USA > California > The conquest of California and New Mexico, by the forces of the United States, in the years 1846 & 1847 > Part 17
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As the day (December 6) dawned, we approached the enemy at San Pasqual, who was already in the saddle, when Capt. Johnston made a furious charge upon them with his advance guard, and was in a short time after supported by the dragoons ; soon after which the enemy gave way, having kept up from the beginning a continued fire upon us. Upon the retreat of the enemy, Capt. Moore led off rapidly in pursuit, accompanied by the dragoons,
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BATTLE OF SAN PASQUAL.
mounted on horses, and was followed, though slowly, by the others on their tired mules ; the enemy, well mounted, and among the best horsemen in the world, after retreating about half a mile, and seeing an interval between Capt. Moore with his advance, and the dragoons coming to his support, rallied their whole force, charged with their lances, and, on account of their greatly superior num- bers, but few of us in front remained untouched ; for five minutes they held the ground from us, when our men coming up, we again drove them, and they fled from the field, not to return to it, which we occupied and encamped upon.
A most melancholy duty now remains for me : it is to report the death of my aid-de-camp, Capt. Johnston, who was shot dead at the commencement of the action ; of Capt. Moore, who was lanced just previous to the final retreat of the enemy ; and of Lieut. Ham- mond, also lanced, and who survived but a few hours. We had also killed two sergeants, two corporals, and ten privates of the First Dragoons ; one private of the volunteers, and one man, an engagé in the topographical department. Among the wounded are myself, (in two places,) Lieut. Warner, Topographical Engi- neers, (in three places,) Capts. Gillespie and Gibson of the volun- teers, (the former in three places,) one sergeant, one bugleman, and nine privates of the dragoons ; many of these surviving from two to ten lance wounds, most of them when unhorsed and incapable of resistance.
Our howitzers were not brought into the action ; but coming to the front at the close of it, before they were turned, so as to admit of being fired upon the retreating enemy, the two mules before one of them got alarmed, and freeing themselves from their drivers, ran off, and among the enemy, and was thus lost to us.
The enemy proved to be a party of 160 Californians under An- dreas Pico, brother of the late governor; the number of their dead and wounded must have been considerable, though I have no means of ascertaining how many, as just previous to their final retreat, they carried off all excepting six.
The great number of our killed and wounded proves that our officers and men have fully sustained the high character and repu-
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BATTLE OF SAN PASQUAL.
tation of our troops ; and the victory thus gained over more than double our force, may assist in forming the wreath of our national glory.
I have to return my thanks to many for their gallantry and good conduct on the field, and particularly to Capt. Turner, First Dra- goons, (assistant acting adjutant-general,) and to Lieut. Emory, Topographical Engineers, who were active in the performance of their duties, and in conveying orders from me to the command.
On the morning of the 7th, having made ambulances for our wounded, and interred the dead, we proceeded on our march, when the enemy showed himself, occupying the hills in our front, but which they left as we approached ; till, reaching San Bernado, a party of them took possession of a hill near to it, and maintained their position until attacked by our advance, who quickly drove them from it, killing and wounding five of their number, with no loss on our part.
On account of our wounded men, and upon the report of the surgeon that rest was necessary for them, we remained at this place till the morning of the 11th, when Lieut. Gray, of the Navy, in command of a party of sailors and marines, sent out from San Diego by Com. Stockton, joined us. We proceeded at 10, A. M., the enemy no longer showing himself; and on the 12th, (yester- day,) we reached this place ; and I have now to offer my thanks to Com. Stockton, and all of his gallant command, for the very many kind attentions we have received and continue to receive from them.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. W. KEARNY, Brig. Gen. U. S. A.
Brigadier-general R. JONES,
Adjutant-general U. S. A., Washington.
HEAD-QUARTERS ARMY OF THE WEST,
Ciudad de los Angeles, Upper California, Jan. 12, 1847.
SIR : I have the honour to report that, at the request of Com. R. F. Stockton, United States Navy, (who in September last assumed the title of governor of California,) I consented to take command of an expedition to this place, (the capital of the country,) and that,
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BATTLE OF SAN GABRIEL.
on the 29th December, I left San Diego with about 500 men, con- sisting of sixty dismounted dragoons under Capt. Turner, fifty California volunteers, and the remainder of marines and sailors, with a battery of artillery-Lieut. Emory (Topographical Engi- neers) acting as assistant adjutant-general. Com. Stockton accom- panied us.
