The Nevada journal., 1853-12-16
Defeat Of the FiIlib usteres,

probable capture of the rest. The news is
supplied by the s. F. Herald extra. The news
was brought to San Diego by vacquero, and
is probably one sided. We do not place much
reliance in the news, although it is probable
the Americans have met with severe repulse
On the Sd Dec, party of twenty from the
force of Americans at Encinada made All attack
upon the ranch of La Grulla, inhabited by some
halfdozen families, and carried off beef and pro-
visions This place is but one league from San
Tomas, and upon tidings of the above invasion
reaching there, all the inhabitants turned out
and went in pursuit Of the party, whom they
overlook and engaged in slight skirmish,
which resulted in the loss OF two killed on the
part OF the Americans and two taken prisoners.
The Americans continued their retreat to
Encinada in good order and with the rest Of
the force entrenched themselves in the adobe
house at that place. Here the fighting con-
tinued, our account says with the loss of ten or
twelve Americans. The Mexicans surrounded
the house, and prevented all ingress or egress,
and effectualy cut off the retreat to the vessel,
by destroying all their boats.
The Mexican force is commanded by Negrata,
the military chief at San Tomas, who singular
ly enough was liberated from prison to take
command of the suddenly raised forces. It
appears that noted robber and outlaw named
Melendres, who was banished to the mountains
by decree of the military commandant, col
lected sufficient body of choice spirits like
himself, made successful descent upon the
town, and imprisoned his old enemy and all
the other authorities beside This enterprise
was hardly consummated, when an express from
La Grulla brought intelligence of the attack
upon that place by the Americans.
The imprisoned authorities were Immediately
liberated, and oil Joined in the pursuit of the
common enemy. Some of our prominent citi-
zens, who are large owners of stock in that
country, manifest considerable alarm at the
present aspect of affairs in that quarter one,
perhaps having the greatest amount of proper
ty OF that kind at stake Don Juan Brandini
has set out with considerable force to visit
his different ranches there and take the proper
steps for the preservation Of such portions Of
his property as have not yet been sacrificed
His reported losses of cattle, horses and men
are very great, but are, without doubt, very
much overrated.
A rumor had been circulated that the entire
party had surrendered at discretion, and were
taken to San Tomas, but it is not generally
believed the report coming from persons who
9
little distance from here, and many miles
from Encinada Tne impression with people
here is that good deal Of sharp fighting must
be done before the Americans will give them
selves up.
Struggling travellers in squads of two and
three, have arrived in town, at different times
of the day aud night, and silently have departed
for the lower country, saying little or nothing
about the business they are engaged upon, but
they are, without doubt, an auxiliary force to
the Americans, quietly passing into the Mexl
can territory, in order to avoid the interference
T of the T. S. military authorities in the neigh
borhood
The military force now in this vicinity consist.
Of two companies of artillery, under Colone
Burton, and Lieut. Stoneman's company o.
dragons all at the Mission Of San Diego
about ten miles from the Mexican territory
and one hundred from Encinada. At For
Yuma, there are three companies OF the &c
Infantry now about to be relieved from thai
post, and they may be soon on their march te
San Diego, should the Government take any
active steps to interfere in this matter.
The Commercial advertiser Of the 18th inst.
has the following: .i'eT 'ts~
The steamer Southerner, Captain Hilliard
arrived yesterday in three days from San Diego
We have files of the Los Angeles Star up t.
Nov. 26. We have verbal accounts OF the
death of one of Capt. Walkers party, and the
probable death Of three others, under the fol
lowing circumstances. The party, consisting
of four of the command, started from Encinadf
for San Diego, where they arrived in safety
bearing dispatches, and with the intention o
procuring supplies. Having transacted theil
business, they returned well mounted, ane
when within seven miles OF Encinada, were
waylaid and fired at by party of Me1icans.-
It is known that one OF the party, Mr.. Charles
Schaefer. was killed, and up to the latest ad
vices no tidings had been obtained of the Others
Thus the first American blood has been spilled
in the cause of Fillibusterism on the Pacific
coast The above is from reliable authority
and no other persons are known to have beer
killed or injured. t.....- ....... .l..a.