Weekly national intelligencer., 1847-12-25

fought against vastly superior numbers, and decisive
victories won with great loss the part of the enemy and
almost boodess ours achievement to which it would
be difficult to find parallel in the history of military
operations
After taking possession of Santa Fe in the summer of
1885, and making the necessary arrangements for holding
and the territory Of New Mexico, Gen Kearny pursuant
instructions from this Department. proceeded to California.
He commenced this expedition in September proceeding by
an unusual and almost unknown route Going down the
Rio Grande more than hundred miles, passed
the river Gla and followed its course to its junction with
the Colorado of the West distance of five hundred miles.
His march continued forty miles down the Colorado,
thence sixty miles the great desert On the I'd of De-
cember he arrived settlement the frontier of California
While pursuing his march from that place he met,
days thereafter, about forty miles from San Diego by small
detachment Of volunteers under Capt Gillespie by
Commodore Stockton give intelligence of the enemy who,
the number of hundred reported be
in in the territory.
Being informed that armed party of Californans
at San Pascua eight miles distant from him. he moved
forward the 9th with view to attack them An action
ensued and resulted in their defeat with considerable loss
killed AMI wounded The force under Gen. Keay engaged
this occasion did not exceed eighty the enemy
than double that number, and being all well mounted
able make good their retreat
The day the detachment proceeded its march, and
again encountered hostile party occupying bill near San
Bernardo and drove them from their position Gen. Kearny
remained with his command at this place until the lth,
when he Joined by party Of sailors and manes sent
by Commodore Stockton, and then proceeded to San
Diego Here terminated most arduous march Of thou
and miles, country before
traversed by armed force and beset with formidable diff
cules, only be sumouned by extraordinary energy and
perseverance, and towards its close obsuced by enemy
who opposed desperate resistance, which was overcome by
and sangunay conflicts Our successes credtabe
the heroic 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 dsnouned dragoons volunteers, Marines and
Sailors moved from San Diego upon Cudad de los Angeles,
the stronghold of the enemy with view to party OF
Americans moving the point from Monterey On the
Sh of January this force reached the San Gabriel river where
it found the enemy full hundred strong, with artillery,
toned the heights which commanded the passage of the
river and determined to dispute it. conflict ensued,
which lasted hour and half when the heights car
ed and the enemy defeated and driven from the field The
day he again and routed the plains Of Msa.
Without further resistance the detachment moved forward
and arrived the 10th Ciudad de los Angeles, and took
peaceable possession of the place.
The results of these engagements disastrous the
enemy that of the leaders the Calonians few days
thereafter met Lieut. Colonel Fremont who in command
of four hundred volunteers San Fernando and entered
capulation with him, whereby the people under arms
and in the field agreed dspese and remain quiet and peace
able Thus the serious disturbances which had arisen in
California subsequent The first occupation Of the country by
forces put down and from that time to the latest
period TO which information extends all there
gull and serious apprehensons OF further disturbance
entertained.
Colonel Mason from the United States Nove-
ber 1916, to California, where he arrived in February Gen.
Kearny had permission home when the condition Of
affairs should longer require his presence that
Pursuant instructions from this Department, the command
of land forces in California and the charge Of the tempo
ray civil government there established devoved Col
Mason about the first of last June whom General Keany left
for the United States.
The military operations in California previous the arri-
val Of General Keay had been conducted by the officers Of
the and Lieut. Col Fremont, by forces drawn IN part
from the squadron and in part organized in the country All
the transactions which have been detailed took place before
of the land forces sent from the United Stae the
few dragons who accompanied General Kearny not exceed
ing hundred had arrived in California. The company
of artillery which embarked New Yok in July, 1885, did
reach that country until February, ls47 and the reg
of volunteers from New York. which sailed in Septem-
Der, arrived there in March.
A battalion under the command Of Lieutenant Colonel
Cooke from Fe arrived in California in January ls47
This battalion also proceeded by of the Ga river and
by devatng from the taken by Gen Kearny found
practicable which, though wheel carriage of any
description had before passed. they enabled to take
a train of wagons.
About two hundred recruits have been sent out within
few months past gill up the companies the regiment
volunteers in California.
BY the last report dated 18th June, from Colonel Mason
chief in command of the military force in California and
exercising the functions OF temporary civil governor there
appears that the troops that country do net exceed
hundred and fifty exclusive Of the battalion from Santa Fe
whose term of service expired in July, and who
pected to re-engage When the recruits shall have arrived
the entire force in that country will be about thousand
These occupy posts at long distance from each other
detachment has been garrison La Pa the capital Of
I
Lower California
Under almost any circumstances this force hardly be
regarded sufficient the purpose for which troops
are required in that country Though all is quiet there
and no serious apprehension entertained Of disturbance
the country in occupation is extensive embracing many
positions which should be garisoned and the Indian is
there numerous with the propensity and habit OF depedang
In case of threatened disturbance, is not doubted that
considerable augmentation OF force could be derived from
the inhabitants of the country still think advisable 10
increase the number OF troops there To show the state
OF things IN California regard to military affairs, well
as to other matters to which shall hereafter alude, here
with transmit the last communication received from Colonel
Mason.
Soon after the departure of the expedition under Col Don
phan for chihuahua nsuecon broke in the northern
part OF New Mexico, which appeared to have for its object the
massacre of all American residents without reference their
being IN the public SERVICE and such of the Mexcans had
taken office under the government established by military
authority The first act of outrage the deliberate and
brutal murder of the governor of the territory, and several other
American citizens at Taos Similar atrocities the
same time Perpetraed at the Arroyo Honda and the Rio Colo
rado Flushed with the Of their first sudden
ment the insurgents proceeded collect and organize their
force Tor an attack upon Santa Fe As the command
ing officer was informed Of their designs he took prompt
ures to intercept their march, TO restore order throughout the
territory and to punish their leaders Ordering in the detach
mens at the outposts and leaving sufficient garrison at San
Va re, Col frIce with three hundred and fifty men, nclud
ing company OF horse and battery Of mountain howzers,
moved on the 23d OF January, in the direction Of Taos and
on the succeeding day discovered the enemyabou fifteen
hundred-near the town of Canada They immediate
y attacked driven from their positions, and dsperscd with
loss of thry-six killed and many wounded.
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