We proceeded on our route without seeing the enemy, till on the 8th instant, when they showed themselves in full force of 600 mounted men, with four pieces of artillery, under their governor, (Flores,) occupying the heights in front of us, which commanded the crossing of the river San Gabriel, and they ready to oppose our further progress. The necessary disposition of our troops was immediately made, by covering our front with a strong party of skirmishers, placing our wagons and baggage train in rear of them, and protecting the flanks and rear with the remainder of the com- mand. We then proceeded, forded the river, carried the heights, and drove the enemy from them, after an action of about an hour and a half, during which they made a charge upon our left flank, which was repulsed ; soon after which they retreated and left us in possession of the field, on which we encamped that night.
The next day (the 9th instant) we proceeded on our march at the usual hour, the enemy in our front and on our flanks : and when we reached the plains of the Mesa, their artillery again opened upon us, when their fire was returned by our guns as we advanced ; and after hovering around and near us for about two hours, occasionally skirmishing with us during that time, they concentrated their force and made another charge on our left flank, which was quickly repulsed ; shortly after which they retired, we continuing our march, and we (in the afternoon) encamped on the banks of the Mesa, three miles below this city, which we entered the following morning (the 10th instant) without further molest- ation.
Our loss in the actions of the 8th and 9th was small, being but one private killed, and two officers, Lieut. Rowan of the navy, and Capt. Gillespie, of the Volunteers, and eleven privates wounded. The enemy, mounted on fine horses, and being the
PASSAGE OF THE RIO SAN GABRIEL.
REFERENCES.
A .- American two 9-pounders. B .- American four small pieces. C, C .- Columns.
D, D .- Mexican cavalry, from positions E, E, charging the American advance.
F .- Mexican Artillery.
G .- Mexican cavalry reserved ..
H .- Position where the Mexicans camped, after their repulse (1) during the night, retreated in direction I.
J .- Position where the Americans camped after the battle. K .- Ford.
L .- Direction of American advance.
NOTE. From bank A to bank F (American and Mexican batteries) 900 yards -- the latter bank, at battery, sharp and 40 feet high.
MEXICAN ADVANCE RIO SAN GABRIEL.
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WAPLA IN
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LISTS OF KILLED AND WOUNDED.
best riders in the world, carried off their killed and wounded, and we know not the number of them, though it must have been con- siderable.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Brigadier-general R. JONES,
S. W. KEARNY, Brigadier-general.
Adjutant-general, U. S. A., Washington.
Statement of killed and wounded in the action of the 8th January, 1847.
Killed .- Frederick Strauss, seaman, United States ship Ports- mouth, artillery corps ; cannon-shot in neck.
Wounded .- 1st. Jacob Hait, volunteer, artillery driver, wound in left breast ; died on evening of 9th. 2d. Thos. Smith, ordi- nary seaman, United States ship Cyane, company D, musketeers, shot, by accident, through the right thigh ; died on night of the 8th. 3d. William Cope, seaman, United States ship Savannah, company B, musketeers, wound in the right thigh and right arm; severe. 4th. George Bantum, ordinary seaman, United States ship Cyane, pikeman, punctured wound of hand, accidental ; slight. 5th. Patrick Cambell, seaman, United States ship Cyane, company D, musketeers, wound in thigh by spent ball ; slight. 6th. William Scott, private, United States marine corps, ship Portsmouth, wound in the chest, spent ball ; slight. 7th. James Hendry, seaman, United States ship Congress, company A, mus- keteers, spent ball, wound over stomach ; slight. 8th. Joseph Wilson, seaman, United States ship Congress, company A, mus- keteers, wound in right thigh, spent ball ; slight. 9th. Ivory Coffin, seaman, United States ship Savannah, company B, mus- keteers, contusion of right knee, spent ball ; slight.
Wounded on the 9th .- 1st. Mark A. Child, private, company C, First Regiment United States Dragoons, gunshot wound in right heel, penetrating upwards into the ankle-joint; severe. 2d. James Cambell, ordinary seaman, United States ship Congress, company D, carbineers, wound in right foot, second toe ampu- tated ; accidental discharge of his own carbine. 3d. George
S
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COL. FREMONT- REPORTS TO GEN. KEARNY.
