The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-07-30
TIL E MON.

about 5000 feet above camp, foundmyse surrounded by
peaks. | would have gone farther but was alone and
exhausted. fog overhung the west range, SO that my
view was cut off; else in one direction think might
have seen the Pacific The mountain was covered
with loose OF granite round but whether BY wa
Ter or not could not tell some OF toem evidently ras
ments of the piece, lay side by side.
December ld-The first day OF winter; we lett camp
at the usual hour and found the air cold and chilly The
mountain peaks the coas-range are covered with
snow slightly The whole of yesterday these peaks were
covered with clouds which drlfted OIL IN loose masses
over the desert This morning most OF the clouds had
disappeared and strong wind blew from the west Our
route for the day was devious through passes,
without any great eevaon--a bad road Tor our little
howitzers and impossible, without work, for wagons.
We marched eighteen miles, and encaup AT the Vegas
San Felipe, the deserted Indian village the rocks
mostly of mica slate and granite The water OF the
Vegas is apparently fresh, but the adjacent swamp is
salt, and the grass bad for animals especially at this
seasonthe grass, the long, salty grass OF the Del Nore
and the soda grass.
December 3d-Marched at The usual hour Our ami
mails having spent bad night from the cold AMI bad
grass, the few remaining horses, except one, out
to-day, having been puged by the grass and very much
weakened. Our route was now over rolling country
About six miles met MeXIcans escaping out OF
the country, with women and children allowed them
TO pass free They informed MS OF the existence OF
still in this country, so that we count now upon meeting
the enemy 1t appears that there armed forces OPP
posed each other in the field but that generally, par
ties of California rancheros be found in every quar-
ter. We will probably have long time with an unseen
enemy, with no pitched battles Arrived at Warmers
ranch, very UNEXPECTEDLY TO them This point is about
sixty miles from San Diego and perhaps eighty from the
Pueblo. 1t is occupied by an American from Connects
cut who settled in this country and became naudi2ed,
married, &c He is on the main route leading TO
Sonora and of is very much exposed TO both par
ties He is said 10 be prisoner in the hands OF the
Americans Our approach TO California improves to-day,
and part OF the day under The shade OF fine live
oak trees and, the monnian-iops clumps OF lofty
pines AS we came to Warmers, got upon the west
slope OF mountains and here nature had made pretty
successful efforts clohe her nakedness the shrubs
and trees almost hid the rocks OF the mountains and the
hills had grass in abundance, but still nothing like the
uxurian growth OF the prares OF Missouri, but doubt
less most enchanting sight when 1t Is green, to who
has Just crossed the desert We found Warmers place
which would be considered poor location in the United
States, with hot and cold spring on his pacea COOL
place for stock but bad for graln one would think We
told wheat yields thirty The labor is performed
by California Indians, who stimulated to work by SO
per month and repeated hoggkgs. We encamped quar-
ter of mile west of the warm spring Having heard Of
herd of mules fifteen miles hence, belonging TO Flores,
the nsurgent Chief Lieut. Davidson, with twenty five
men, was despatched, with Carson and Saunders, 10
if could get remount; they started at dark Mr.
Stokes, an Englshman, who lives fifteen mics hence,
came to camp, and gave information that Com. Stock
ton was Diego with the larger part of his naval force
that he had to remain neutral letter sent to Com
Stockton; and it was determined to remain at this point
until morning, and determine whether to march upon
San Diego the Pueblo, to halt the Sonora outlet
until it known what was to be done with the Amer
can prisoners said TO be in the hands of the rancheros
We hear that the Califonlans very savage, killing
any of their people whom they suspect OF reachery
and forcing those who are unwilling 10 JOIN them We
struck with the fact, that furious WIND blew IN
our faces we approached the coast range but, after
crossing it, we found all calm, and told that there
had been 10 wind.
December 3d-Leut Davidson and Carson returned
about noon, with large gang of tame and wild animals,
most of which are said belong to Flores, the California
general After them, came party OF French, English,
and Chian claiming their riding animals, they were
going out of the country, which the General gave
them. Many of the animals from the herd were
put into and arrangements made to secure the bal
ance by driving them into safe place in the
tain Lay by for the rest of the day; did not have time
examine the aqua caene, but is said to be remark
able.
December lh-Marched at O. and took the route for
San Diego to communicate with the naval forces and to
establish our depot, not knowing yet in what state we
would find the country. Marched Is miles in rain cold
and disagreeabe and encamped Santa isabella former
ranch of the San Diego mission, now, by hook crook
the possession of an Engishman named Stokes. Here
hospitality was held out to u.s. Stokes having gone to
San Diego we ate heartily of sewed and roast mutton
and tortillas We heard of party of Californaus of
50 men encamped distance from this but the informant
varied from Is miles in his rendering too
uncertain to make dash them in dark stormy night
so we slept till morning.
The foregoing is literal copy of the rough notes of
my late aid ecamp Capt A. r. Johnston, sdragoons,
who was killed at daybreak the 9th of December,
1876 in an action with the Ca!iiornans at San Pascual
S. W. KEARNY, Brig. Gen
HEADQUARTERS ARMY THE WEST,
San Diego, (California,) Jan. 25, ls47.