CAMP VALVERDE, N. MEX.,
                                                      February 22, 1862.
    SIR: I have the honor of submitting to you the following report of the battle of Valverde, fought on yesterday by a part of the brigade of General Sibley, under my command:
    While in the act of turning Fort Craig, on the east side of the Rio Grande, Major Pyron, with 200 men, was sent to reconnoiter, early on the morning of the 21st, the route around the mesa, north of the fort, and secure a footing on the river above. While Major Pyron was approaching the river with his command the enemy appeared in considerable numbers between his command and the river on the north of the mesa, and opened on him, about 8 o'clock, a heavy fire of artillery and small-arms. The gallant Pyron, with his brave little force, kept up the unequal contest for an hour or two, until the arrival of Lieutenant-Colonel Scurry with a part of his regiment, and Lieutenant Riley's howitzer battery. Scurry took position on the right of Pyron, and both

kept up the contest and maintained their position behind a low line of sand hills. About this time one section of Captain Teel's battery came up and took position and replied to the fire of the enemy.
    At 12 o'clock, while, under the orders of the general, I was threatening the fort on the south side of the mesa, I received his orders to move up, with all my disposable force, to the support of Lieutenant-Colonel Scurry and Major Pyron, after leaving a sufficient force to protect the train which was then moving from our late camp around the mesa to the battle ground, and which was stretched out for several miles. Our train was threatened by a considerable body of the troops of the enemy, who made their appearance on the mesa. Detaching Lieutenant-Colonel Sutton's command and a detachment from my own regiment to protect the train, I moved up, with as much speed as practicable, with eight companies of my regiment, sending forward Major Lockridge, with the two companies of lancers, under Captains Lang and [Jerome B.] McCown. My companies were placed in the line of battle, between Pyron on the left and Scurry on the right, except three, which were sent by me, under Lieutenant-Colonel [H. C.] McNeill, to drive the enemy from the north point of the mesa, where they were annoying our left and threatening our train.
    After these dispositions I moved up to the line of battle myself, and by the orders of the general took command of the forces present. The enemy during the day, and, with little intermission, kept up a brisk cannonade upon us, to which our 6-pounders, under Captain Teel, replied with effect. The enemy repeatedly advanced with their skirmishers to near our lines, killing many of our horses tied in the rear.
    About 3 p. m. a most galling fire was opened upon Lieutenant-Colonel Scurry's command, on our right, by 300 or 400 of the enemy's riflemen. Captain Lang, of the Fifth Regiment, with about 40 of his lancers, made at this time one of the most gallant and furious charges on these light troops of the enemy ever witnessed in the annals of battles. His little troop was decimated, and the gallant captain and Lieutenant Bass severely wounded--the latter in seven places. The enemy were repulsed by this gallant charge, and our right was for some time unmolested.
    Large bodies of the enemy's infantry having crossed the river about 3.30 p. m., bringing over with them six pieces of splendid artillery, took position in front of us, on the bank of the river, at a distance of 600 yards. In addition to this body of troops two 24-pounder howitzers were placed on our left flank by the enemy. These were supported by a regiment of infantry and a regiment of cavalry. The heaviest fire of the whole day was opened about this time on our left, which was under the command of the gallant Lockridge. Our brave men on that part of the line maintained the unequal fight with desperate courage, though overwhelmingly outnumbered. Lieutenant-Colonel Sutton, now coming up with part of his battalion, took position on our left.
    The enemy, now being on our side of the river, opened upon us a tremendous fire of round shot, grape, and shell. Their force in numbers was vastly superior to ours; but, having the most unbounded confidence in the courage of our troops, I ordered a charge on their battery and infantry of regulars in front, and at the same time Major Raguet, of the Fourth, with four companies of the same, and Captain Ragsdale's company, of the Fifth, were directed by me to charge as cavalry upon the infantry and Mexican cavalry and the two 24-pounder howitzers on our left flank.
    Our dismounted troops in front were composed of parts of the Fourth