Crawford, boatswain's mate, United States ship Cyane, company D, musketeers, wound in left thigh ; severe. Lieut. Rowan, United States navy, and Capt. Gillespie, California battalion, volunteers, contused slightly by spent balls.
I am, sir, most respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN S. GRIFFIN,
Capt. WM. H. EMORY, Assistant Surgeon, U. S. N. Assistant Adjutant-general, U. S. forces.
CIUDAD DE LOS ANGELES, California, Jan. 11, 1847.
HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF THE WEST, Ciudad de los Angeles, Upper California, January 14, 1847.
SIR: This morning, Lieutenant-colonel Fremont, of the regi- ment of mounted riflemen, reached here with 400 volunteers from the Sacramento ; the enemy capitulated with him yesterday, near San Fernando, agreeing to lay down their arms, and we have now the prospect of having peace and quietness in this country, which I hope may not be interrupted again.
I have not yet received any information of the troops which were to come from New York, nor of those to follow me from New Mexico, but presume they will be here before long. On their arrival, I shall, agreeably to the instructions of the President of the United States, have the management of affairs in this coun- try, and will endeavour to carry out his views in relation to it.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. W. KEARNY, Brigadier-general.
Brigadier-general R. JONES,
Adjutant-general, U. S. A., Washington.
It will be seen that Col. Fremont reported his command, as above, to Gen. Kearny. It was a few days afterwards, that un- happy difficulties arose between the parties in high command as to their relative powers. These ended in Gen. Kearny's proceed- ing to San Diego, and from thence, by water, to Monterey, where, as will be seen by the joint "Circular," given in another chapter, Gen. Kearny was assigned, on the 1st of March, 1847, under authority of the President, "the direction of the operations on
T
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LOS ANGELES
3
G
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S.
L
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PLAN OF THE BATTLE OF LOS ANGELES,
REFERENCES.
A .- Direction of American ad- vance.
B .- American position in battle. 200 wagons and cattle. C, C .- Mexican charge. D .- Mexican second position previous to charging. E .- American camp after battle. F .- march to the town. G .- First position of the Mexi- cans. H .- Depressions in the plains.
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RIO DE LOS ANGELES
٩
209
GOV. KEARNY'S PROCLAMATION.
land," and invested " with administrative functions of government over the people and territory occupied by the forces of the United States."
, At San Diego, Lieutenant-colonel Cooke joined Gen. Kearny with the Mormon Battalion, which he had brought in-with arms bright, fine health, excellent discipline, and without any serious loss from their long and weary march, and was posted at the mission of San Luis Rey to check any reinforcements to the Cali- fornians from the State of Sonora.
The following is Gen. Kearny's proclamation on assuming the civil government of California. Its re-translation from the Spanish may involve some inaccuracies, however substantially accurate the copy may otherwise be.
Proclamation to the People of California.
The President of the United States having devolved upon the undersigned the civil government of California, he enters upon the discharge of his duties with an ardent desire to promote as far as is possible the interests of the country and well being of the inha- bitants.
The undersigned is instructed by the President to respect and protect the religious institutions of California, to take care that the religious rights of its inhabitants are secured in the most ample manner, since the Constitution of the United States allows to every individual the privilege of worshipping his Creator in whatever manner his conscience may dictate.
The undersigned is also instructed to protect the persons and property of the quiet and peaceable inhabitants of the country against each and every enemy, whether foreign or domestic ; and now assuring the Californians that his inclinations, no less than his duty, demand the fulfilment of these instructions, he invites them to use their best efforts to preserve order and tranquillity, to promote harmony and concord, and to maintain the authority and efficacy of the laws.
It is the desire and intention of the United States to procure for California as speedily as possible a free government like that of
14
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GOV. KEARNY'S PROCLAMATION.
their own territories, and they will very soon invite the inhabitants to exercise the rights of free citizens in the choice of their own representatives, who may enact such laws as they deem best adapted to their interest and well-being. But until this takes place, the laws actually in existence, which are not repugnant to the Constitution of the United States, will continue in force until they are revoked by competent authority ; and persons in the ex- ercise of public employments will for the present remain in them, provided they swear to maintain the said constitution, and faith- fully discharge their duties.
The undersigned by these presents absolves all the inhabitants of California of any further allegiance to the Republic of Mexico, and regards them as citizens of the United States. Those who remain quiet and peaceable will be respected and protected in their rights ; but should any one take up arms against the government of this territory, or join such as do so, or instigate others to do so-all these he will regard as enemies, and they will be treated as such.
