Saturday, July 10, 2010

The Rebel troops driven out of New Mexico

KANSAS CITY, April 28. – The through mail with Santa Fe dates to the 12th, and Ft. Union to the 15th, arrived to-day.

After the battle of Pigeon Ranche, Colonel Slough fell back to Fort Union, where a dispatch was received from Gen. Canby, ordering a junction to be formed with him at Galestough. Major Paul was placed in command. The troops for the junction ordered by Gen. Canby, arrived at Galestough on the 8th in advance of General Canby, and learned that the Texans had abandoned Santa Fe, and were retreating from the Territory.

Major [Duncan] of Gen. Canby’s command, who was in command of the advance guard, had fallen in with a large party of Texans, when a fight occurred, the latter being repulsed. Maj. Duncan was slightly wounded.

Gen. Canby reached Galestough on the 11th and an immediate pursuit of the Texans was ordered, who were thirty miles south.

No doubt was entertained for the speedy capture of Sibley’s command, as they were entirely destitute of everything, having lost it at the battle of Pigeon Ranche all their baggage and supply trains, provisions, &ct.

The health of the rebel army was not good, and many had died; 140 sick and wounded were left in hospital at Santa Fe.

A large number of merchant trains were passed en route to this city.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday May 3, 1862, p. 4

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