible.
The battle was fiercely contested, and undoubtedly the severest of the present war, as desperate as any on record for the amount of men engaged. The roar of small arms, of shell, canister, grape and round shot, is described as having been terrific, and individual instances of great bravery and gallantry, numberless; while the whole army fought like veterans and patriots. The victory, though achieved gloriously, over double our numbers, was dearly won. We have to mourn the loss of 86 heroes, and have 106 wounded.
Major Lockridge was killed in the charge when the battery was taken, falling at the head of his column, and at the foot of a gun, but lived long enough to see victory crown our arms. In skill and bravery, he was surpassed by none. In his death the Confederacy has sustained a heavy loss; and his name will fill a bright page in our country's history. Capt Ven-Velt, of the 2d regiment, was also killed. He was a German, an old soldier, and a survivor of many campaigns. Capt. Lang, of the 2d regiment, was seriously wounded. His company of Lancers were severely cut up, and it is reported that they had eight killed and fifteen wounded. Captain Teel's company of artillery covered themselves with glory, and did most effectual service. They had eight killed and wounded, and several horses killed. It is reported that Capt. Teel has been promoted Major, for meritorious conduct. Major Piron and command distinguished themselves throughout this severely contested action. But the same bravery pertained to the whole army. The 2d regiment, (Col Green's,) sustained the heaviest loss, here being some twenty killed. In Capt Walker's company, Col Baylor's regiment, one killed, (ed. Campion,) John Cleghorn badly wounded, and two others slightly. In Capt Copwood's Spy company, there were two killed.
The night after the fight the Federals, under a flag of truce, requested permission to bury their dead and collect their wounded. At the time our informant left the number of killed and wounded was not accurately known, but was supposed to be over five hundred. I was not known how many of the Federals perished in the river Capt McRae, of the regular army, and Capt Hubbell, of the New Mexico Volunteers, were killed.--Capt Lasalle, of the regular army, and Capt Barrientos, of the volunteers, were taken prisoners.
A company of Pike's Peek volunteers was literally cut to pieces.
Of the Federal army of over 6,000 men stationed at Fort Craig on the night after the battle, only 3,000 could be mustered; more than half being killed, wounded, taken prisoners, or having deserted. Of the 1,000 Americans of the regular army, 700 were fit for duty. A captain of the regulars reported with tears in his eyes, that he had only six men left fit for duty in his company. The regulars fought with great bravery; and before the action both officers and men were sanguine of success.
The Federals at one time supposed they were victorious, and ceased firing for more than an hour. Of the seven pieces of artillery taken, there are three 6-pounders, two 12-pounders, one 24 pounder, and a howitzer — all unspiked and in good order. In the commencement of the action a shell was thrown into Kitt Carson's regiment of volunteers, killing and wounding some 20 when they became panic-stricken and flee to the mountains. The Federal force engaged was 5,000 men, 1,000 of whom were regulars, 100 Pike's Peak volunteers, and the remainder New Mexican volunteers and militia, under command of Brigadier-Gen Canby. A reserve was left in Fort Craig of some 1,200 or 1,000 men, under command of Brigadier-General Povey. The Confederate force engaged, including reserves and details, was not quite 2,500 men. Colonel Green was in immediate command of our forces, but General Sibley, though suffering from illness, was on the field the whole day.
It is reported that the Federal General (Canby) was the last to leave the twenty-four pound gun when taken. The Federals did not retreat in order, out exhibited a perfect Manassas Two hundred and fifty stand of small arms were taken. Numbers of the New Mexican volunteers were coming it to camp and giving up their arms. Courtesies were exchanged between the lines under flags of truce.
It is reported that propositions of surrender have been made — the Federals proposing to surrender the force, the officers to be paroled for the war, to retain their private property, and to be furnished with sufficient transportation to carry them to the State. This was refused, and it is thought the Federals will come to our terms — an unconditional surrender.
[Late advices state that Fort Craig has surrendered upon terms dictated by General Sibley.]
Effect of the victory.
The Times adds:This glorious news creates a glow of joying this Valley. We are happy to send so pleasing a record to Texas, of the achievements of her born sons. The armies of the South will ever fight bravely, but they will never achieve a more brilliant victory often this.
A thousand leagues from the centers of civilization, amid a difficulties, to conquer two to one, rout an army well disciplined, well officered, and well furnished with claim stern improvement in arms, is more than a consummation of our fondest hopes.
This campaign will certainly be memorable in our country's history, and is replete impotent results, or the present and future of our new Confederacy.
Flushed with the exultation of victory, yet sorrowful for the noble dead, we send the people of Texas the greeting of success.
Three cheers for the army of New Mexico.
