History of California, Volume XXII, Part 37

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe
Publication date: 1885-1890
Publisher: San Francisco, Calif. : The History Company, publishers
Number of Pages: 816

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349

SKIRMISH AT SAN BERNARDO.

cho of San Bernardo, deserted by all but a few Ind- ians, where they found, however, some chickens and cattle. Here they turned to the left, crossing the enemy's trail, and approached the river-bed in search of better feed for their animals; but when they had advanced a mile and reached the foot of a detached hill, the enemy came upon them from the rear. We have no intelligible account of this skirmish of San Bernardo; but it would appear that after an exchange of shots at long range, the Americans, leaving their cattle, marched up the hill; that Pico's men started by a longer course to prevent the success of that movement; that a small party reached the summit on one side before the Americans who were ascend- ing from the other side; but that they promptly re- tired before the rifle-balls of Gibson's volunteers. At any rate, Kearny formed his camp on the hill; while Pico withdrew his force to a position across the creek.22

It was apparent that an attempt to advance would almost certainly result in a loss of the wounded, and of the baggage, if not in further disaster; and it was resolved to remain for a time on the defensive. A small supply of water was obtained by digging, and some of the least emaciated mules were killed for food. Early on the 8th a man arrived from Pieo's camp with a flag of truce, bringing sugar and tea, and a change of clothing sent by a friend for Gillespie, and a prop- osition to exchange four prisoners just captured.

22 Kearny says: 'Reaching S. Bernardo, a party of them took possession of a hill near to it and maintained their position until attacked by our ad- vance, who quickly drove them from it, killing and wounding five of their number (!), with no loss on our part.' Emory says: 'A clond of cavalry de- bouched from the hills in our rear, and a portion of them dashed at full speed to occupy a hill by which we must pass, while the remainder threatened our rear. Thirty or 40 of them got possession of the hill, and it was neces- sary to drive them from it. This was accomplished by a small party of 6 or 8, upon whom the Californians discharged their fire; and strange to say, not one of our men fell. The capture of the hill was then but the work of a mo- ment, and when we reached the crest, the Californians had mounted their horses and were in full flight. . . They had several badly wounded.' Griffin re- marks: 'The enemy again appeared and made another rush to occupy a hill where they could annoy us. They got to the top about the time we got half- way up, when the fight commenced; but after two or three minutes the ras- cals ran, leaving 3 of their spears on the field.'

350 THE FLORES REVOLUTION-FIGHT AT SAN PASCUAL.

There was but one Californian to be exchanged, and with him Emory proceeded to an interview with Pico. It was Godey's party that had been captured near San Bernardo on the return from San Diego, which place they had reached in safety. Burgess was the man cx- changed; the others were sent to Los Angeles. At night Beale, Carson, and an Indian volunteered to go to San Diego, a mission which they performed suc-

eessfully.23 On the 9th Sergeant Cox died from the effects of his wounds, and was buried. On the 10th, as the horses and mules were feeding at the foot of the hill, the Californians made a characteristic attempt to stampede the animals by driving upon them a band of wild horses, some of them with dry sheep-skins tied to their tails. By good luck and active exertion the success of this trick was prevented; and it even proved an advantage, for one or two fat animals were shot for food.

The wounded having improved in condition so that most of them could ride, and there being but little hope that Beale and Carson could reach San Diego and re- turn with reinforcements, Kearny decided to make a new start next day. An order had already been is- sued to destroy all property that could not be trans- ported.24 Before dawn on the 11th, however, reën- forcements made their appearance in the shape of about 200 marines and sailors under Lieutenant Gray, Stockton's aide-de-camp, who had left San Diego on the evening of the 9th on or before the arrival of Beale and Carson. 25 When the sun rose the enemy

23 In Peters' Life of Kit Carson, 290-6, is an account of their adventures on the way, adopted by Lancey, Cruise, 143. Carson's account of the whole S. Pascual campaign as given in Peters' work, p. 278-96, is grossly inaccurate. It is said by this authority and others that Licut Beale from his excitement and exposure became mentally deranged for a time.

