Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 18.djvu/318

 318 Southern Historical Society Papers.

eagle and coat-of-arms of the State of Mississippi appear. On the north side a Confederate flag and cannon are to be seen. On the east side belts and crossed sabres appear, and on the south side rifles with shield, inscribed " Mississippi Volunteers." From the plinth rises the spire, three feet seven inches square at the bottom, and tapering to the top. The shaft proper is thirty feet high. A statue of a Confederate soldier surmounts the entire structure. With musket in hand he is represented as standing in the position of parade rest. The figure is six feet ten inches high, chiseled by Mr. Whitehead out of rough white marble, and is quite natural looking and lifelike. The height of the monument is sixty feet four inches.

Operations on the Rio Grande, February 21, 1862.

REPORT OF LIEUTENANT-COLONEL W. R. SCURRY, COMMANDING FOURTH REGIMENT TEXAS MOUNTED VOLUNTEERS.

VAL VERDE, NEW MEXICO, February 22, 1862.

H. M. JACKSON,

A. A. G. Army New Mexico :

MAJOR : Early on the morning of yesterday, while the army was encamped on the east side of the Rio Grande, opposite Fort Craig, I received orders to march with my command (Fourth regiment T. M. V.) and take possession at as early an hour as practicable of some point on the river above Fort Craig, at which water might be obtained. By 8 o'clock the reigiment took up the line of march, accompanied by Captain George Frazier, of Major Pyron's battallion, with his company acting as guide for the command. Supposing that we were the advance of the army, to prevent surprise I ordered Major Raguet to take the advance with four companies (and Cap- tain Frazier's company), throwing out at the same time front and flank patrols. In a short time I learned that Major Pyron, with one hundred and eighty men, was in our advance. Aware of the great vigilance of that active officer, I recalled Major Raguet and reunited the regiment. A report was received from Major Pyron that the road was clear of the enemy and the river in sight. But in a short