Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-04-30

from the 1st regiment of United States dra-
goons, and by Captain Gillespie, with sixty
mounted riflemen.
We marched nearly one hundred and forty
miles in ten days, and found the rebels on the
9Th day of January, in strong position, on
the right bank of the " Rio San Gabriel" with
six hundred mounted men and four pieces of
artillery. prepared to dispute our passage a.
cross the river.
Wewaded through the water, dragging cur
guns after US, against the CALLING FIRE Of the
enemy. without exchanging shot until we
reached the opposite shore; when the fight
became general, and our troops having repealed
charge of the enemy, charged up the bank
In most gallant manner, and gained a COM
plete victory over the insurgent army.
The next day, on our march across the
plains of the Mesa" to this place, the insur-
gents made another desperate effort to save the
capital and their own necks; they were con-
cealed with their artillery in a ravine until we
came within gun shot, when they opened a
brisk fire from their field pieces on our right
flank, and at the same time charged both on
our front and rear We soon silenced their
and permitted US the next morning to march
We have rescued the country from the hands
of the insurgents, but fear that the absence
of Col. Fremonts battalion of mounted rifle
men will enable most OF the Mexican officers,
who have broken their parole, to escape TO
Sonora.
l am happy to say that our loss in killed
and wounded does not exceed twenty, whilst
we are informed that the enemy has lost be-
tween seventy and eighty.
This despatch must go Immediately, and
will wait another opportunity TO furnish you
with the details of these two battles, and the
gallant conduct of the officers and men under
my command, with their names.
Faithfully, your ob't servant,
r. F. STOCKTON, Commodore, &c.
To the Hon. GEORGE BANCROFT, Secretary o.
the Navy, Washington, D. C.
P s. Enclosed have the honor TO send tc
you a translation of the letter handed to me By
the commissioners mentioned in another par
of this despatch, sent by Jose Ma. Flores, Il
negotiate peace honorable to both nations
The verbal answer, stated in another page O
this letter, was sent TO this renowned genera
and COMMUNICATIVE chief. He had violated hi
honor, and would not treat with him no
write to him.
HEADQUARTERS CIUDAD DE LOS ANGELES,
January 18th, 184z
SIR: Referring to nv letter of the 18th,
have the honor to inform you of the arrival o
Lieut.. Col. Fremont at this place, with 'fou
hundred men--that some of the insurgent
have made their escape to Sonora, and tina
: the rest have surrendered to our arms
Immediately after the battles of the 9th an
how, IN T =
say that their leader, Jose Ma Flores, mad
his escape; and that the others have been PAL
doned by capitulation agreed upon by Lieu
Col. Fremont
Jose Ma Flores, the commander of the in
surgent forces, two or three days previous t
the 9Th, sent two commissioners with flag c
truce to my camp, to make ga treaty 6
peace" | informed the commissioners that
could not recognize Jose Ma Flores, who ha
broken his parole, as an honorable man, or a
\ one having any rightful authority or worth
to be treated with-that he was a rebel il
arms, and if caught him I would have hir
shot 1t seems that not being able to negotiat
with me, and having lost the battles of tn
! 9Th and 9th, they met Col. Fremont on tn
n y 18th inst, on his way here, who, not know
ing what had occurred, he entered into the ca
{ pitulaton with them, which now send t
. you; and although'I refused to do it mysel
still have thought At best to approve it.
:, The territory of California is again ira nqul
J and the civil government formed by me is /;
Il gain in operation in the places where it we
{ interrupted by the insurgents.
- Col. Fremont has five hundred men in h
: battalion, which will he quite suhicientto pr
! serve the peace of the territory; and l wi
- - Immediately withdraw my sailors and marine
g and sail as soon as possible for the coast
{ Mexico, where hope they will give goo
= account of themselves.
Il Faithfully, your ob't servant,
g To the Hon. GEORGE BANCROFT, Secretary
8 the Navy, Washington, D. c.