24 Dec. 9th, order signed by Capt. Turner, a. a. a. general, in Grifin's Doc., MS., 3.

25 Stockton, Report, 45, tells us that he first heard of Kearny's defeat, with no particulars, from Stokes in the evening of Dec. 6th. Next morning, Dec. 7th, Godey and his companions arrived with a letter from Capt. Turner (given in Lancey's Cruise, 142). Preparations were made to march with all the force that could be spared; and the advance under Lieut Guest was ordered to march to the mission. Preparations seem to have proceeded somewhat slowly; for

351

RELIEF FROM SAN DIEGO.

had disappeared, leaving the cattle at San Bernardo. This sudden disappearance, and the fact that they were seen no more, cannot be entirely accounted for by the aid of any records extant; not even by the supposition of Emory that "our night attack had filled them with the unnecessary fear of being surprised" by the ma- rines and sailors! Pico's force had been increased to about 150 by the arrival of Cota's company; and Ra- mon Carrillo with 50 men, leaving Angeles at 4 P. M. on the 10th, had perhaps arrived before Kearny's de- parture.26 That no attack was made on Kearny's camp is easily understood; the Californians had a par- donable aversion to charging on horseback up a hill to meet cannon-balls and rifle-bullets. They had hoped that Kearny might be kept cut off from communication with Stockton until forced to surrender or to expose himself to renewed attack by resuming his march. The arrival of Gray's company removed all chance of successful attack upon the Americans, if they were prudent enough to march in compact order. But Pico's policy naturally, and in accordance with general orders, would have been to hover about the enemy, seeking opportunities to annoy him, driving off his animals, and otherwise impeding his march. Yet, upon learning Gray's approach, he simply withdrew, reporting to Flores that Kearny had received reën- forcements and marched for San Diego, he being un- able to prevent it for want of horses! And Flores thereupon ordered him to leave his own and Carrillo's men to act as scouts in the south, and with Cota's

before the advance started an Indian arrived (night of the Sth or morning of the 9th) with reports indicating that Kearny's need of assistance was more urgent than had been supposed. Therefore it was decided to send only a part of the force for rapid movement. At 10 P. M. (of the 9th) Beale arrived and confirmed the worst reports; and Lieut Gray with 215 men was sent to Kear- ny's relief. Emory makes Gray's force '100 tars and 80 marines.' Griffin says there were 120 marines and SO sailors.

26 Dec. 10th, Flores to Pico, in reply to letter of the 8th. Has been delayed for want of horses; but sends Carrillo, and will follow himself to-morrow. Pico must not relax the siege. Nothing is to be feared from S. Diego; for the captured despatch of Stockton, a translation of which is enclosed, says it is impossible to send aid. Pico, Doc., MS., ii. 115.

332 THE FLORES REVOLUTION-FIGIIT AT SAN PASCUAL

company to march to Los Angeles-an order which Don Andrés obeyed before it was received, and more than obeyed, since he retired with two companies, leaving but one. This was not a brilliant ending for the campaign; and it is not unlikely that the disaffec- tion accompanying the late revolt against the governor had much to do with it.27

At 10 A. M., December 11th, Kearny's army marched from the hill camp of San Bernardo, and proceeded unmolested down the valley. The camp for the night was Alvarado's rancho of Peñasquitos, where, and at other points along the way, they found considerable quantities of cattle, sheep, and poultry, all confiscated as belonging to enemies. At about 4 P. M. on the 12th, they marched into San Diego, where they were hos- pitably received by Stockton and by the inhabitants. 29

27 Dec. 13th, Flores to Pico, on receipt of his report of the 11th. The want of horses has been a serious drawback all along. Owners keep them hidden, but it is noticeable that they are readily enough found for the enemy. It is reported that more U. S. troops are coming from New Mexico, and scouts have been sent to the Colorado. Pico is to recruit his horses in the Sta Ana region. Cota and Hermosillo with their men and the captured gun will come to the city. Pico, Doc., MS., ii. 119-23. It seems that Pico left San Luis Rey and went to Sta Ana with his force before receiving Flores' order, leav- ing Cota's company in the south. Cota on the 14th asked to be relieved; and Flores on the 17th, in reply, complained bitterly of Pico's disobedience, and of the general indifference and insubordination of officers and men. The order to Pico has been repeated, and if disobeyed Cota may ahandon the south. If the Californians do not care to defend their country, he will not be responsible. Id., 127-9; Olrera, Doc., MS., 60-3.

