Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-04-24
LATE FROM CALIFORNIA.

thither. The letter is from the pen OF gentleman
who was attached to this party:
SAN DIEGo, UppEu CALIroRSIA, JAN. l9, lS47.
You will learn by the dispatches with which this will go
to Washington that have met with rather different
cepton in California from what we anticipated when wrote
you last from the Rio del Norte.
Upon arriving at the mouth of the Rio ella intercepted
party of Cafomians who were on their way to Sonora,
and got from them the first intelligence that counter evou
ton had taken place in California that Gen. Flores, with
hundred men, had driven out the Americans from the
Pueblo de los Angeles and in possession of that place
and that San Diego had been taken by Com Stockton,
though the roads leading from strongly guarded by the
enemy, that we would find it impossible get without
collision These people were peaceabe families, who were
moving with their cattle, &C. into Sonora, to get away from
the scene of trouble in California
We arrived at Warmers rancho the first settlement the
I'd December and here little command presented most
pitiable condition. The men, most OF whom had to walk
the last five hundred miles, nearly broken down with
fatigue and exhausted from nsufcency Of food Our
animals had just crossed the dreadful Homado desert of
ninety miles, without water grass, and the few who
yived were scarcely able to support their packs We e~
ceved here further intelligence of the state OF affairs in Cali
fornia all confirming what told on the Colorado.
We further learned that Andres Pico, active leader in the
revolution, had hundred and twenty welmounted
in the neghbohood stationed in the vicinity of the roads
leading into San Diego that, encounter with this force
seeming inevitable it determined by Gen Kearny to
attack him.
Marching further asceraned, on the night of the
9Th December that this party encampedten miles beyond
u.s. the Indian village Of San Pascua which
road San Diego On the morning the 9th, the enemy,
having heard of approach drawn up this place,
and party advanced and charged them they fred
and etreaed about half mile then rayng suddenly they
fought with their ances surrounding the foremost Of
who were pursuing them and did most deadly work. After
desperate and hand-to hand fight they fairly driven
from the field Our loss in this action very severe.
Three officers, Captains Johnson and Moore and Lieut..
Hammond, and sixteen killed. and fourteen wound
ed including Gen. Kearny and several officers. The loss
their side is not known with any certainty, though have
no doubt it was much less than Our men fought
at great disadvantage, being poorly mounted broken
down mules while the enemy having superb horses and be-
ing the most skillfu horsemen in the world, made deadly
charges with the lance. 1t with this weapon that all OF
side wounded, with exception Capt Johnson
shot through the head
Gen. Kearny exposed himself very much in this action
He wounded severely with lance and would doubt
have been killed but for the timely aid Of Lieut. Emory of
the typographical party who CALAMITY rode up the rescue
and had the satisfaction Of shooting with his pistol the
who about to make another deadly thrust at him.
The mournfu duty of burng the dead and the attention
required to the wounded caused such delay that march
resumed from the battle ground until the day.
As then much encountered with the packs and the
wounded men, who carried along with much difficulty
progress very slow and the enemy evident
watching closely from the hills around us,
where would occasionally few Of them, and
doubt waiting for good opportunity to take advantage of
crippled condition, had to advance with extreme caution
but mir
the enemy suddenly appeared, charging towards at fu
rous pace from the We Immediately drew up
ceive hem when they suddenly wheeled off and made for
rocky hill by, with the intention of firing down into
Gen. Kearny, seeing this movement determined to take
the hill and, although forty fifty Of the enemy had
up among the rocks and commenced fire upon they
led before dozen Of foremost We took the field
second time, and it getting late in the day.
camped the spot This exciting skrmsh, in which
of party wounded though the bullets flew thick
and fast The enemy had two wounded and lost eVe
raj horses.
1t was now evident that Pico intended to haass us by
making attack in every pass that afforded them advan
agethey being enabled by their superior horses occupy
them before could get ups and wounded men We're
suffering severely and required rest, and this position
strong Gen. Kearny determined to hold until he should
receive reinforcement from Com. Stockton, to whom
press had been sent by rusy Indian We remained here
four days. and closely surrounded by the enemy who
had received addition their forces, and numbered
hundred that could procure provisions,
and had subsst entirely mule flesh Sevcntyfve
and hundred seamen under command of Captain
Zen, Of the marine from the ships Congress and
Portsmouth TO assistance and with this efficient force
marched into San Diego without molesaton The distance
thirty miles, which we made in two days easy march.
We arrived at San Diego the 18th December. Having
asceaned that Gen. Flores the Pueblo de los Angeles
with hundred men, and prepared TO make strong de-
fence, Gen. Kearny and CON- Stockton Immediately COM
menced to organize force TO march that place and retake
Six hundred men, composed OF and marines from
the Congress- Cy ane, and Portsmouth, Captin Giespies
company Of California volunteers and the remnant of United
States dagoons rased together with six fine pieces OF
artillery The whole Of this force put Under command
of Gen. Kearny The companies OF sailors and marines
commanded by the officers Of the and Of the marine corps
attached to the squadron who have throughout this California
been doing active land service. The dragons
der Capt Turner and Lieut. Davidson, the only survv
ing officers of the regiment who through with General
Keany. Lieut.. Emory Of the Typographical Engineers
who has throughout rendered most efficient military SERVICE
made Adjuant General to the army.
This little army took up the line of Oh from San Diego
authentic intelligence of their since that time until
the arrival of Lieut. Gray, who yesterday with five
men, and who will sail from here in few hours the prize
brig Maek Abel for Panama, with dispatches from General
Kearny and Commodore Stockton for Washington
We learn from Mr. Gray that Gen. Kearny had two Skin
mishes with the enemy the 9Th and 9h fairly routing them
both times and had afterwards marched umphany into
Pueblo Fremont, who advancing the point
with four hundred from Monterey, had made treaty
with Andres Pco, which the principal conditions that