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

eat of this traffic; but while so engaged were always
Exposed to the enemy's fire, who brought field artl
Isry and muskery to bear upon them from the sur
ronaing heights Three vessels were driven into the
he,kes under these circumstances and their cargoei
lstr,yed While returning from one OF these excur.
ons some large launches filled with strong guards o.
ld;ers put out from the old harbor intercept the
bas; these though the three smallest, under Leutenant
HARRISON Higgins, and Acting Master Stenson, formed
line bore down upon the launches, and opening upon
harn with musketry, soon drove them back int the
b,sakers and high and dry the beach. In all these
fairs the men and officers showed great galantTy, Ia
which the latter superadded skill and management
store ship was anxiously looked for. but
rovsons were at low ebb. aad the blockade had to be
reGnqushed After looking into San Bias second time,
returning off Mazatan, and crossing to fill up her
,v,er at San Jose. Lower California. where of,
war anchored for the first time, the Cyane had to make
b hest of her way San Francisco, where she arrived
b IA, December after the shortest passage made
Isvsnteen days) her crew short ratons and the
ksakest season. without Shoes but also without muir
Stirring intelligence awaited the Cyane at San Fran.
cisco Since her departure from the coast in August
strong reaction in the feelings of the country and for
mable resistance to American authority, had sprung up
for reasons unnecessary to meRtion Important positions
where garrsons from the squadron had not been left or
where ships could not protect such were left had
been reaken by the enemy. AT San Diego the detach-
mept from the California battalion had been driven out
INIT reinforced by the captain and crew of American
wbale-ship. had gallanty regained its post. Capt Tai
hot with guard of ten twelve men at Santa Barbara
had been summoned to surrender but refusing. had
marched out with his arms, and made good his
the whole distance 10 Monterey, about four hundred
miles, after most harassing march, having displayed
heroic gaantry and endurance. AT "Los Angeles" the
captal another detachment of the California battalion
surrounded by large force with their supplies cut off
had been obliged embark at San Pedro after hon
orabe capituation. The two frigaes had Immediately
gone down on hearing of the loss of the capital, with
the intention of reaking and re-estabshng the gar
rson; but San Pedro was found an unsuitable point to
operate from, and the Congress stood for San Diego
while the Savannah sent north TO hold the upper
country for even there he most friendly poon) the
enemy organizing.
The Savannah, with the Warren, was thus holding
the bay of San Francisco Besides Yerba Buena. the
headquarters of the district, they had force in small
schooner in the straits of Carquinez. under Lieut. Car
ter garrisons at Sonoma the northern, and Mt the
Pueba of San Jose on the southern shore of the bs-
respectively under Lieuts Maury and Pinkney The
Savannah had moreover party of sailors atSan Diego
and another Monterey. where the Congress had also
left detachment, and the Cyane's marines were there
Indeed the officers and of the squadron were dis
seminated the whole coast; every ship, too, was
short of complement but these naval garrisons, popular
Y,
estimate of their prowess held matters in check much
beyond what their numerical strength would to JUS
tiy About this period the arrival of the Dale, Capt
NlcKean welcome accession leaving her marines
at Yefba Buena she sailed in few days for Monterey
the garrison of which place was without the protection
OF a vessel OF war.
But the enemy active, driving off the animals;
had ca ured lieutenant and six men but few miles
from Yerba Buena who were foraging after cattle; in
lad tofY cbo,t.
ships would not arrive but every up and
dong.
may well be stated in this connexion, that the
movement of the enemy in the upper district was put
down soon he had concentrated his forces This
he did at the mission of Santa Clara, sixty miles from
Yeba Buena, under Sanchez. An expedition, first sug-
gested by Lieutenant Pnkney, commanding at San Jose,
whose position gave him an opportunity of watching
the enemys motion, organized 1t consisted of
party of sailors from the ships, with piece of artillery
under Acting Master De Pough some marines from the
garrison OF Yerba Buena, under Lieut. Tans and party
of its spirited citizens under MIR Smth-all under Capt
Marston of the Marines with DR.. Duval, medical officer
Another force was to march from San Jose, under Capt
Wehber; while Lieutenant Maddox, raising a mounted
party of some of the Congress, three four
Marines enlisted volunteers, and deserers from whale
shps-sxty-fve in all-came the whole distance from
Monterey over one hundred miles 1t was in the
height of the rainy season; the country was flooded
round Santa Clara the boys and gaiches almost mpass
able; while the streams which the party from Monterey
had TO ford all swollen and the roads in dreadful
condition. The parties, however, came in nearly at the
time, Just after the enemy had made dash at the
erba Buena force Selling the moment when their piece
Of artillery seemed irrecoverably begged The enemy
was driven back and, being completely hemmed in by
the three parties, asked for TERMS laid down his arms,
and liberated the lieutenant and six above alluded
to. Thus was the upper district quieted.
Lieut.. Col Fremont had broken up his camp at San
JUAN some ten leagues from Monterey, and commenced
his march south. The Cyane's prize, the Julia, Lieut.
Seden had been placed at his disposition by Captain
Mervlne, and she had proceeded to Monterey, taken
on board a piece of artillery, and other articles,
which she delivered to the battalion at Santa Bar
oara She then followed the coast to give protection
10 the marching force, where the road passing close to
The waters edge, commanded by the impending
heshts but these in turn could be swept by the schoon
eTs gun This specially the at the remarkable
pass OF the Rincon where the column had greatly to
extend ITSELF narrow the way. which, debouch-
ing upon mound, the whole force could have been
aked and seriously impeded by few resolute men.
The schooner in performing this service frequently
close to the breakers, and in imminent peril The CON-
nander-n-c chief, Commodore Stockton, was at San D
ego; he had succeeded in getting his large rgate into
It's small and shallow harbor, and was preparing with
great energy TO retake the capital but under very ad
verse crcumstances-short of provisions, of clothing
and without funds animals, too very scarce and
the few obtained were only procured at great risk the
parties sent out Orders found at San Francisco
Tor the Cyane to join him Immediately. Filling up her
water and getting what scanty supplies the place afford