28 I have described the S. Pascual campaign from information derived from all existing sources, the original authorities having been eited on previous pages, notably in notes 11 and 18. I add the following items, which could not conveniently be introduced in my text. Emory says: 'We subsequently received authentic accounts that Pico's number was 180 men engaged in the tight, and that 100 additional men were sent him Som the pueblo, who reached his camp on the 7th'! Griffin affirms that Burgess reported Stockton to have refused to send reinforcements, and ou this account Kearny wished to move at onee; but the navy officers pledged themselves very strongly that the com- modore would send relief. It should be noted that Kearny's report and Emory's notes are accompanied by a plan of the battle, which has been sev- eral times reprinted in other works. Items from Hayes' Miscellany, and Id., Emig. Notes; some of them also published in Los Angeles Hist .: Capt. Moore was killed by Leandro Osuna. Gillespie was lanced and unhorsed by Fran- cisco Higuera, or 'El Guero.' Gabriel Garcia killed the man in charge of the howitzer. Juan Lobo and J. B. Moreno were conspicuous in the fight. Philip Crossthwaite saved the life of Vejar, the prisoner whom one of the Delaware Indians (?) was about to kill. José Ant. Serrano claims to have left the field while the fight was raging, and to have found Pico, Cota, and Tomito Sanchez safely out of danger on Soto Hill! Foster, Angeles in 1847,

353

FALSE REPORTS.

It is difficult to regard the affair of San Pascual otherwise than as a stupid blunder on the part of Kearny, or to resist the conclusion that the official report of the so-called 'victory' was a deliberate mis- representation of facts. True, the Americans remained in possession of the battle-field; but this fact by no

MS., 8-10, relates what others confirm, that Higuera would have killed Gil- lespie if he had not been in so much of a hurry to get away with his fine saddle and bridle. He later offered to return the articles, but Gillespie de- clined to receive them, as their loss had saved his life. Wm H. Dunne, Notes on S. Pascual, MS., remarks that Stokes was in the fight and died soon after from friglit and exposure on the way to S. Diego; the officers were full of wine during the fight; the men regarded the fight as a stupid and criminal affair on the officers' part; Emory showed great gallantry on the taking of Mule Hill; Kit Carson was thrown from his horse and had his rifle broken. In the Alta, Nov. 14, 1868, Gillespie refutes with much indignation the state- inent of 'C. E. P.' (Chas E. Pickett), in the same paper, that the Americans were under the influence of wine. Emory in a letter of March 15, 1847, to the N. Y. Courier and Enquirer, tries to refute the insinnation in the Monterey Californian, Jan. 28, 1847, that discredit was thrown on the American arms by the action of S. Pascual. Niles' Reg., Ixxiii. 205. Jan. 22, 1847, Larkin briefly describes the battle in a letter to Vallejo. Vallejo, Doc., MS., i. 22.