and Fifth Regiment Texas Mounted Volunteers and parts of Lieutenant-Colonel Sutton's and most of Pyron's battalions, and Teel's, Riley's, and Wood's batteries of artillery, numbering about 750 on the ground. Major Raguet's cavalry numbered about 250, making about 1,000 men in the charge.
    At the command to charge, our men leaped over the sank bank, which had served as a good covering to them, and dashed over the open plain, thinly interspersed with cottonwood trees, upon the battery and infantry of the enemy in front, composed of United States Regulars and Denver City Volunteers, and in a most desperate charge and hand-to-hand conflict completely overwhelmed them, killing most of their gunners around their cannon and driving the infantry into the river. Never were double-barreled shot-guns and rifles used to better effect. A large number of the enemy were killed in the river with shot-guns and six-shooters in their flight.
    While we were occupied with the enemy in front Major Raguet made a gallant and most timely charge upon the infantry and cavalry of the enemy on our left flank. This charge was made against ten times the number of Raguet's force, and although we suffered severely and were compelled to fall back, he effected the object of his mission, and occupied the attention of our powerful enemy on the left, while our dismounted men were advancing upon those in front and running them into the river.
    So soon as the enemy had fled in disorder from our terrible fire in front we turned upon his infantry and cavalry and 24-pounders on our left flank, just engaged by Major Raguet. We charged them as we had those in front, but they were not made of as good stuff as the regulars, and a few fires upon them with their own artillery and Teel's guns, a few volleys of small-arms, and the old Texas war-shout completely dispersed them. They fled from the field, both cavalry and infantry, in the utmost disorder, many of them dropping their guns to lighten their heels, and stopping only under the walls of the fort. Our victory was complete. The enemy must have been 3,000 strong, while our force actually engaged did not exceed 600. Six splendid pieces of artillery and their entire equipage fell into our hands; also many fine small-arms.
    This splendid victory was not achieved without severe loss to us.
    Major Lockridge, of the Fifth, fell at the mouth of the enemy's guns, gallantly leading our brave troops to the assault.
    Lieutenant-Colonel Sutton, of the Seventh, fell mortally wounded at the head of his battalion while assaulting the enemy's battery.
    Several of our officers were desperately wounded; some of them no doubt mortally. Among them are the gallant Captain Lang, of the Lancers, and Lieutenant Bass, both of Company B, and Lieutenant D. A. Hubbard, of Company A, Fifth Regiment.
    Captain Heuvel, of the Fourth, fell in the gallant cavalry charge of Major Raguet. He was one of the most distinguished of the heroes of the day. Like the gallant Lang, of the Fifth, he could not appreciate odds in a battle.
    I cannot say enough in a praise of the gallantry of our surviving officers and men. It would be invidious to mention names. Were I to do so, the rolls of captains, lieutenants, and men would have to be here inserted. I will only mention the principal field and staff in the engagement. The cheering voice of Lieutenant-Colonel Scurry was heard where the bullets fell thickest on the field. Lieutenant-Colonel McNeill, and the gallant Major Pyron, who has been before mentioned, displayed the most undaunted courage. Major Raguet, of the Fourth, though

wounded, remained at his post, and retired not until the field was won. These were the field officers present, as I have just stated. The captains, lieutenants, and men in the action displayed so much gallantry that it would be invidious to make distinctions. They fought with equal valor and are entitled to equal credit with the field and staff here mentioned.
    I will not close this report without a just meed of praise to the general staff, who served me as aides-de-camp during the day. Colonel W. L. Robards was in the dashing charge of the gallant Lang, and wounded in several places.
    Captain Tom P. Ochiltree, aide-de-camp to General Sibley, was exceedingly useful to me on the field and active during the whole engagement. He assisted me in the most critical moment to cheer our men to the assault. He deserves the highest praise for his undaunted chivalry and coolness, and I recommend him to the general for promotion.
    Captain Dwyer was also very useful, gallant, and active during the whole action.
    I cannot close without the mention of Captain Frazier, of the Arizona Volunteers. To him, more than all others, were are indebted for the successful turning of Fort Craig. He led us over the high ground around the mesa to the east of the fort, where we at all times had the advantage of the enemy in case he had attacked us in the act of turning the fort.
    I will only personalize further by the mention of my own regimental staff.
    Sergt. Major C. B. Sheppard shouldered his gun and fought gallantly in the ranks of Captain McPhaill's company in the charge. Lieutenant Joseph D. Sayers, adjutant of the Fifth, during the whole day, reminded me of a hero of the days of chivalry. He is a gallant, daring, and dashing soldier, and is as cool in a storm of grape, shell, canister, and musketry as a veteran. I recommend him, through the general, to the President for promotion.
    Our killed and wounded are as follows:

    Since which time Lieutenant-Colonel Sutton, of the Seventh, and 2 privates of the Fifth, and 2 of Teel's battery, have died from wounds, received in battle.
    The enemy's loss was far greater than ours. The precise number cannot be ascertained by us, as many were killed in the river, and as the enemy's white flag, asking permission to gather up their dead and wounded, came almost before the sound of the last cannon had ceased to reverberate in the hills. It is confidently asserted and believed by many of our officers and men that the enemy, under the flag of truce, picked up many small-arms and carried them off with the dead-wagons;

that they also carried off their two 24-pounder howitzers which were left by them in the river. It is certain that during the cessation of hostilities they picked up a company flag and guidon of my regiment, left on the field during our charge, while they were gathering up their wounded and dead; and it is said these are considered by them as trophies. I do not believe that the commanding officer of the enemy is aware of these facts, as he would not have spoken of stolen flags as trophies.
    I think, from the best information in my possession, that the enemy's loss must have been in killed and wounded at least 350 or 400. Among their killed were several gallant officers. The gallant McRae fell at his guns. Several other captains and lieutenants were killed. Captain Rossell, of the Tenth U. S. Infantry, and several privates of the Fifth and Tenth Infantry and Denver City Volunteers, were taken prisoners.
    Respectfully submitted.
                                                THOMAS GREEN,
                                Colonel Fifth Regiment Texas Mounted Volunteers.
    Major A. M. JACKSON,
        Assistant Adjutant-General, Army of New Mexico.

Source:

United States. War Dept., United States. Record and Pension Office., United States. War Records Office., et al., "Roanoke," The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Prepared, Under the Direction of the Secretary of War, by Bvt. Lieut. Col. Robert N. Scott, Third U. S. Artillery. Published Pursuant to Acts of Congress Approved June 16, 1880. Series I-Volume IX. Washington: Government Printing Office. 1883, pp. 518-522.

    One final word. You will search in vain among the Official Records of the Civil War for information regarding Major Henry Wynkoop Raguet, Jr., since the folks who originally transcribed the hand-written records mistook the "u" in his last name for an "n," thus spelling his name Ragnet instead.

    I have taken the liberty of restoring his name to him and you will find it properly spelled in all of these records, without comment. He was a gallant gentleman, well liked by his peers and deserves to be better memorialized than he has been.

    Chris