Banquete, March 15/16 1864.

COLONEL:   

I have the honor to report that on Sunday last, 13th instant, at about 7.30 a.m., in, at or near a place known as Los Patricios, about 50 miles southwest from -- point, I succeeded in coming up with a body of the enemy’s cavalry posted in a dense mesquital, attacked them at once, and, after a well-contested fight of some fifteen minutes duration, dispersed and routed them completely. Owing to his position in the mesquital, the exact number of the enemy could not be ascertained, but from appearances I believe that there were at least 125 men, completely armed with Burnside carbines, revolvers, and sabers, while my force, composed of detachments from Wares, Caters, Taylors, Scotts, Richardsons, and T~tes companies, numbered only 62, many of whom were most indifferently armed. The enemy was commanded by Cecilio Balerio and his son Juan Balerio in person, who, at the head of 80 men, charged and fought us most gallantly, and could only be repulsed after a desperate fight and at the cost of much blood and property.
 
The casualties are as follows: Captain Caters company, Third
* Killed in action.
~Afterward killed at Jenkins Ferry
Sergt. W. L. Patterson, killed; Captain Taylors company, Private Henry Tugle, killed, Private Michael McMahon, mortally wounded; Captain Scotts company, Private James Powers, slightly wounded; in Captain Taylors company 2 horses killed and 5 wounded; in Captain Tates company 1 horse killed. There was captured and taken from the enemy:  31 horses, 42 saddles and bridles, 25 sabers, 107 blankets, 6 Colt revolvers, 5 Burnside carbines, and some camp and garrison equipage.

Among some papers found was a letter to Balerio, signed with initials only, dated Camargo, March 2, 1864, and informing him that his recruits have gone forward, and that the forces under Col. John L. Haynes have left the Rio Grande and are on the march to relieve and re-enforce the said Balerio. As a sufficient time had elapsed to enable said forces to have reached or be within striking distance of Balerio, considering the smallness of my force, the condition of my wounded (being without medical aid and without transportation), the impracticability of pursuit owing to the density and extent of the mesquital, and the distance from my support, I deemed it prudent and necessary to destroy such of said property as was not required and fit for use by the men on the spot, to replace either their lost, killed, or unserviceable horses, arms, or equipments, and thereupon returned to camp on the San Fernando. The loss of the enemy must have been severe. Five dead bodies were found in the mesquital, but from the trails seen, showing that men had been dragged off when wounded, and pools of blood discovered, it is almost certain that at least 12 or 15 were killed or wounded. A large number of their horses were left on the ground either killed or wounded.  Captain Ware, of Colonel Buchels regiment, Captains Cater, Taylor, and Richardson commanded detachments from their respective companies, and acted with conspicuous gallantry. The men behaved coolly and bravely.  As soon as the reports of the various commanders are received I will forward a full and detailed account.
 A report, apparently well authenticated, has just reached me that the Yankees from Mustang Island landed at the mouth of the Oso yesterday (Monday) evening, and were engaged in getting some 100 bales of cotton heretofore secreted in that vicinity. They had caught and again made prisoner of William S. Gregory.  I go in a few moments with 70 picked men to find and, if possible, capture them and their booty. As soon as something definite occurs I will inform
you by express.

As I before wrote you, a section of a light battery with proper ammunition could render me most important service. I would urge upon you to hurry it forward; also, surgical instruments and medicines.

As you will perceive by the intercepted letter, the Yankee land
forces in this vicinity have been or will be increased, and I am too weak to attempt to accomplish much against such superior numbers. For this reason I must again urge you to send re-enforcements.

I have the honor to be, Colonel, very respectfully,
your obedient servant,

MAT. NOLAN,
Major, Provisional Army, C. S., Commanding

Col. JOHN S. FORD,
Commndg. Expeditionary Forces, P. A., C. S., San Antonio

Return to Home Page

This site maintained by John Reagan