The campaign of S. Pascual has been frequently described at second- hand in books and newspapers. Brackett, Hist. U. S. Cavalry, 71-6, gives a very good general account. Phelps, Fore and Aft, 314-15, talked with Pico a few weeks after the battle, and was told that he had not intended to risk a fight; but that on seeing the disorder of Kearny's men he could not re- sist the temptation. Pico also told Botello, Anales del Sur, MS., 154-6, that his charge was a pure accident. Bowen, Statement on S. Pascual, MS .. says : 'They proved to be about 400, and they killed all of us but 32 or 33. We were all wounded more or less.' Streeter, Recoll., MS., 95-9, gives a narra- tive derived from the statement of David Streeter, his cousin and one of the wounded dragoons. John A. Swan, in S. José Pioneer, April 27, 1878, names Henry Booker as the man in charge of the howitzer. He was perhaps the man who had brought news of the Bear Flag revolt to Monterey, in June. Bidwell, Cal. in 1841-8, MS., 199-204, who was at S. Diego at the time, adds nothing to the general accounts. In the life of Stockton, p. 135, it is declared that the disaster was much more serious than represented in Kearny's report. An account credited to A. A. Hecox, in the Sta Cruz Times, Aug. 27, 1876, is perhaps as inaccurate as any extant; unless indeed it be excelled in that respect by that of Wm H. Davis, Glimpses of the Past, MS., 361-5, a writer who on many points is one of the most careful and accu- rate of all who have recorded their recollections. Lancey, Cruise, 138-47, gives a complete account from the official reports and journals, but he intersperses fragments from unreliable sources. He speaks of Juan Andado (?), who lost a leg carried away by a 6-1b. ball. Lieut Rhusou (Rheusaw?) and Sergt Jones, of the battalion, distinguished themselves at S. Bernardo. Gillespie in the Alta, July 3, 1866, followed by Lancey, says the 'Sutter' gun was kept back with the baggage, against his protest; that a howitzer was fired by him, holding the foe in check until the field-piece was brought up and drove them back; and that at S. Bernardo the gun killed several of the enemy. It is, however, pretty certain that no cannon was fired at S. Pascual; and there is no evidence beyond this statement of Gillespie that any was fired at San Ber- nardo. An account in the Chihuahua Farol, Ang. 10, 1846, and the Sonorense of Aug. 20th, has it that Kearny was killed and that his men shamefully capitulated !

HIST. CAL., VOL. V. 23

354 THE FLORES REVOLUTION-FIGHT AT SAN PASCUAL.

means sufficed to make of defeat a victory, since the enemy uninjured was free to occupy any one of a dozen equally defensible positions on the way to San Diego. There was no reason for the attack on Pico's forces; and even a bloodless triumph could have done the enemy's cause but slight harm. Entering California with but a small part of his original force, after a long and tedious march, men and animals exhausted, Kearny finds the country in revolt. Instead of joining Stock- ton, which he might have done without risk or oppo- sition, and proceeding as commander-in-chief to devise means for completing the conquest, he attempts a night attack upon an unknown force of mounted Californians, knowing that the alarm had been given, and that sur- prise was impossible. Coming in sight of the enemy, he orders a charge, and permits a part of his men, be- numbed with cold, their fire-arms wet and useless, their sabres rusted fast in the scabbards, mounted on stupid worn-out mules and half-broken horses, to rush in confusion upon the Californian lances, presenting a temptation to slaughter which the enemy-even if they are as cowardly as their assailants believe-cannot re- sist. Individually, the Americans fight most bravely : nothing more can be said in praise. Many lives are recklessly and uselessly sacrificed. An irresponsible guerrillero chief would be disgraced by such an attack on Indians armed with bows and arrows; but Kearny was a brigadier-general commanding regular troops of the United States. Success would have brought him no glory; defeat should have brought him dis- grace. It does not appear that any of his officers op- posed the general's plans. It has been said that all were under the influence of wine; fortunately-for the reputation of California wine, fiery liquid though it may have been in its primitive stages of development --- this theory is but slightly supported by the evidence. Stockton suggested the attack; but we may charitably suppose that he did not realize the condition of Kear- ny's force; and he certainly is to no extent responsible

355

AFFAIRS AT LOS ANGELES AND SAN DIEGO.

for the criminally blundering manner in which his suggestion was followed. It is noticeable that Stock- ton was slow to respond to Kearny's appeal for aid after the disaster; even refusing at first to send reën- foreements, if we may credit the statement of Bur- gess, and the letter which fell into Pico's hands. Too little is known, however, on this point to make it the ground of unfavorable criticism.

