The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-04-23

"CIUDAD DE LOS ANGELES, Jan II, 1917
In my last, you informed of the outbreak of the
insurgents OF California and the trouble should have
Tor our commodore TO que them. His plan, OF which
then informed you, has been fully carried out AT the
head OF the force at his command, amounting TO about
600, including the detachment OF the LIST regiment OF
United States dragons, under General keamy, he left
San Diego on the morning of the Goth December deter
mined again to enter the capital take possession and
put down the instruction. Our line of March was
through rough and mountainous country Of nearly $50
miles, with mpedments every sde to say nothing of
the constant apprehension OF attack both day and night
by our enemy on the way Our march was nowithstand
lng rapid and although performed mostly by sailor
troops would have done credit to the best trained army
IN the world, On the morning of the sth January, we
found ourselves, after several days hard marching and
fatigue, IN the vicinity OF the river of San Gabriel, on
the north bank of which, the enemy had fortified them
selves to the number of 500 well mounted men, with four
pieces OF artillery, and IN position commanding, that
II seemed to be impossible to gam any point by which
our troops could be protected from the most calling gall
ing fire OF their artillery They had formed, as before
stated, on the north bank within 300 yards Of the river
and presented front, consisting of their whole force in
three divisions One right the other our left and
the third in front with the artillery Our whole line adj
vanced, while skirmish was kept up by party Of the
enemy, and detachment OF ritlemen. On reaching
the south side OF the river the commodore dsnouned,
orded the stream, commanded the troops to pass over
which they did promptly, under the brisk fire OF the
my sartery on the opposite bank The commodore order
ed that our artillery should not be numbered until the OPP
pose side OF the river was gained as that was
effected, he ordered charge to take the hill directly in
N the teeth OF the enemys guns, which soon resulted IN
the entire possession OF the prominent point they had
Just occupied An attempt was made by the Calionians
TO- cut OIL our pack horses and cattle in the all of
which, however, with the exception of few horses,
were protected by in the most credtabe
am not sufficiently skilled in military tactics to give a
definite account of the battle; but the skill in manage
ment and determined courage and bravery Of our COM
modore, gave to all the fullest confidence of a victorious
result OF this brilliant affair The first gun fired was aimed
by the commodore, before the charge made up the
HILL Chs superior skill gunney, and ondness of
csng big guns never appeared greater advantage than
on this occason,) and overthrow the enemys gun which
had Just poured forth its thunder midst Finding
the hill in possession, and artillery having gained
the desired point cannonading was now kept up for
some time, the commodore continuing to aim the guns
ordering his men to lay down until the moment he was
ready to fire, by which means, many valuable and
and brave fellows lives saved the Californans
continued for some time to fire their artillery, without
much effect For brevity, must leave out many par-
culars. Having driven our enemy before us, we now
made our camp for the night the very hill they had
tried so hard to defend, and where they intended Gas
wounded not possible for to ascertain they
carried Immediately oil on their horses all who fell Our
loss did not exceed 20 killed and wounded in both fights
''Jaauary OH The enemy met us again to-day on
the plains OF the Mesa, the city, and with bold and
determined effort. tried lines every sde in brisk
cannonading with several attempts to charge in upon
hours, when General Flores said to his men, Il have
but another discharge of artillery to make, and my last
request Is that you will make bold and determined
charge last resort This they attempted, but the
firm and steady in which troops continued TO
defend themselves, repealed the attempt at charge, and
found ourselves again victorious in the second days
fight The first days fight lasted one and half hour
Alright encamped near the battle ground and on the
morning of the 10th, marched into the city, and took pos
session. while the adjacent hills were glisenng with the
ances OF enemies, who forced 10 dispense. When
il is recoected that all work to defend ourselves our
baggage acaggons, CATTLE horses and pack mules, had to
be done on foot while our enemies were mounted on
first rate horses is it not remarkable that we should
have been so successful But it done on the go-
rous Sth of January, together with the following day
OF the result of both days. proud 10 boasts but the
sth was, indeed brilliant affair; cry was New
Orleans | can say nothing new of the officers and
men individuality but doubt full justice will be done
to all by the official report OF the commodore
to the events of the two days, and glad that live to
write you. The balls and bullets made lively music
me, but fortunately they passed by The success
them very bold and arrogant and there not
among u.s. who not anxious to establish the credit
of the American arms in this country"