When Mexico involved the United States in war, the latter had not time to invite the Californians to join their standard as friends, but found themselves compelled to take possession of the country to prevent its falling into the hands of some European power. In doing this, there is no doubt that some excesses, some unauthorized acts, were committed by persons in the service of the United States, and that in consequence some of the inhabitants have sustained losses in their property. These losses shall be duly investigated, and those who are entitled to indemnification shall receive it.
For many years California has suffered great domestic convul- sions ; 'from civil wars, like poisoned fountains, have flowed calamity and pestilence over this beautiful region. These fountains are now dried up; the stars and stripes now float over California, and as long as the sun shall shed its light, they will continue to wave over her, and over the natives of the country, and over those who shall seek a domicile in her bosom ; and under the protection of this flag, agriculture must advance, and the arts and sciences will flourish like seed in rich and fertile soil.
Americans and Californians! from henceforth one people. Let
211
SUMMARY OF EVENTS.
us then indulge one desire, one hope; let that be for the peace and tranquillity of our country. Let us unite like brothers, and mutually strive for the mutual improvement and advancement of this our beautiful country, which within a short period cannot fail to be not only beautiful, but also prosperous and happy.
Given at Monterey, capital of California, this 1st day of March, of the year of our Lord, 1847, and of the Independence of the United States the 71st.
S. W. KEARNY,
Brigadier-general U. S. A., and Governor of California.
On the 2d of March, Gen. Kearny ordered the government archives to Monterey,-the reorganization of the California bat- talion, &c.
Early in this month, Lieut. Emory, the adjutant-general of Gen. Kearny's forces, and Lieut. Gray of the navy, were sent home with important despatches for the government, and arrived in Washington in the latter part of April following.
Capt. Tompkins and his company, of the Third United States Artillery, arrived very early in February, and were stationed at Monterey.
Military supplies of the quarter-master's department had been personally obtained from the Sandwich Islands by the strenuous exertions of Major Swords.
On the 6th of March, Col. Stevenson arrived in the ship T. H. Perkins, at San Francisco, with 250 of the New York California Volunteers. The residue of the regiment followed soon after.
Col. Stevenson was ordered to occupy Monterey with four com- panies, and Lieutenant-colonel Burton, with three companies of the same regiment, was stationed at Santa Barbara.
In the mean time a large proportion of the emigrants who came to California the year before, and who had been immediately and almost to a man called up to bear arms in defence of the American flag, were with characteristic energy seeking settlements.
Towns and settlements were in progress. Fortifications were being permanently erected at the most prominent assailable points.
212
TOWN OF SAN FRANCISCO.
At the Bay of San Francisco, a town of the same name arose, and the site of the town is said to be the "most commanding com- mercial position on the entire western coast of the Pacific ocean."
Decree of Governor Kearny.
I, Brigadier-general S. W. Kearny, Governor of California, by virtue of authority in me vested by the President of the United States of America, do hereby grant, convey and release unto the town of San Francisco, the people, or corporate authorities thereof, all the right, title and interest of the government of the United States, and the Territory of California, in and to the beach, and water lots on the east front of said town of San Francisco, included between the points known as the Rincon and Fort Montgomery, excepting such lots as may be selected for the use of the United States government by the senior officers of the army and navy now there ; provided, the said ground hereby .ceded shall be divided into lots, and sold by public auction to the highest bidder, after three months' notice previously given-the proceeds of said sale to be for the benefit of the town of San Francisco.
Given at Monterey, capital of California, this 10th day of March, 1847, and the seventy-first year of the Independence of the United States.
S. W. KEARNY,
Brigadier-general and Governor of California.
Another town was located at Monterey Bay. In fact, govern- ment was established, a legislative council elected, civil officers appointed, &c.
The time of the Mormon battalion, stationed at Monterey and at San Diego, expired on the 16th of July, when the land forces would consist of Col. Stevenson's regiment, one company of dra- goons, (at Los Angeles,) and one of light artillery, at Monterey. With this force and naval co-operation, there existed no reason to believe that the peaceful relations of the country would be again disturbed.
The last act of Gen. Kearny was to order Lieut. Col. Burton to proceed by sea to Lower California, and, disembarking at La Paz, to take possession of that country.
213
RETURN OF GEN. KEARNY.
