The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-08-29
CONTINUED

" MAJOR General.
SUBSTANCE OF MR. BENTON'S SPEECH.
[coNTRuEDl
The march from San Diego to Los Angeles. and the
,so actions the way and his report of these affairs
are the next head OF inquiry INTO Cen kearnys mero-
rous conduct in California which requires to be ex-
ahmed To understand tins part OF the subject II must
he remembered that Stockton and Fremont had conquer
ed California in July and August 1916, taken possession
of the capital, Los Angeles, left garrison there and
other places in the south, and Stockton returned 10 Mon
,erev and Fremont The Sacramento hundred
miles from Los Angeles In September an instruction
broke Out at Los Angeles Stockton returned in his ships
N San Diego one hundred and thirty five miles south Of
las Angeles and Fremont was ordered increase his
battalion TO 500 men and to follow. He had embarked
on the Pacifc--the second time he had done it, and the
first North American that had conducted land troops
upon that sea-and had been twenty days at sea
upon five days raons, when merchant vessel informed
him of the nuity OF proceeding In that directions that
The Caornans had driven Oft all the horses and cattle
from about San Diego; and that he could not mount or
march his battalion it there The lnformatloA was
uue and he acted upon it, returned 10 Monterey, mount
ed and supplied his battalion, and IN the beginning OF De-
cember commenced his land march OF four hundred miles
TO combine with Stockton in the southern military opera
TONS of which the suppression OF the instruction and
the reoccupaon of the capital Los Angeles was the OBJ
ect On the day of General kearnys action at San Pas
quail Fremont just commencing his march from
Monterey Stockton had sent Captain Hensley to PENN
suIar California to obtain horses and CATTLE none being
pocurabe where he was and by the 18th OF December
their plan was ripe for contamination, Hensey having
turned by that day with 300 head OF cattle, and l40 horses
and Fremont having that day crossed the Santa Bar
bara mountain in terrific storm from the Pacific ocean,
in which he lost a hundred horses, but made good the
passage with six pieces OF artillery, and all the supplies
Of an army in the field, raised without shilling, and for
which nothing has yet been paid He and Stockton were
then on that day ready to reap the fruits of their toll and
labor and for the second time to enter Los Angeles IN
triumph.
General Kearny was then at San Diego, his reduced
and shattered dragoon guard endorsed, and totally with
out the means of moving furong from the SentnelS OF
San Diego
The first law of honor with military is for one,
no superior to take from another to take from lnte
ror the honor of terminating his operations when
vegng to successful conclusion 1t will be seen how
Kearny observed this law
On the goth of December Stockton moved At the mo-
men of departure General Kearny came to Commodore
Stockton, and asked who was to command the troops
The answer shall be given in the Commodore's own
words, reported to the government IN his despatch OF
staniay before the court martial The despatch says:
81 said that, commandments, would command
in person But SAID me- mean h Tno TO the
an the lieutenant of the Cyane, to do The General
observed that he thought he was entitled to that command
replied tina. Mr. Rowan had been appointed merely to
eve from the details OF the march and camp and that
he Che GeneIa) was willing TO perform that duty did
would give him the appointment with pleasure Lieut.
Rowan yielded, and Immediately nmoned the officers
around me, who were in readiness to march, and an
nounced them that General Kearny wonld take Mr. Roo
ans situation but that would remain commandments
march, during Which ordered where the troops were
march, the road hey to march, and when they
ing to the duties Of the commander of forces and the
governor OF the territory and paid more respect
Difference to sucn than Gen Kearny, and never
conspicuous than in the battles of the 9Th and 9h
of January. well as during march into the city
The testimony of the Commodore before the court
ta the same, DETAIL and with references to
sustain it. Now we will see in what manner General
Kearny reports all this to the government and what
claim TO the honors OF brevet will grow out of his
J,.s L., afch data lam = opI ID
dressed to the Adutan General, is in these words:
"SR. have the honor report, that the request of
Commodore Stockton (who in September last assumed the
title governor OF California; consented to take command
of an expedition TO this pace-he capital of the country
ans that the 18th December left San Diego with about
500 men, consisting 50 dsmounted dragons under Capt
Tarner 90 California volunteers, and the remainder of
marines and sailors, with battery of artillery Lieut.
Emory Typographical engneers) acted as assistant adj
general. Commodore Stockton accompanied We
proceeded Without seeing the enemy till on
the 9Th instant, when they showed themselves in full
of 600 men, with four pieces of artillery,
der their governor Floes) occupying the heights in front
of u.s. which commanded crossing of the river San Ga
brie and they ready oppose further progress The
necessary disposition oil our troops was Immediately made
by covering front with strong party of skirmishe rs
placing wagons and baggage train of ,hem and
protecting the TANKS and rear with the remainder OF the
the heigh,s and drove tue enemy from them after action
OF about IL hour during which they made charge upon
reaed and left possession OF the field, on which we
"The next day (the 9th instantly we proceeded on our
march the usual hour, the enemy in front and
TANKS; and when reached the plains Of the Mesa their
artillery again opened upon when their fire was return
ed by guns advanced; and, after lowering
around and for about two hours occasionally Skin
mishng with during that time, they concentrated their
force and made another charge left flank, which
was quickly epused shortly after which they retired, we
continuing our march and in the afternoon encamped on
the bank of the Mesa three miles below this city, which
entered the following morning without further moiesaton
"Ou losses in OF the 9Th and 9th instant
small, being private killed, and officers (Leut
Rowan OF the navy, and Captain Gillespie of the volun
eers) and eleven privates wounded. The enemy, mount
ed on fine horses and being the best riders in the world
carried of their killed and wounded and we know not the
number OF them though 1t must have been considerable
Both these reports cannot be true. They essen
tally and Treconceably contradictory and that on the
main point of the chief command, and in all the circum
stances which indicate that command. But this is not
all Capt Emory the adutant general, and messenger
Of Gen kearny brought in his report and all along his
track, and fast he passed. the contents OF the des
patch TRANSFERRED went into the public press, and received
essential additions the kearny side of the controver
sy-for by this time had become controversy who
was the commanding general. General Keamy was
sworn before the court MARTIAL and 10 the general
lac and 10 circumstances TO sustain IT, corresponding
with what had leaked out along the road the track OF
Capt Emory, all going to maintain that he was, and that
Commodore Stockton was not, cOmmantern chief upon
mat expedition. This my statement merely ntroducto
y to the evidence and to stand for nothing until sustained
oy the evidence. We will now produce the state
ment OF General Kearny AT pages ll6 and III of the
Fremont trial, this question and this answer occurs
Gen, Rearny, witness.C ross examination continued.
Question by member. Was Commodore Stockton re-
arded by you governor and commando OF
land and naval forces in California the march from San
pego 10 Los Angeles, any other time alter hfsr
communicated with him in California; and If what
extent and under what orders authority did
gard or recognise him and under whnt orders authority
uuCommodoe Stockton assume, attempt exercise tn,
functions OF governor and in chief in Caifor
ma and did the exercise of these functions by Commo