Of Governor Flores' operations, and those of his subordinates in and about the capital, after the San Pascual campaign and until the end of December, there is nothing to be said, except that those operations consisted of rather feeble preparations to resist the in- vader, not without certain petty biekerings and jeal- ousies among the officers. The Californian cause had decidedly lost strength during the past few weeks. The effect of military success at Angeles, Chino, San Pedro, Natividad, and San Paseual had been more than neutralized by internal feuds and jealousies show- ing the weakness of the new government. It was wellnigh impossible to obtain supplies. The rancheros concealed their horses to prevent their seizure. There was no powder except the poor stuff made at San Ga- briel. The Americans were reported to be advancing from the north and east, as well as preparing for an attaek from the south. Men of the better class were convinced by reflection that there was no hope of sue- cessful resistance; and not a few were already devis- ing sehemes for securing pardon and protection from the foe when the collapse should come. At the end of the year it was the general opinion, sustained by the acts of the military chiefs, that the first conflict was to be with Frémont rather than with Stockton.

At San Diego Kearny's arrival with his wounded dragoons and worn-out animals did not hasten but rather retarded preparations for beginning the eam- paign. The wounds healed favorably, except those of Streeter, sixteen in number, and of Kennedy, who

356

THE FLORES REVOLUTION-FIGHT AT SAN PASCUAL.

had five in the brain, and died. Captain Hensley re- turned from his raid across the frontier and brought a large number of cattle and horses, the latter in poor condition. Vegetables and bread were scarce; and the men were reduced to short rations of everything but fresh meat. Major Swords was sent to Honolulu on a trading vessel chartered for the trip in quest of supplies. The Portsmouth and Cyane arrived to join the Congress. The men were constantly drilled for land evolutions; and the marines and sailors are said to have executed on their broncos several movements not laid down in any authority on cavalry tactics. Relations between the general and commodore were ostensibly amicable. Meanwhile small parties of Cal- ifornians came in from day to day, including some even of those who had been at San Pascual, to give themselves up, and receive assurances of protection. They brought all kinds of rumors about the where- abouts and plans of Flores and of Frémont. The only news at the same time exciting and true was that of the killing of ten gente de razon at the Pauma rancho by Indians. On December 29th all was at last ready, and the Americans, 600 strong, with Kearny in com- mand of the troops under Stockton as commander-in- chief, started on the march to Los Angeles. More will be said of this army in the next chapter, when I come to speak of its achievements. Progress was slow and uneventful. The first camp was at Soledad ; the second at Penasquitos; and on the last day of 1846 they encamped near San Bernardo, where Kearny's men had been besieged so recently.29

29 Griffin's Journal, MS., 33-44; and Id., in Hayes' Emig. Notes, 379, is the chief source of information on the last days of the stay at S. Diego. See also Emory's Notes, 113-16; Stockton's Report, 45-6; Swords' report in 30th Cong. 2d Sess., H. Ex. Doc. 1, p. 226-7; Hayes' Miscel., 27-9; Davis' Glimpses, MS., 368-70; Bidwell's Cal. 1841-8, MS., 204. Some matters connected with the relations between Stockton and Kearny may be noticed more conveniently else- where. In the Los Angeles Hist., 33, it is related that Juan Baudini and his family came up from Baja California with Hensley; and that on the way his daughters made an elegant U. S. flag for the troops-the first ever made in California- for which the young ladies were serenaded, and thanked by the commodore in persou.

CHAPTER XIV.

AFFAIRS IN THE NORTH-NATIVIDAD AND SANTA CLARA.

NOVEMBER, 1846-JANUARY, 1847.

