The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-05-04
HEADQUARTERS, ARMY OF THE WEST

Brig Gen R. JONES, Adjutant General U. S. A.
Headquarters ARMY OF THE WEST,
San Diego Upper California, Dec, 10, 1916.
Sin, In my communication to you OF yesterdays date
brought the reports of the movements of my guard up
n ths morning OF the 9Th instant in camp near rancho
Of Mr. Stokes, (Santa Mana) about 40 miles from San
Having learned from Capt Gillispe of the volunteers
that there was an armed party OF Californians, with
number OF extra horses at San Pasqual, three leagues
stant on road leading to this place, sent Lieutenant
Hammond, ist dragoons, with few men 10 make re-
opnoissance of them He returned two in the morn
Inc Of the 9th instant reporting that he had found the
ay in the place mentioned, and that he had been SEEM
Though not pursued by them. then determined that
| would march for and attack them by break of day
arrangements accordingly made for the purpose My
adde camp Capt Johnson dragoons' was assigned TO
the command OF the advanced guard OF twelve Dragons
mounted on the best horses had then followed about
fy Dragons under Captain Moore, mounted, with but
few EXCEPTIONS on the tired mules they had ridden from
Santa Fe New Mexico, 1880 miles) then about twenty
volunteers of Captain Gibsons company under his com
nand and that Of Captain Qspie; then followed our
Two mountain howitzers with DRAGONS to manage them
and under the charge OF Lieutenant Davidson, of the
regiment The remainder OF the dragons, volunteers
and citizens employed by the officers of the staff &c.
were placed under the command OF Major Swords,
Quartemaser,) with orders TO follow on our trail with
the baggage and to see to its safety
As the day december @ dawned, we approached the
enemy at San Pasqua who was already in the saddle
when Captain johnson made furious charge upon them
with his advance guard and was IN short time after sup
ported by the dragoons after which the enemy gave
way having kept up from the beginning continued fire
upon us Upon the retreat of the enemy, Captain Moore
led of rapidly IN pursuit, accompanied by the dragons,
mounted on horses and was followed, though slowly BY
the others their tired mules the enemy we'll mounted
and among the best horsemen in the world after retreat
ne about hall a mile, and seeing interval between
Captain Moore with his advance, and the dragons com
ng his support, rallied their whole force, charged
with their ances and on account OF their greatly superior
numbers, but few OF front remained untouched for
five mnues they held the ground from lis, when our men
coming up, we again drove Them and they fled from The
h not TO return TO it, which occupied and encamp-
ed upon.
A most melancholy duty now remains for me: ii is to
report the death OF my aidde-camp, Captain Johnson,
who shot dead al the commencement of the action
Of Captain Moore who was lanced just previous to the
final retreat OF the enemy, and of Lieutenant Hammond
also lanced, and who survived but few hours We
had also killed two sergeants two corporas, and ten
pnvaes OF the st dragoons private of the voun-
eers, and one man, engage in the typographical de.
fartment Among the wounded are myself, tin two
places. Lieutenant Warner typographical engineers lin
eers, the former in three paces,) one sergeant one
tugeman, and nine privates of the Dragons many of
these surviving from two to ten lance wounds, most of
them when endorsed and incapable of resistance.
Our howltzers not brought into the action but
coming to the front at the close of it, befo they were
turned 50 as to admit Of being fired upon the retreatng
enemy, the two mules before One Of them got alarmed,
and freeing themselves from their drivers, ran off and
among the enemy, and was thus lost to us.
The enemy proved to be party of about 100 Cafor-
mans under Andreas Pico, brother of the late governor
ne number of their dead and wounded must have been
considerable, though ! have no means of ascertanng
how many ustprevous to their final retreat they car
RED of all excepting SIX
The great nunber of our killed and wounded proves that
our officers and men have fully sustained the high charac
teand reputation of our troops and the victory thus
gained over more than double force, may assist in
forming the wreath of our national glory
have to return my thanks to many for their gaantry
and good conduct the field, and particularly to Capt
turner LIST dragons, assistant acting adjutant generally
and 10 Lieut. Emory, Typographical engineers, who were
acye the performance OF their dutes and in conveying
orders from me to the command
in the morning of the 18th, having made ambulances
Tor wounded and inferred the dead we proceeded on
our march, when the enemy showed himself occupying
ule hills IN our front, but which they left we APP
preached TILL reaching San BenadO, party of them took
possession OF hill to il, and maintained their posi-
uoa until attacked by our advance, who quickly drove
mem from ii, killing and wounding five OF their mum
oeE, with no loss on our part
.M account OF our wounded men, and upon the report
Oh me surgeon that rest necessary for them we re.
Lieut. GrAy, OF the navy in command of party of sail
OTIS and marines sent out from San Diego by Com Stock
on joined us We proceeded at 10, a. M, the enemy no
longer showing himself and On the 18th yesterday we
reached this place and have to offer my thanks to
vom Ntockton and all of his gallant command, for the
very many kind attentions we have received and con-
ue 10 receive from them
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
p. j. w. KEARNY, Brig. Gen u. s. A.
bng Gen. K. JONES, Adjutant General u s. A., Wash
ington.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF TIE WEST,
ouuad de los Angeles Upper California, JAM IL, lSI7.