On the 31st of May, 1847, Gen. Kearny having devolved the government on Col. Richard B. Mason, of the First Dragoons, as governor and commander-in-chief, set out on his return to the United States.
Gen. Kearny's party consisted of Captains Turner and Cooke, of the First Dragoons, and Major Thomas Swords of the United States quartermaster department, all officers who had largely and honourably participated in the conquest of California and New Mexico, with Lieut. Radford, of the United States navy, who had distinguished him at Mazatlan and in California. Willard P. Hall of Missouri, who personated in New Mexico the citizen soldier, aiding in its conquest as a private, and called from the ranks to frame, with Doniphan and Kearny, its laws, now returned, to find himself elected by the free suffrage of his fellow citizens of Missouri, their representative in Congress, together with Dr. Sanderson of Missouri, and Lieut. Col. Fremont with his original engineering party.
The hazards and difficulties of their route contrast strangely with the luxurious comforts of railroads, steamboats, stages and turnpikes which traverse almost any equal distance of the extremes of this wide Union. Their journey becomes the more interesting that it affords some idea of the sufferings of the unprepared and unprovided Mormons and emigrants, in a winter's passage of the Rocky Mountains.
Did our design admit of detail, large and most interesting ex- tracts would be here made of Gen. Kearny's, and others', route homewards, from the journal of a gallant and highly intelligent officer of his staff. The outlines must, however, suffice; except- ing that the burial of the dead emigrants claims a place in full.
"There was colder weather in March, in California, than had been experienced there for twenty years. Before reaching Sutter's, the party were forced to swim four or five mountain torrents, swollen by the melting snow to the breadth of rivers-the baggage and provisions were crossed in skin boats made upon the spot. Their progress was slow, and most laborious and hazardous; and
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HARDSHIPS OF THE EMIGRANTS.
one of the officers, Major Cooke, lost by an upset, save saddle and blankets, his entire outfit, even to papers and specie."
The last rancho was left on the 18th of June. On the 21st they struck the Juba, which was overflowing, hence they passed higher up, and crossed the Sierra Nevada, on which the snow was fifteen feet deep, and through which the mules were constantly breaking and burying themselves. The mountain torrents were all swollen as the winter suddenly changed to spring, while the snow beneath their feet and overhanging from the mountain cliffs, threatened to engulf or overwhelm them alternately or simultane- ously. Thus they passed the remains of (or rather clothes of) Strattan, an emigrant, who, becoming snow-blind, had been aban- doned by his companions, and here starved to death. The party of Gen. Kearny experienced great pain from the- reflection of the snow, having to protect their eyes with their handkerchiefs.
" On the 22d, they had gone five miles beyond the beautiful Turkey lake, surrounded by mountains capped with snow, when they came to 'Cannibal Camp,' so called from the deplorable state to which a party of emigrants were reduced in the year 1846. They had been overtaken by the snow and built cabins, intending to winter. But the snow fell to the depth of twenty-five or thirty feet, and out of eighty, forty-five perished there. Those that sur- vived lived on those that perished of starvation. The party found a skull that had been sawn in two to reach its contents-with five perfect skeletons, and other remains. These were buried in the best manner the means of the party admitted of. In fact, it is stated, that from the time of their entering the mountains they had been constantly passing the remains of some poor emigrant.
" On the eastern slope, they were forced to pass trackless moun- tains of black rock, by the Trucky (or Salmon Trout) river. In the narrow pass, the road (made in autumn) very frequently crosses it ; some of its small branches presented, besides a swim- ming deep torrent, hundreds of yards of dangerous bog and mire. On this river they were visited by the 'Digger Indians.'
"The party were nearly out of provisions of all sorts when they met the first emigrants at the falls of Snake river, (Lewis Fork,)
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ARRIVAL IN THE UNITED STATES.
25 miles beyond Fort Hall. They passed by that trading-post on the 15th of July. On Bear river they obtained a recruit of horses and mules from the Snake Indians.
"The party came the new road, about 50 miles, without water: from Green river to Big Sandy. Besides some companies who went round by Bridger's Fort, they met about 940 wagons of emi- grants-all, or nearly all, bound to Oregon. The last were met between the North Fork of Platte and Sweet Water, on the 28th July ; they were believed to be, and considered themselves, too late to reach Oregon; and spoke of passing the winter at Fort Bridger. They left St. Joseph about the 6th of June.
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