The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-11-08

ment 10 the post whenever attack was anticipated
returned TO their homes
Towards the latter part of December the Dale arrived
to procure water, and remained few days This little
ship rendered good service in the gulf and while holding
Guaymas successfully under Commander Serdge, Lieut.
Yard, and Commander Rudd, some most spirited and
daring enterprises even to the surprising Of the enemys
camp, were performed by Lieuts Craven, Smith, Stany,
and 1anseil, both by boats and by landing parties.
Intelligence began to reach La Paz that the enemy
daily increasing IN numbers the valley of San Jose, it
afordng good support for his animals The inland com
munication was cut off, and the reports contradictory
Finally, it was ascertained that two officers PASSED Mid
shpnen Duncanand Warley) and three belonging
the post OF San Jose, while attempting go the bay
SIDE had been intercepted and made prisoners and il
reported that The post itself short of provisions To
ascertain the actual state of things, Acting Lieut. McRae
going down the coast small leaky balandra landed
at night. communicated with Lieut.. Haywood, and
ceeded IN getting board the soop againa bold and
hazardous enterprise, flor the Indians gave quarter
executed with split and Intelligence for this officer,
tnulng on 10 Mazaan, carried the necessary informa
ton TO the commander in-chief, who Immediately de-
spatched the Southampton to La Paz, that the Cyane
might go to the relief of San Jose
II appeared that the enemy, abandoning all hopes of
efectng anything against La Paz, with the exception of
detachment at his headquarters San Antonio, sixty
miles from La Paz, concentrating all his force, al
ways variousy estimated from four six hundred men,
i've under Lieut.. Haywood, who had successfully
and herocay repulsed their repeated attacks but his
provisions nearly exhausted, his water cut off,
while the enemy drawing hourly closely
around the mesh intended TO envelope him. The town
abandoned by the inhabitants, most of them driven
off by the enemy; others doubtful OF the result fearing TO
compromise themselves. The Mexican forces occupied
the large church and other strong buildings Topped and
barrlcaded; they arrogant and notwithstanding
the idea OF soop owar bringing relief saying one of
the frgates would have from Mazatlan and call
ing upon the post to surrender
The Cyane anchored the l4th February, in the
evening. Appearances in keeping with the worst
intelligence. The American flag flying, it is true ;
but than board believed it might be rtsse
and that the post had fallen. There calm deter
mination to retake it, if it had, at whatever cost
The valley between the beach and Quartet was occu.
pied by the enemy from three to four hundred strong
placed in ambush, and with full knowledge of the
ground The commander landed at daybreak, with
Lieutenants Rowan and Harrison, DR.. Maxwell, Acting
Master Fairfax, Midshpmen Vanderhorst, Lewis, and
Shepherd, two companies of sailors and five marines
one hundred and one all told They encountered spir-
tied resistance all the way up from the different covers
but the enemy always driven back, and well pun
ished AT one time he concentrated his forces in the
village of San Vicente, situated on mound through
which the column had to pass, giving him very advan-
tageous positions but steady advance drove him out
here, too. and in good style. The garrison seeing the
approach of the Cyane, under hot fire, formed,
and driving detachment of Mexicans out of the
town, came out to meet them, and joyous meet
in5 it OF all the services performed by the Off
and during the cruise this was the most crafty
ing they had brought relief to band OF brave men,
who had dore wonders to relieve themselves. But no
resolution long contend with thirst and hunger and
these were close at hand
The garrison was provisioned and strengthened, the
valley Immediately around San Jose cleared, COM
nunicaton established with the ship, and scouting
parties were organized One of these, twenty strong
rot surrounded by large boiy but Acting Lieutenant
McRae, who was in charge. with Midshipman Shep-
herd and Corporal Menzesheimer, (marines) were so
cool in their emergency, and the sailors wthal steady,
that they extcaed themselves without loss killing five
OF the enemy. party from the Quartet, uRder Passed
Midshpman Stevens, had gone out quickly to their sup
port, when the enemy retreated An attempt was made
to surprise the enemys camp at Santa Annita, eleven
miles out, by night march, with one hundred
men from the ship and garrison, who encircled
it at early dawn; but the enemy getting word through
an Indian spy had suddenly decamped, leaving his
fires burning, &C.; his forge and amorer were taken.
Animals then brought in; mounted parties OF sailors
and marines with few bold and friendly Californans,
were equipped and in few days there not enemy
left from Cape San Lucas to Santiago, distance of near
seventy miles The former inhabitants returned to their
homes; the gardeners went to their hueras; the corn
was planted the cut; the smoke from the su-
gar mills once curled the beautiful valley, and
this change from desoaton to smiling and happy popu-
laton was gratifying to all who witnessed it.
1t should be mentioned that Lieut.. Col Burton having
gathered in horses mounted party of thirty men,
under Capt Steel and Lieut. Scott accompanied by Lieut.
Halleck engneers and DIR. Perry, surgeon of the reg
ment had surprised San Antonio, having garrison
quite equal in number to the party, liberated the five
American prisoners, took two Mexican officers, and
came near capturing the communicating Sergeant
Hpwood, a valuable man. was killed. The party
absent only twenty seven hours, the distance from La
Paz to San Antonio being near sixty miles IT was
brilliant affair." and highly creiable TO all concerned.
In the mean time, reinforcement of two companies
reached La Paz from Upper California, and Lieut. Col
Burton Immediately took the field, marching upon San
Antonio, where he made prisoner of Peneda the late mil
itary chief An express sent through to inform him
of the ejecment of the enemy from the valley of San
Jose and that he had fallen back to Todos Santos the
west coast This intelligence had already reached him,
and marching upon Todos Santos, he suddenly
upon him. and charging CALAMITY. routed him in all d
rections. Capt Naglee, with mounted company, pur-
sued those fugitives who took the road TO the
1orhward, while the mounted parties from the ship and
Quartet ranging from Cado no to Santiago, intercepted
those who making for the gulf shore They brought
in between sixty and seventy prisoners, including the
Gefe Poiifieo and commandcr-in Chief and cap
tains and thus ended the war in Lower California.
Official notice then received of the armistice,
companied with vague rumors that Lower California was
not included in the eaya sad blow to its very best
people, many of whom had committed themselves to the