FRÉMONT'S CALIFORNIA BATTALION-OFFICIAL PLUNDER OF THE RANCHEROS -SUCCESSFUL RECRUITING-INDIAN ALLIES-ORGANIZATION AND LIST OF OFFICERS-MANUEL CASTRO AND OTHER OFFICERS BREAK PAROLES AND JOIN FLORES-FROM SAN LUIS TO THE SALINAS-BURROUGHS AND THOMPSON AT SAN JUAN-CAPTURE OF LARKIN-AMERICANS AT LOS VERJELES-APPROACH OF THE CALIFORNIANS-FIGHT AT ENCINALITO- FOSTER KILLED-BATTLE OF NATIVIDAD-DEATH OF BURROUGHS- LOSSES CASTRO'S RETREAT-MARCH OF FREMONT'S BATTALION FROM SAN JUAN TO SANTA BARBARA-CONDEMNATION AND PARDON OF JESUS PICO-DISASTROUS CROSSING OF THE CUESTA DE SANTA INÉS-MORE FORCED CONTRIBUTIONS-SANCHEZ'S REVOLT-ALARM AT THE PUEBLO- MARSTON'S EXPEDITION-CAMPAIGN OF SANTA CLARA-END OF WAR IN NORTH-LOSS OF THE ' WARREN'S' LAUNCH-WRECK OR MURDER.

IT has been recorded that Frémont, with about 160 men of the battalion, sailed for the south in the Ster- ling to cooperate with Stockton against the southern Californians, but having met the Vandalia, and learned not only of Mervine's disaster, but that no horses could be obtained at Santa Bárbara or San Pedro, he resolved to return for reinforcements and animals, and to advance on Los Angeles from the north by land. The vessel was becalmed on approaching Monterey; but a few officers were sent ashore October 24th, and on the 28th Fremont and his men landed from the Sterling. I append a few items of chronologic hap- penings at Monterey in these days, as an aid to the reader in following the subsequent record.1

1 From Colton's Three Years; Monterey Californian; and Bryant's What I Saw; repeated by Lancey and many other writers. Oct. 24th, boat from the Sterling. Oct. 27th, Malek Adhel, a prize brig taken by the Warren at Maza-

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358

NATIVIDAD AND SANTA CLARA.

Officers were at once despatched in all directions by Lieutenant-colonel Frémont, for he found this new com- mission awaiting him at Monterey, with orders to en- list recruits for the battalion, and above all to obtain the largest possible number of horses in the shortest possible time. How they were obtained did not much matter, for the necessity was urgent. Receipts were given, to be settled by the government after the end of the war; friends of the cause were treated with some courteous formalities, if they turned over their animals without delay; while the lukewarm or hostile were plundered without ceremony of all their property that could be utilized. The commander cannot be blamed for the proceeding; but doubtless much bitter feeling was provoked, and justly, by the arbitrary methods employed by most of his agents.2 The United tlan, arrived under Lieut W. B. Renshaw. Oct. 28th, the Sterling arrived with Fremont. Capt. Maddox had gone to S. Juan with 30 men. Oct. 29th, Maddox returned with a brass field-piece. Large number of Californians reported in the hills, perhaps intending to attack Monterey. Oct. 30th, a man guarding Frémont's horses shot by two Californians. Oct. 31st, enlist- ments actively going on among newly arrived immigrants, by efforts of Mont- gomery in the north. Nov. 5th, second rain of season. Nov. 9th, Talbot and his men from Sta Barbara arrived. Nov. 12th, Grigsby arrived from So- noma with 30 men and 60 horses. Hastings expected from S. José with 60 men and 120 horses. Nov. 14th, the Savannah arrived with news from S. Diego. Nov. 16th, Delaware scout arrived with news of a fight between Americans and Californians; also capture of Larkin. Nov. 17th, Fremont with his 300 men left Monterey for S. Juan. Nov. 27th, prize brig Julia, Lieut Selden, arrived from S. Francisco with news that a force had been sent to protect S. José. Dec. Ist, seven prisoners escaped from jail. Dec. 2d-Sth, etc., county deemed uusafe out of town. Dec. 17th, the Julia sailed for south. Dec. 22d, news of Bartlett's capture at S. F .; forces sent to S. José. Dec. 30th, the Dale arrived with a large mail.

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History of California, Volume XXII, Part 37

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe Publication date: 1885-1890 Publisher: San Francisco, Calif. : The History Company, publishers Number of Pages: 816

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe
Publication date: 1885-1890
Publisher: San Francisco, Calif. : The History Company, publishers
Number of Pages: 816