New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1847-05-06

Battle of san PasquaI.

HEADQUARTERS. ARMY or THE WEST, I
SAN DIEGO, UPPER CALIFORNIA, Dec. 10, 1916
SIR: In my communication 10 you of Yesterdays
date, brought the reports of the movements of my
guard up to the morning of the 9Th instant in camp
rancho Of Mr.. Stokes Santa Mara) about 10 miles
rom san Diego
Having learned from apt Gnispie Of the volunteers
that there armed party Of Californans, with
number ct extra horses at San Pssqua three Leagues
distant a road leading 10 this place, sent Leuten-
ant Hammond lst Dragons, with few men TO make
reconnaissance Of them.
lie returned At two in the morning OF the 9Th inst
porting that he had found the party in the place men
toned and that he had been seen though not pursued
by them. then determined that would march for and
attack them by break OF day. Arrangements were ac-
cordingly made for the purpose. My Aidde.eamp, Col
Capt Johnson, Dragons assigned to the command
Of the advance guard OF twelve Dragons mounted
the best horses had then followed about fifty Ora.
goons under Capt Moore mounted with but few ex.
ceptons the tired mules they had ridden from Santa
Fe New Mexico 1850 mies) then about 20 Volunteers
Of Capt Gibson's Company, under his command, and
that Of Capt. Gilsps then followed our two mounted
howitzers, with DRAGONS to manage them and under
the charge OF Lieut. Davidson of the Re- gment
The remainder OF the Dragons volunteers and Cit.
zens, employed by the officers OF the staff &c. were
placed under the command of Major Swords, Quarter.
master) with orders to follow trail with the bag
gage. and % 10 its safety.
AZ the day december o dawned approached the
enemy al San PasQual who already in the saddle
when Captain Johnson made furious charge upon them
with his advance guard, and in a short time after
supported by the dragons aiterwhich the enemy
gave way having kept up from the beginning continued
fire upon Us.
Upon the retreat Of the enemy, Capt Moore led of
rspfdly pursuit accompanied by the dragons mount.
ed on horses, and was followed though slowly, by the
others on their tired mules the enemy well mounted
aud among the best hOrsemen In the world after
treating about half a mile and seeing interval be-
Capt Moore with his advance and the dragons
coming % his support rallied their whole force charged
with their ances, and account Of their greatly supe
rOr numbers but few Of In front remained untouch
I'd for i've minutes they held the ground from us,
when our men coming up. we again drove them and
they fed from the field not 10 return TO H. which we oc
cupied and encsmped upon.
most melancholy duty now remains for me It's to
report the death Of my Aidde-csmp Captain Johnson,
who shot dead At the commencement Of the action
Of Captain Moore who lanced sst previous to the
final retreat Ofthe enemy and OF Lieutenant Hammond
also lanced and who survived but lew hours we
had also killed two Sergesnts, two CorpOrals and ten
prgaes OF the let dragons private OF the voun-
teers. and man. engage in the Typographical de-
partment Among the wounded are myself lin two
places Lieutenant Warner typographical nzneers Din
three places) Captains Gispe and Gibson OF the youn.
eers, the former IN three places) Sergeant one
bugeman, and nine prvstes Of the dragons many OF
these surviving from two 70 ten lance wounds most Of
/ them when endorsed and incapable Of resistance.
Our howitzers were not brought into the action but
coming 10 the front At the cOse OF IT, before they
turned as 10 admit Of being red upon the rereang
enemy tbe mules before one OF them got alarmed
and freeing themselves from their drivers ran OF and
among the enemy. and WAS thus lost b US.
The enemy proved 10 be party Of about 100 Csliior
mans under Andreas FlcO brother OF the late
the number Of their dead and wounded have been
considerable, though have no means of sscertaining
how many, just previous 10 their hnal retreat they
carried OF al excepting six.
The great number OF our killed and wounded proves
that officers and have fully sustained the high
character and reputation Of troops and the victory
thus gained over more than double force may as
| sst In forming the wreath Of our national glory
lhave 10 return my thanks 10 msRy for their galantry
and good conduct the field and particularly 10 Capt
Turner. lsl Dragons assistant acting Adutan Gener
all and 10 Lieut. Emory, typographical engineers who
we're active In the performance Of their duties and in
conveying orders from 10 the command
| On the morning Of the 7th having msde ambuances
for our wounded and inferred the dead proceeded
on our march, when the enemy showed himself, oceu'
pying the bills in front but Whch they eit a. we
approached Ill reaching San Bernado party OF mem
took possession Of hill IL and mainianed ns'
position uIlil attacked by advance VINO qs.Ay
drove them tromit killing and wounohs h'e VI VIC"
| number, with no lose on our part
On sccQLn, of our wounded men, aud upon 'ne ePVi'
OF the surgeon that rest necessary ior mem we re-
NAMED this place I'LL the morning OF 'ne IAln, Wneu
Lieut. Gray Of the navy ccmma and 81 party OF sslors
and marines sent out from san Deso y Icn S'ock'on
Joined us We proceeded al ~ a. "a tne enemy no
longer .ho wing himself and on the l<tn Yesterday We
reached hi, place and have now 20 o'er my thanks
10 com Ston all Of his gallant command for the
yerv MANY Kind attentions have received and con
/ tinue to receive from them
Very respectfully your obedient servant
| wv kEARNY Big zen. q. g. A.
Brig Gen. r. JONES, Adjuisns General I. s.A. Ws.s-
| ipgtou.