The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-12-08

became general and lasted from O'Clock in the af
iernoon hll near dark. All the enemy's redoubts were
carried aud he was driven with great slaughter from the
held and completely dispersed His artillery consist
ing OIL len pieces and culyerns, captured and
his loss In killed and wounded about six hundred
while ours did not exceed nine men. The numerical
strength OF the enemy in this engagement four
thousand-tweve hundred cavalry, twelve hundred in
fanny, three hundred artillery, and fourteen hun
dred Iancheros-under the command of several officers
OF high rank and distinction Our entire force in the
ton was less than nine hundred On the succeeding day
our victorious troops entered the capital of chihuahua,
and, alter remaining there some weeks, proceeded to JOIN
the army under Major General Taylor at Monterey.
This adventurous march by Col. Donphan and his
small and gallant command OF more than thousand
miles through hostile country, In the of which
two battles fought against vastly superior numbers.
ana decisive victories won, with great loss the part of
the enemy, and almost bloodless ours, is achieve
men 10 which it would be difficult TO find parallel in the
history OF military operations.
Alter taking possession of Santa Fe in the summer of
1916 and making the necessary arrangements for holding
and the territory OF New Mexico, General Keany, pur
suan TO instructions from this department. proceeded to
California He commenced this expedition in September
proceeding by an unusual and almost unknown route
Gong down the Rio Grande more than two hundred
miles, he passed over TO the river Gla and followed its
to its junction with the Colorado of the West
distance dist OF five hundred miles His march was eonn-
across the great desert On the I'd OF December he
rived at settlement the frontier of California. While
pursuing his march from that place, he was met two
days thereafter about forty miles from San Diego, by
small detachment of volunteers under Captain Gillespie
sent out by Commodore Stockton to give intelligence OF
the enemy who to the number of SIX or seven hundred
were reported to be in arms In the territory.
Being informed that an armed party OF Californans
at San Pasqual, eight or ten miles distant from
him, he moved forward on the 9th, with view to attack
them. An action ensued, and resulted in their defeat
with considerable loss in killed and wounded The force
under Gen Kearny engaged on this occasion did not
coed eighty; the enemy were more than double that
number and being all we'll mounted. were able to make
good their retreat.
The next day the detachment proceeded on its march,
and again encountered hostile party occupying hill
San Bernardo, and drove them from their position.
Gen. Kearny remained with his~eommand at this place
until the lth, when he was joined by party of sailors
and Marines sent out by Commodore Stockton, and then
proceeded to San Diego Here terminated most ardu-
march OF one thousand and miles, through
country never before traversed by armed force, and
beset with formidable difficulties only to be surmoun,ed
by extraordinary energy and perseverance, and towards
its close obsructed by enemy who opposed despe
rate resistance which was overcome by severe and
culinary conflicts Our successes creditable TO the he
roic band who achieved them not obtained without
the loss of three brave and accomplished officers and
about eighteen gallant men,
On the 29th OF December force OF five hundred men,
consisting of dsmounted Dragons, volunteers marines,
and sailors moved from San Diego upon Cudad de los
Angeles, the stronghold of the enemy, with view TO
succor party of Americans moving the same point
from Monterey On the Sth of January this force reach
ed the San Gabriel river, where found the enemy full
six hundred strong, with artillery stationed the heights
which commanded the passage OF the river, and deter
mined disputeit conflict ensued which last
ed hour and half, when the heights carried,
and the enemy defeated and driven from the field The
next day he again met and routed the plains OF
Msa. Without further resistance the detachment moved
forward and arrived the 10th al Cudad de los Angeles
and took peaceable possession of the place
The results OF these engagements were disastrous TO
the enemy, that OF the leaders of the Caomians
few days thereafter, met Lieut. Colonel Frem ont, who
was in command Of four hundred volunteers, near San
Fernando, and entered into capltilation with him,
whereby the people under arms and in the field agreed to
dispense and remain quiet and peaceabe Thus the serious
disturbances which had arisen in California subseq to
xha ht
down. and from that time to the latest period to which our
information extends, all there tranquil, and Sc
apprehensons of further disturbance were enter
tanned
Colonel Mason sent from the United States in No
vember 1876 to California, where he arrived in Febru
airy. General Kearny had permission to return home
when the condition. OF affairs should no longer ulre
his presence In that country. Pursuant to instructions
from this department. the command OF our land forces In
California and the charge Of the temporary civil govern
ment there established, deyolved Colonel Mason
about the first OF last June, when General Kearny left
for the United States.
The military operations in California previous to the
arrival of General Keany, had been conducted by the
officers OF the navy and Lieutenant eCoone Fremont by
forces drawn in part from the squadron and in part or
been detailed took place before any Of the land forces
sent from the United States except the few Dragons
who accompanied General Kearny, (not exceeding one
hundred,) had arrived in California The company of
artillery which embarked at New York in July, 1916,
did reach that country until February 1Si7 and the
regiment of volunteers from New York. which sailed in
September, arrived there in March,
battalion under the command of Lieutenant Colonel
Cooke from Santa Fe arrived in California January,
lS17 This battalion also proceeded by way OF the ella
river and by devatng from the route taken by General
Keany, found practicable over which, though
no wheel carriage OF any description had ever before
passed, they were enabled to take train OF wagons
About two hundred recruits have been sent out, with
in few months past 10 fill up the companies in the reg
ment of volunteers IN California
BY the last report, dated 18th June, from Colonel Ma
son, now chief in the command of the military force in
California, and exercising the functions of temporary
country do not exceed hundred and hfty exclusive
of the battalion from Santa Fe whose of service
pred in July, and who not expected to engage
When the recruits shall have arrived the entire force in
that country will be about thousand. These occupy
seven posts, al long distance from each other. de
tachmen has been semi TO garrison La Paz the capital Of
Lower California,
Under almost any circumstances, this force can hardly
be regarded sufficient to the purpose for which
troops required in that country. Though all is
quiet there's and serious apprehension is entertained of
disturbances yet the country In occupation Is extern
sye embracing many positions which should be garr-
soned, and the Indian race is there numerous, with the
propensity and habit OF depredatng In case OF threaten
ed disturbance ii is not doubted that considerable
mentaon of force could be derived from the inhabt
of the country; STILL think it advisable TO increase
the number of troops there To show the state OF
things in California, regard to military affairs well
as 10 other matters to which shall hereafter alude,
herewith transmit the last communication received from
Colonel Mason.
Soon after the departure of the expedition, under Col
Doniphan, for Chihuahua an instruction broke out in
the northern part of New Mexico, which appeared to
have for its object the of all American residents
without reference to their being the public service and
such of the Mexicans had taken office under the gov
eminent established by military authority The first
act of outrage was the deliberate and brutal murder OF