Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-11-27
Karnys leterboo, which (viz the etterbook) is IN his
own handwriting
The letter read as follows
"HEADauARTERs 10TH MILITARY DEPARrMEsT,

thai entrusted with the command OF the Southern Mill
tar! District and required look to its protection and de-
fence Tor which purpose the California volunteers now at
Cuad dc los Angeles the Mormon battalion and company
i G. Isl dragons, are placed under your orders
Ihe southern district is the important one IN the de-
psfment and the in which flor many reasons) difficulties
most TO be apprehended The route between Caio MIA
arid Sonora leads from the frontier OF that district and that Is
the envy one by which Mexican troops can be brought INTO
country.
pass near Warmers Rancho Aqua Caente wen guarded
and the road from it in the direction Of San Felipe and the
desert reconnored and examined frequently as eireum
sAould be kept much in motion The friendship and good
will Of the Indians that frontier easily be secured and
il shcud be done. highly important that very discreet
officer should be in command OF the troops may station at
the city OF the Angeles which has been for so long time
the capital of the Territory and headquarters of the Mex
and Catornans when in against US Great discon-
tent and anmosy the part OF the people there
Americans have existed and in consequence OF complaints
made BY them OF the volunteers engaged IN our cause is
not necessary 70 inquire if these complaints are weounded
The fact that the people have been uniriendy
posed us sufficient to make II our duty to reconcile and
make friends of hem aud this desirable object may be
effected by mild courteous and just treatment OF them in
future urge this subject upon your attention. and trust that
you WIN impress upon those ocers ana troops you may
| station there.
NY letter to you of the 18th umo Ga copy which
enclosed herewith directed you, under certain eircumsan-
to send company Of the Mormon battalion TO San Diego
have only add that should the circumstances alluded
10 occur you will send company more as you may deem
necessary.
The selection Of place for your headquarters is matter
Cudad de los Angeles but leave that subject for your dec
sion as am unwilling to ebaIrass you place any impede
ment your way that might prevent you from performing the
Very respectfully your 0bedent servant T
| alt. Col p ST.. G. CooKE
Cong, Southern Mil. Dep, San Luis Rey.'
Question: Are these the orders under which you would
have crushed the resistance Of Capt Owens and his bat
aon if you had apprehended the excitement of revolt
among the people!
Ans,oer Those the only orders had at that time and
under the circumstances should have deemed my duty
have enforced my orders in relation the artillery, founded
the verbal orders OF the general The witness corrected
his testimony by saying under ordinary circumstances
Question. Is it the "peope spoken Of by you
badly used by the California battalion whose revolt you APP
pretended you should attempt enforce the orders you had
received in regard to the artillery
On the reading of this question the Court cleared
When it again opened the Judge Advocate announced
the decision Of the Court that the question should be put TO
the witness. II was accordingly again read to him.
Ans,cer think have spoken of them having been
badly used but understand the question refers General
kearny's letter which have introduced this morning
member Of the Court. There is nothing about the abuse
of the people in that letter.
The question here modified by the counsel of the
cused to say is the people spoken of by Gen.
hearny so badly used, &c.
Anstcer The revolt which apprehended in of col
ision between different parts of the American forces from
the inhabitants of my district generally had thought
the hme of any particular class of them. "
Question: Can you those verbal orders referred TO by
you yesterday with any greater particularly than you have
before done
Ans,cv state that among them may have been the sug
gesion to station potion of my forces at St Luis Rey
The Judge Advocate here remarked that this rather
indefinite testimony which Major Cooke REPLIED g.
not help it, it all remember. received such sug
gesion. do not remember any other shape in which
came.
Question In what capacity did you give your order to Mid
shpman Wilson to turn the artillery to officer 10 be
designated by you receive them
Ansacer As the superior military officer present in the
district.
Question. Was addressed TO him in any other capacity
than as Midshipman Passed Midshipman
ARs,cer understand the question relate TO the form of
the address
Judge Advocate do understand confined to the
form merely.
Insurer understand, and say do not remember the
form of the address
orders you received in which you would have used your
Momons and Dragons to g crush" Lieut.. Col Fremont if
had found him instead Of Captain Owens the head Of
the California battalion dby ''crushed, used by you
do you killed
This question having been read by the Judge Advocate the
Court cleared On its being eopened the decision was
announced that the question should not be put
Question Was Lieut.. Col Fremont al Los Angeles when
you arrived there with your Mormons and Dragons
Aaswer. No.
Quton Did you endeavor to get possession OF Lieut. Col
Femons house Los Angeles during his absence and were
you opposed and prevented by Major Russell
ARswer. On my arrival at Los Angeles was in want of
quarters for the men under my command informed
there large house in the village town. occuuied by
number Of officers Of the California battalion caused an Of
fetal inquiry be made whether the building was rented by
the United States for United States purposes The Assis-
tant Quartemaser Myers by NAME believe answered the
official note saying that it rented for private purposes
public Mr. Russell was not at Los Angeles when ar
rived there, as was told did not see him at all
Question: Did you wait Lieut. Col. Fremont or call
upon him way, after his from Monterey 10 Los
Angeles AHstcer. No.
Question Did you salute him officer, especially at
Los Angeles the march from Monterey to Fort Lea
wentworth
Anscer. was introduced TO Lieut.. Col Fremont by Col
Mason, and he received with such extreme GOODNESS and
that judged my acquaintance he sagreeabe 10 him.
met him in the afterwards with ladies' and
salued the whole party. present at two parties with
him. Ia which held intercourse On the return march
TO Fort Leayenwonh very seldom him. and do not re-
member having him face face the circumstances I'M
der which sautes generally given
Question. Was that introduction your own quarters and
after your having been week Los Angeles without calling
on him
AnSUer. That introduction in a common boarding
house. probably week after Col Fremons arrival Iundet.
stood that the regulations required Lieut. Col Fremont 10 re-
port his arrival to me commanding officer Of the post
question. Did he march and encamp in the rear of Gen
hearny Mormon the march from Monterey 10 Fort
LeayenworA
.ihSTsr. Not universally.
question: How came Lieut. Col. Fremont to bs in YOUR
quarters Was he sent for by Col. Mason And did Col.
mason ask be present whenever he going have
an interview with Lieut.. Col Fremont
/ TN reading this question the Court cleared.
On re-opeNing it. the Judge Advocate stated that the Court
had decided admit