170

THE SAME CONTINUED.

all excepting six. The great number of killed and wounded proves that our officers and men have fully sustained the high character and reputation 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 Captain Turner, First Dragoons, (A. A. A. G.), and to Lieutenant Emory, (Topographical Engineers), who were active in performance of their duties, and in conveying orders from me to the command.

On the morning of the seventh, 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, which they left as we approached till reaching San Barnardo, 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 eleventh, when Lieutenant Gray, of the Navy, in command of a party of sailors and marines sent out from San Diego by Commodore Stockton, joined us. We proceeded at 10 A. M., the enemy no longer showing himself, and on the twelfth (yesterday) we reached this place; and I have now to offer my thanks to Commodore 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,

Brigadier General R. JONES,

S. W. KEARNY, Brigadier General U. S, A.

Adjutant General U. S. A.

THE HOSTILE FORCES.

171

The eminent services of COMMODORE STOCKTON, at this most important and critical juncture, can hardly be too highly extolled. While the party-press at home were making free with his proclamations, and denouncing the decided course which he had taken the responsibility to adopt, those who were at the seat of war regarded him as the sheet-anchor of their hopes, and were able to see that his whole conduct was suited to the emergency which had arisen. To his gallantry, wisdom, sagacity and prudence ; to his timely and energetic measures, the people of the United States are chiefly indebted for the rapid and final suppression of the Californian insurrection, which, at once and forever, sealed the destiny of the most magnificent and opulent territory in the world.

In the existing state of affairs, the Californian movement, although ultimately hopeless, possessed the elements of temporary success. Their forces were easily kept on footfor the Californians are a hardy race, and will undergo any amount of fatigue, so long as they are well mounted. In their own climate they are regular Cossacks, so far as regards sleeping at night in the open air, and subsisting on the country people, whether friends or foes. They are the best fellows in the world to send on foraging expeditions, and they will be sure to quarter themselves on somebody. They had the advantage of a perfect knowledge of the country, and possessed the secret sympathy of many of the rancheros who took no active part in the rebellion. They thus enjoyed a monopoly of the horses; and all the beef, tortillas, and other articles of the commissariat which they required, were to be had by them everywhere. They had a persuasive way of their own for obtaining everything they stood in need of; and not the most lukewarm or miserly of their countrymen dared to make a complaint, well knowing that death would be the consequence of withholding or begrudging supplies. Thus their riatas fell with impunity on every man's cattle; these lawless appropriations being made

172

STOCKTON'S ENERGY.

in the name of "La Patria "'—a cause which recognizes no "vacas agenas," or cattle of other people. It is impossible to tell where this system of patriotic brigandage would have ended, had it not been for the prompt and energetic measures adopted at this crisis by the Commander-in-Chief. Few men, holding the rank of Commodore Stockton, would have ventured to assume the responsibility which he took upon himself on this occasion; and, perhaps, nothing short of imperative necessity, would have justified the boldness of his measures. Without delay or hesitation he caused his ships to be abandoned by their crews, and as soon as these brave tars were landed, they were immediately converted into an effective force of infantry and artillery. Jack is amphibious. He will fight like a lion amidst the waste of waters, in defence of the wooden walls, and when on shore he will pitch, pell-mell, into the enemy, or march up undaunted to the cannon's mouth.

Although the American residents in the country had turned out in considerable numbers, and with great alacrity, to defend their homes, and sustain the supremacy of their dear native land, they were very indifferently organized, having but few officers of the regular service to teach them discipline and tactics. Most of their companies were commanded by officers elected from their own ranks-brave and hardy yeomen, it is true, and men of excellent character, but almost totally uneducated, and wholly unskilled in civilized warfare, their stock of military knowledge having been acquired in border warfare with the Indians. There was not a bayonet to be found among them, the whole party being armed with rifles and hunting equipments, with the usual allowance of revolvers and bowie-knives,

The Californians had complete possession of the principal points, and possessed great advantages from their superior skill in horsemanship. Their good-understanding and persuasive arts with the rancheros, and their facilities for driving cattle, placed the American forces in a quandary for

LOS ANGELES RECAPTURED.

173

supplies of provisions, which were not to be obtained with-out active effort. The American settlers were more annoyed in this particular than the Tarpaulin regulars; for, while the former were forced to depend on their own skill and good-luck for food, the sailors could fall back on their salt-junk, bread, and whiskey.

After being drilled and equipped as thoroughly as was possible, under the circumstances, the American forces, consisting of one company of United States dragoons, the sailor artillery and infantry, one company of San Diego volunteers, under the command of Captain Santiago Arguello, and Captain Gillespie's company of rifles-in all about five hundred men-marched out of San Diego, and took the road to the Angelic capital.

On the eighth day of January, 1847-the anniversary of a day famous in the annals of our country-the river San Gabriel was crossed by this gallant little band, in the face of the enemy's artillery and cavalry. On the ninth, a skirmish took place, with a trifling loss on our side, and without materially impeding the march of our forces. On the tenth the American troops entered Los Angeles, and the stripes and stars once more supplanted the conquered flag of Mexico. The following is General Kearney's report of the actions of the eighth and ninth :

HEAD QUARTERS, ARMY OF THE WEST,

CIUDAD DE LOS ANGELES, Upper California, Jan. 12, 1847. SIR-I have the honor to report, that, at the request of Commodore R. F. Stockton, (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 on the twenty-ninth of December, I left San Diego with about five hundred men, consisting of sixty dismounted dragoons, under Captain Turner; fifty California volunteers, and the remainder of marines

174

KEARNEY'S OFFICIAL DESPATCH.

and sailors, with a battery of artillery. Lieutenant Emory (Topographical Engineers) acted as assistant adjutant general. Commodore Stockton accompanied us. We proceeded on our route without seeing the enemy till on the eighth instant, when they showed themselves in full force Of six hundred 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 command. We then proceeded, forded the river, carried the heights, and drove the enemy from them, after an action of about one 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 ninth instant) we proceeded on our march at the usual hour, the enemy in 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 in the afternoon encamped on the bank of the Mesa three miles below this city, which we entered the following morning without further molestation.

Our loss, in the actions of the eighth and ninth instant, was small, being one private killed, and two officers (Lieutenant Rowlin of the Navy, and Captain Gillespie of the Volunteers) and eleven privates wounded. The enemy,