The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-02-22
California News.

Herald, who was one of the party under
Colonel Watkins, who went to the aid Of
"President" Walker, writes from Fort Nc.
Kibbin, at La Encinada, as follows:
Upon our arrival we were welcomed
most heartily by the little band at the fort,
who had for nearly week been skirmish-
ing with the enemy.
On Friday. December 2, Lieutenant
John McKibbin and his command Of sew
enteen men, were attacked while return
ing from San Thomas; private McCor-
mack was killed. Perry and Lockhart
were taken prisoners by the enemy. Their
loss we could not ascertain-though con.
siderable.
On the morning of the 9Th. general
attack wss made upon the house in which
President Walker and his men were quar-
tered. Their force consisted of eighty
cavalry and infantry, with one four-pound
cannon. Our force was thirty,five men
fit for duty.
Captain G. H. Gilman took command
Of party at the north end OF the house
Lieutenant J. P. McKibbin in command
at the south wing. The charge OF the en-.
envy s cavalry was covered by sharp.shoot-
ers, stationed under the hills, and among
the chapparal near the house, which caus-
ed our men much annoyance, not being
able to ascertain the exact locality of those
concealed. The action continued during
the day and a part of the night, During
the first half hour, Lieutenant P. McKib-
bin was mortally wounded; Captain c. II.
Gilman and prlvatss Hamilton, Mathews,
Braspole, Wells, and one other, were
wounded, q few others received slight
scratches.
The enemy were completely routed
from their strongest positions. but remain
ed within the immediate vicinity Of the
house. Their loss we could not ascertain
at the time. We remained besieged until
Friday, December 8, about 2 a. m. In
the morning Lieutenant Brewster orawled
to the top Of an adjoining hill, reconnoi.
tered the enemy, and returned without in
jury. Lieutenants Croker and Brewster.
in charge of twenty men, attacked and
routed the enemy's encampment, near the
south end Of the house. On the following
Sunday. December 12, Lieutenants Crock
er and Brewster. with the same party, at.
tackled and routed the enemy at the en-.
campment to the north Of the house, fore.
ing them to leave a savory breakfast,
which they were in the act Of partaking.
After this they concentrated upon hill
fronting our house, about three quarters
Of mile distant. Early on the morning
OF the 18th, Lieutenants Crocker and
Brewster again surprised the enemy. de-
ieating force at least FIVE to one. Their
trophies of war-a number of horses, lanc-
es, guns, ammunition. camp utensils. and
last, but not least. their four.pound can.
non, with which they retired in triumph.
During three different engagements. the
enemy's loss, as near as we have been
able to ascertain, is eighteen or twenty
killed, and as many wounded. After the
first day none OF our men were wounded.
except Corporal Jarret, who was shot in
the hand.
Since this last defeat, our boys have
held undisputed possession, and were in
fine spirits when we arrived. McKibbin s
loss is deeply mourned by all those with
whom he was associated. He was no.
Bile and gallant officer. beloved and re.
spected by all who knew him. The wound.
ed are all doing well. On the 18th in
start, Captain Davidson started in COM
mand Of an expedition to San Thomas,
aided by Croker and Douglass.
President Walker has now 200 troops
under his command-leaves in command
Colonel Watkins. He has declared this
the seat of government, and named the
fortifcation "Fort McKibbin. in honor
Of him who fell gallanlly defendingit. We
shall remain here for the present.
P.S. The expedition has returned from
San Thomas. Did not fire a-.gun while
absent, so complete was the defeat of the
enemy at Fort McKibbin.
Colonel II. H. P. Watkins, Vice Presi.
dent Of the new Republic, arrived in Sau
Francisco January -, making the trir
through by land, having left the camp O
the patriots on the 28th Of December.
President Walker has issued procla
nation and decree, establishing the pay
of the War Department. as follows:
1. Colonels, $40 per diem. g.. Lieu
tenant Colonels, $40. 8. Majors, 80. A
Captains Of Companies, SO. 5. First Lieu
tenants of Companies, 81. 6. Adjutants
ST. Z. Quartermasters, 81. 8. Commits
sary, 81. 9. Paymaster, 81. 10. Sur
geon Of Regiment, 81. IL. Surgeons As
sistant, $6. 12. Commissary's Assistant
Sc. 13. Quartermaster's Sergeant, Sc
IA. Second Lieutenants of Companies, Sc
Is. First Sergeants, SIS. 16. Sergeant.
and Corporals. 81. II. Privates, 50.
| President Walker has made the follow
ing appointments:
Collector of Customs for the Republic O
Lower California-Captain II. FL. Snow
Captain OF the Navy-Captain VIM. Mann
Qaartermaster Gen.-Maj. o. T. Beard
Commissary-Colonel Lawrence.
We also observe that John M. Jarnagir
is Secretary OF War of the new Republic
Major F. Emory, Secretary Of State.
Colonel Watkins states that the day be
fore he left San Thomas. Major Emory
in command of company of dragons
had started in search of Melendrez, ant
that Captain George R. Davidson, havin,
taken San Thomas, was stationed with hi
command at that place. La Grulla wa
occupied by the company of Captain
tChauncey.
/ The rancheros and inhabitants. general
lly, II is said, were satisfied with the politi