The Mississippi Creole. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1841-1851, 1846-12-05
Lieut.. Col. Fremont.

Mr. Benton has furnished the Government at
Washington with letters from Lieut.. Col. FIRE.
mont, giving a connected account OF his ope-
ratons in California. There was hiatus to be
supplied extending from Fremonts intended
withdrawal from the country down to the time
when Com. Sloat avaied himself oil his seryi
ces. Fremont was compelled to wage HOSTILE
ties against the Mexcans long before he heerd
Of the war, and upon his individual response
bity. Upon what ground he assumed such
responsibility he states in his letters to Col.
Benton, and that gentleman gives the following
brief summary of them, and of the events which
have Gnsued. Most of these events will be
entirely new 10 our readers. Rcagunc.
In the middle of May, Captain Fremont, in
pursuance of Lis design to reach Oregon, and
return by the Columbia and the Missouri thru
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 dou-
Bile obstacle of hostile Indians, which Castro
had excited against him, and the lofty noun
tains, covered with deep and falling SHOWS,
which made the middle of MAY in that elevated
region the same as the middle of winter. These
were. ihe difficulties and dangers ~ front. Re
hind, and on the north bank ltbe San Francis
CO bay, at the military post of Sonoma, was
Gen. Castro, assembling troops with the avow-
cd intention Of attacking both Fremont's party
and all the American settlers, against whom
To- baI nj do hpp I'D
/ his passage barred in front by impossible
SHOWS and mouniains-hemmed in by savage
/ Indians, who were thinning the ranks Of his
! little party -menaced by a general at the head
OF ten fold forces of all arms--the American
settlers in California marked out for destruc-
ton on false accusation of meditating a re-
volt under his instigaton-his men and horses
suffering from fatigue, cold and famine-and
after the most anxious deliberation upon all the
dangers of his position, and upsn all the res
possibilities Of his conduct, Capt Fremont de-
termined to turn upon his pursuers and fight
them Instantly, without regard TO numbers,
and seek safety for his party and the American
settlers, by overturning the Mexican Govern
ment IN California. IL was on the 9th day Of
June that he came to this determination, and,
the resolution being once taken, all half way
. measures were at once discard d, and rapid
Q ecution of the plan was commenced. On
the llth of June, supply Of two hundred hor-
ses for Caslro's troops, on the way TO his camp,
conducted by an officer and fourteen men,
were surprised at daylight and the whole cap
tured--the officer and men being released, and
the horses retained for American use.
On the 10Th, at day break, the military post
Of sonoma, (the point of rendezvous and inten-
ded headquarters,) were surprised and taken
with nine pieces Of brass cannon, two hundred
and fifty stand Of muskets, other arms and am
munition, with several superior officers, Gen.
Vallejo, his brother, Captain Vallejo, Col.
Greuxdon and others: all Of whom were detain-
ed and confined as prisoners. Capt. Fremont
then repaired to the American settlements on
the Rio de los .4meriednos, to obtain assstances
end receiving an express from his little garri-
son Of fourteen in sonoma that Gen. Castro
was preparing to cross e bay Of San Francis
CO and attack them with a large force, he set
out in the afternoon Of the 23d of June with
ninety mounted rlnemen, ana travelling Gay
and night, arrived at two o'clock on the morn
ing Of the 25th at Sonoma eighty miles distance
The vanguard Of Casto's force had crossed
had crossed the bay-a squadron Of seventeen
dragons commanded by De la Tone-whch
was attacked and defeated by twenty Amer
leans, with the loss Of Of two killed and some
wounde on the pau Of the Mexicans, and no
injury to themselves. De la Tore barely es-
Gaping with the loss Of his transport boats, and
spiking six pieces Of artillery. In the mean
time, two of Capt. FremOnt's men going an eK-
press, were captured by Dc la Torres men, be-
ing bound to trees, were cut to pieces alive
with knives--in return for which, three OF De
la Torres men being taken were Instantly shot.
The North side Of the bay Of San Francisco
was now cleaied oil the enemy, andlOn the 9th
day OF July, Captain Fremont called the Amer
leans together, addressed them upon the dan
gers Of their situation, and recommended a
Declaration cf Independence, and WaI upon