Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1847-05-14
California.
True DsmJ;rA.
OF q Letter, d1,ed

i-AHdSt VI u LsAAtTt OlAeu
SAN Disco, Jan. so.
IN the encounters at the different places in
which our troops have met the Caiiibrnians,
the latter have always been attacked under
the impression that they had no idea Of fight
ing. ln the case Of Capt. Mervinr, Com
molore Stockton had such a Contemplate
opinion Of them, that he had M 6eld-pieceS
sent ashore aud there were our ufrn on foot
under the FIRE OF three or four nrld pieces of
the enemy, giving them a verv hard chase.
although mounted on splendid horses. " The
chase had continued but a very short time
longer, they would undoubtedly have been
Obliged TO give up one or more Of their field
pieces; but they had killed so mary Of our
men that 1t was deemed prudent to return.
la the case Of the Salinas Phins, our
small plfty came upon them unawates, and
had thcy shown themstlcs men. tloy would
have cot every one Of our parry T. pieces, be-
sides doing an irrcpauble Cat the iime) dam
age by taking away our horses. Many were
the ieats OF bravery witch our men display
ed, aud it was by acts Of the mtsi reckless
and aulacious boldness thar The officers and
men In that engagement were killed. and not
from anything which reflects credit on the
enemy. For, where simply four white men
and two Indians can, by keeping protected
by a small wood, and firing from behind the
trees, keep away more than 80 Of the enemy
Tor upward OF an hour, il c%sTt1inIy does not
sptak well Of the bravery of the latter
These few men were an advanced guard. and
as soon as the main body Of about forty came
up, The enemy Immediately took 10 fight.
The Calliornians have, as one OF their
weapons, a very Thin and beautifully made
spear, kept as sharp as a razor, and attached
10 a long pole Of about five feet. They have,
lalleriy, done all their fighting with il. And
II Is by means of these weapons that they
have had such successes. Our army not be.
ing able 10 obtain gocn horses. could moi
keep clear of them. They would make theil
Arab-like charges from behind; and befor,
one OF our riders was able - turn his horse
TO face his foe, ne would find himself horri
5ir cut, or iransdyCd with one Of their SPEARS
and the Calilornians, well knowing where
their great advantage lay. never made an a.
tack unless they came behind, Taes it wa:
with General kearney's dragons, who were
mounted on worn-out mules, which ut the
best is only a caricatnre Of Dagoon. Beside
they had hut a small body of men, it being
the ad vance guard, opposed 10 about coo we'll
mounted men. (they having for a long time
reserved all their best horses and kent them
In good order, for the purpose of having this
great advantage over our Dragoons.) The
Dragnons had a great many difficulties to
contend with. Their swords would not Gu,
} through the enemies clothes, for they had
: been cutting wood all the way across IN,
Continent their guns would not go off, from
The wet. Beside, their faded and worn-ou.
bodies were in no plight for fighting; and il
no wonder that the advance was wnrsted IN.
I'll the main body came up. | trust the last
battle will keep things qniot for the future in
this part OF the country.-JOurnai IF tom.
merce.