The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-12-25

| fof the Unos. /
/ Land Opera lions Sf Naval Forces
Eniraei from he Notes Of Officer The Land Opera
lions Of The Naval Force Of he United States IN Cali
| for.sa and Sonora during the Var wah Msrioo,
On The 23d OF July. 1916. Commodore Stockton as
sumed command of the United States naval forces on The
west coast of Mexico.
In taking this important responsibility, the obligations
lot justice, the importance OF discipline, well the
ward of merit and virtue the constant rule OF his
duct BY the union OF lberay and justice he gained the
love and confidence OF his officers and men, and firmly
abshed the affections Of that portion OF The Inhabitants
who disposed TO be friendly TO cause and in
spired all with portion OF his noble spirit He incu-
Gated the sautay lessDn that the forces OF the State
should compose one body, and be animated by soul
The utility OF such instruction manifested, as
events shortly proved.
The restless and d scontenled part OF Caliiornans,
knowing the Commodores force to be small and expect
INK from Mexico, secretly organized an nsurrec
on with General Flores at their head, which broke
early in October, 1896 in all The country south OF the
bay OF San Francisco, and commenced their operations
by instantly expeliDg the small attachments of troops
stationed Santa Barbara. San Diego San Pelro and the
"Cuidad de los Angeles
Nearly all the country thus suddenly reaken by
the enemy, and measures Immediately adopted by |
the Commodore for quelling this unexpected movement
and chastisng its authors His force consisted of about
three hundred seamen and hundred NOTWITHSTANDING
all that could be safely taken from the shps-and two
small companies OF mounted rhemen, composed OF hardy
western pioneers, who had emgrated that country be-
lore the war That OF the enemy was eight hun
dred men, equipped and mounted excellent horses
The battalion drilled for several weeks by Breve,
Captain (now Brevet Major Zeilin, of the United States
marine corps under the supervision OF the Commodore
himself Leuenanls acted field officers, passed mid
| shipmen captains. and mdshipnen as leutenanls.
The prejudices which sailors usually entertain against
the performance OF the duties OF soldier over
and a short thew xypr able tn
daily duties OF camp, most OF the evolutons of bat
taon to form and reduce square, and the various load
ings and 6rngs with the regularity promptness and pre-
cison OF regular troops.
| But when the Commodore had proceeded thus far,
other obstacles resented themselves; for il not in
numbers only that the weakness of his little amy con-
sisted but in proper arms, ammunition tents provisions
and clothing It's deficiency was, in fact such rem.
der il Inadequate 10 the great purpose for which il was
intended and INFERIOR in all these respects to The enemy
which il destined to encounter In addition TO these
depressing and unpromising circumstances, there
general of commissarys and quaermasters stores
money, and artillery.
Amidst all these dshearenng circumstances the hope
OF conquerng and restoring peace in California appeared
TO minds less vigorous less sangune and less brave than
Stocktons TO be chimerca and the attempt both useless
and dangerous The force under his command was not
sufficient in numbers or quality TO render
probable according TO principles OF calculation
and the prospect of its being diminished might reasonably
be entertained. AT this particular PERIOD the Commo-
doe might. with much popriey, have addressed his
eminent in the language used by celebrated Ro
man general in similar situation, that f you wish
should live send sproyisons you desire that we should
conquer, send ammunition, and men," Yet rely
ing on the courage OF his companions stimulated
too, by anxious desire TO serve his county, and
couaged by the high expectations formed by his
ment of his he formed the noble resolution 10
take the field with his little band OF sailor soldiers and
In he pf he nd
discipline of his troops, for Indeed, he seemed
TO possess that "invncble temper of mind which rises
superior TO every misfortune and derives resources
from adversely"
| The command was composed OF eight battalion
panies two of horse, battery of artillery, party of
sappers and miners and differed follows two
panies of mounted femen, (vounteers) under Captains
Hensly and Rusew, commanded by Brevet Major A. ii.
Gillespie, United States marine corps battery OF ar
ucry, tseamen) commanded by Lieutenant X. l.. Thigh
man and Acting Master w. H. Thompson, United States
navy; one company OF United States marines, CON-
manded by Brevet Captain Zein and Lieutenant H. b
Watson, OF the same corps; company A. tseamen)
: Acting Master J. Guest commanding -Nidshipmen T.
Lee and b. +. Wells; company :" b." (seamen) Lieut.
w. b. Renshaw, United States navy, commanding
Midshpmen q. f. Morgan, 7. II. Haywood, and
r. C. Duval, acting lieutenants; company &c" (sea-
) men, Acting Lieutenant B. f. b. Hunter, United States
navy, commanding -NIidshpman L. Grafton, acting
lieutenant; company 3D." (seamen) Acting Lieu
tenant T. s. Higgins United States navy, commanding
Midshipmen w. Philips and A. Allmand, acting leu,en
ants; company "E,' (seamen,) Acting Lieutenant j. f.
S,enson United States navy, commanding Midshipman
T. Sheppard acting lieutenant; company f. (seamen)
Passed Midshpman J, M. Duncan communicable.
, shipman J. Parish, acting Lieutenant company &C.,
(seamen) Sailmaker j. Reed, commanding sappers and
, miners Carpenter J Soutbwck commanding
Staff officers Acting Major, Lieutenant 3 A. Rowan
United States navy; Chief Commissary OF Subsistence
purser W. Speden, United States navy; Assistant Com
mssaries Lieutenant G. Minor United States navy, and
CAPTAIN D. Fisher, California volunteers; Acting Quar-
,ermaster Captain Bidne California volunteers; AIDS
TO Commodore Stockton, Lieutenant A. f. v Gray, un
ted States navy and Captain Miguel de Pidana, Calior
MIA volunteers; Commodore's Secretary, VIM. Summons
Medical officers: Assistant Surgeons A. IL Henderson
and c. Rvers6eld United States navy
The force being thus organized, and The Commodore
having arranged all his plans. and seeing everything IN
readiness commenced his advance from San Diego on the
2ph Of December. 1916, for La Cudad de los Angeles
accompanied by Brgadier General Keamy, who had ar
rived few days before from New Mexico, and gener
ousy Joined the Commodore in his projected movement
The Generals force consisted Of w. II. Emory United
States typographical engineers, acting assistant adluan
general Assistant Surgeon s. Griffin, U. s army and
detachment of sixty United States dragons, acting as
infantry commanded by Captain H. 5. Turner and Lieu
tenant Davidson.
After aborious march OF ten days, through rough
and mountainous country, they arrived on the sth OF
. Ianuarv Isa7 on the left bank Of "E Rio San Ga
h;l - with the Commodore and General at their head
: ii tornd aboui seven hundred Cafornians posted on