The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-04-16
interesting from Lower California.
OUR SAN DIEGO CORRESPONDENCE.
UNITED STATES SHIP PORTSMOUTH,

UNITED STATES SHIP PORTSMOUTH, I
SAN DIEGO, March 3, 1854 !
Voyage Of the United States Steamship Portsmouth, from
Saw Fyomcisco to Ensenada-Her anchorage opposite
walkers Ca~p-Confusion Of the Faibusters-Fqight Of
COL Walker to San Vicnse-Miseraoe Condition Of
His Aen-Hauling Dopn Of His Flag-Disposal Of
ne Prisoncs-Prcsidentidl Spells, dc.
Feeling rather inclined to write little this evening,
shall do So and know of better subject to write upon
than the flibusterng movements in this part Of the
globe.
We arrived in this port this morning FIVE days from
the bay Of San Quinton and days from
Fort McKibben, as it was called by Col. Walker.
On the third of February left San Francisco in COM
pany with the steamer Columbus she having been char
tered by Capt Dorwn, by order of government We
arrived in the bay of Todes Santos and anchored oil En-
ssnada the afternoon of the 9th, opposite Walkers
headquarters where his flag of the New Republic las
he called it, floating to the breeze The nag is red
white, red, and two stars
Soon after our arrival it clearly to be seen that
sudden appearance opposite to his encampment had
created great confusion among the fbusters they
evidently much alarmed, and Col Walker having learnt
that we had been sent there to dispense him and his
party took the hint, and the night of the 18th
he, with all his party, excepting FIVE wounded and ten
wen men, deserted Fort Mckibben, and took up their
quarters a rancho at San Vicente.
On the morning of the 18th Capt. Dorwin despatched
of our officers and men shore to see what
ing party in sad condtion-nothing but beef to eat.
The wounded in particular were in suffering condition.
laying on some blankets spread on hides laid the cold
damp ground.
The poor wounded ones we're not SO badly injured az
Gilman but they found in shocking condition.
They having been informed that if they would give up
AL connection with the expedition they should receive
every aid from and, American citizens they
should be properly taken of and sent back to San
Francisco they took until the morning decide
In the meantime five Of the healthy spiked the two
hed pieces, and then left for San Diego by land. Had
So n mart N
in the encampment there cannot be the least doubt but
they would all have been massacred.
On the morning of the 18th the obnoxious flag was
hauled down, which was signal that Capt. d. 9 pro-
position would be accepted. 1t W. A. Parker, Purser
with cots from the ship sent shore with all pos
sbe speed and Col Gilman and the other four wounded
Columbus where all of their wounds properly at
tended to. Chicken soup, wines, &c, &c, were admin
stsred to them freely and they were full of thanks for
being thus once more made comfortable.
On the morning of the 10th the Columbus steamed up
and made the best of her up to San Diego where she
arrived the same afternoon On the next day these men
were all transferred to the steamer Southerner and
forthwith started for San Francisco On her arrival there
by order of Capt. Dornn, the wounded to be
sent to the United States Hospital the healthy
set Free Poor Gilman complained bitterly of the hard
tiers only steps him. yet he only called in
to see him but three times during all the long time he
lay in this sad condition.
Having learnt from some Mexcans that there were two
suspicious vessels laying off and off the Bay of San
Quinton we left Ensenada the morning of the 25th in
day. Finding all things quiet and vessels in sight,
We left and proceeded to this place We shall wood
and water ship here, and in few days, in
company with the Columbus, proceed back to Ensenada
and on arrival there if and necessary from the
movements of Walker shall proceed together to La
Paz and Guaymas, in the Gulf of Lower California;
otherwise we find the expedition about breaking up,
they will all be offered free passage in the Columbus
back to San Francisco, and we will proceed way
to Valparaiso, touching at Mazatlan and Acapulco.
Officers and men are all in good health
Since this written we have just received the news
that Walker and his party had made attack upon the
rancho of Mr.. J. Vandeman, American gentleman,
and robbed him of all his horses CATTLE Sheep every
eatable article his rancho. His is now in this
place. and says that his fathers loss very heavy
deed he states that the fbusers threatened shoot
him and his father down il they made resstan
After taking everything they wanted they left and
turned to San Vicente like many thieves to their
hiding hole They complete gang Of land pirates.