Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-11-26

OPERATIONS OF CAPTAIN Fremont IN UPPER CALL
FoRNIA.--Under this head is published ia the Wash
ington Union long letter from Senator Benton the
President Of the United States, designed more espe-
caly to disproye the accusation officially made against
Captain T. (who is Mr.. Bertons son-in-law) of
having come into California with body of United
States troops under the pretext of scientific expedi-
ton, but in reality to excite the Americans settled in
that province to an instruction against the Mexican
government"
The whole letter is interesting, but compel
led to limit ourselves to the following extracts from
which it will be that the gallant Captain had in
fact revolutonized the country, before Commodore
Soat took possession in the name of the U. States.
The alternative was presented to him of victory or
death, and he chose the former.
At the middle of May Capt Fremont, in pursuance of
bis design reach Oregon and return by the Columbia
and Missouri through the Northern Pass in the Rocky
mountains had arrived at the great Klamath Lake in the
edge of the Oregon territory, when he found his further
progress completely barred by the double obstacle of hostile
Indians whom Castro had excited against him, and the
lofty mountains, covered with deep and falling SHOWS.
which made the middle of May in that elevated region the
the middle of winter. These the difficulties
and dangers in 'front.' Behind and the north bank of
the San Francisco bay, the military post of Sonoma
General Castro, assembling troops with the avowed
intention Of attacking both FremOnts party and all the
American settlers, against whom the Indians had already
been excited Thus his passage barred in front by impas-
sable and mOunans-hemmed in by savage Indians
menaced by General the head of ten-foe forces of
all arms-he American settlers in California marked out
for destruction false accusation Of meditang
under his instgation-his and horses suerng from
fatigue cold AID fsmine-and after the anxious de-
Liberation upon all the dangers of his position and upon
oil the responsibilities of his conduct Captain Fremont
determined upon his pursuers and fight them in.
stan,y without regard to numbers and seek safety for his
party and the American settlers by oveuring the Mex
can government in California. It the day of
June that he 10 this determination and the resolu.
ton being TAKEN all halfway discard
ed, and rapid execution Of the plan commenced
On the lh of June supply Of 200 horses for Cssiros
troops the way his camp, conducted by officer
and fourteen men, surprised daylight, and the
whole capturedlhe and officers being released and
the horses retained for American On the l5lh
day break the military post at Sonoma (he point of
devious and intended headquaters) surprised and
taken with nine pieces Of brass cannon hundred and
fifty stand of muskeis other and ammunition with
several superior officers General Vallejo Vaya-ho) his
brother, Captain Vallejo, Colonel Greuxdon and others all
of whom detained and confined as prisoners.
Capt. Fremont then repaired TO the American settlements
ON the RIO de los AmericanoS obtain assistance and
receiving an express from his little garrison of Ia ia So
noma Gen. Castro preparing TO the bay
of San Francisco and attack them with large force he
set out in the of the 23d of June with ninety
mounted rifemen and travelling day and night arrived at
o'clock in the morning Of the 25lh at Sonoma-eighty
miles distance. The vanguard Of Casros force had
ed the baya squadron Of seventy Dragons, commander
| by de Ia IofFe-whicn was suaeAeu anu deieated by
twenty Americans, with the loss OF two killed and some
ounjed on the part Of the Mexicsns, and injury
,hemselyese Ia Tsrrs barely escaping with the loss OF
his transport boats and spking six pieces of artillery la
the meantime two Of Captain Fremont's men, going an
were captured by de Ia Torres men, snd being
hound 10 trees were cut pieces alive with knives in
reurn for which, three of de Ia Torres being taken,
were instantly shot, The north side Of the bay Of San
Francisco was now cleared Of the enemy add on the fourth
day Of July Capt Fremont called the Americans together
at Sonoms addressed them upon the dangers oil their SIT
.on and recommended declaration Ofindependence, and