The daily union., 1856-11-04
Written IOr me Golden Era.

Written iOr ths Golden
II ,,purcIN MILITARY OPERATIONS IN CALIFOR-
MANTHE TRUTH OF HISTORY yINDICATED.
L. l.naI, Of San Francisco eOntain'g summary Of ns
I Of hs frst discovery, settlement progress, and Pyes-
e condition Of CaIJOrn'a, &c, etc., 90. H. APP1a0"
| Co, NsW York.
/ That norton Of this work descriptive of Commodore
kons landing at San Diego, his preparations tor the
Irch upon Los Angeles and OF the arrival OF Genera
nsy m the country is full OF errors that we hardly
- how 10 correct them without making an extract OF
Fost the whole chapter. We will endeayor however, 10
- brief as possible in sort OF narrative Of those events
y true as stated in the Annals that "the condition
S Diego was miserable in the extreme Tor its deyo
inhabitants were most cruelty harassed by the Caifor
u in copsea uence Of their having received the Amerl
- with open arms and reoiced over the change OF gov
Immediately after the Congress had sailed from San Di
40 for the north in search Of Fremont Capt Gillespie
- Lieut. Gibson with small party down the coast TO
up cattle and horses for the place was almost In
karying condition. He was accompanied 6y miguel de
drorena and Santiago Argueo, who knew the locations
"a N find the much-desred stock They embarked on
H,d the whale ship Stonington (which had been de,
sd in port some time for the United States seryce ana
ed for tho Ensenada, where the party laAded Lieut.
bon was quite successful He brought up several hun
head of beef cattle and about forty horses but not In
xsrv good condition The second expedition under Lieut.
Hnsley was more successiu-he went farther down he
Hat Al this time San Diego was under the command
ID, eut George Minor, who with party had been sent
from he Sauan,aah to reinforce the few volunteers
Entoned there, previous to the arrival OF Commodore
Btockton at San Pedro -,
es had taken possession of large adobe house ana
korra on the west side OF the town, and had mace IL
Fortified place with portfolios and bastions, armed WIN
- Snaaish brass long and tDetDe pound guns, In
ood order Whilst preparations for Gillespies taking
H. field again were going forward, there was daily skir
kisbinp around the place with party OF tloress men,
Eho al one tune had fairly invested it Almost every day.
however brought strength to the now Well-es
ablshed garrison and Captain Gillespie did not hesitate
H. drive the Caornians from the close proximity 10 the
Eown thew had maintained for over two months. The
ize-brig Malek-Ade arrived about this time under the
command of Lieutenant William B. Renshaw, host IN
Nov become soldiers The enemy had made several
ATTEMPTS to drive off the stock of cattle and at last
H. the 18th November towards evening, they made
Neil planned attack upon the town. both from the heights
End upon the plain below. The marines under Gillespie
Hharged up tho hill causing the enemy to retire to great
H. distance but not beyond range OF long nne-Pounder
That had become great avorite with Buzzehe who DIS
ngushed himself /. clearing the old guns at Los Ange-
Howho had fixed insight upon it after his own plan, and
Houd FIRE it with abst the certainty of rifle horse
nan had gotten upon point of the HILL from whence con-
leripp himself safe he annoyed the Americans by firing
escopea from his elevated long range Just as the ma
ines were about to dislodge him, Buzzles gun went Off
nd at the distance of between six and seven hundred
sds it killed the horse carried away the Caornians
ot at the ankle joint and finally drove the enemy from the
heights Lieut. Minor being absent DR.. Gilchrlst took
kharge of the baston and supernended the hrng whch
nder the very extraordinary The voun-
and sailors under Gibson and Hensey having contest
the plains below the town, the enemy fled having hive
led and several wounded without any loss whatever on
be American side II quite dark before the garrison
Vas again restored to quiet Whilst the firing was going
the Congress arrived. Commodore Stockton from out
the port Immediately sent reinforcement OF eighty
ON shore under Lieutenant Edward Beae and Passed
dshpman Guest bnt they did not arrive until after the
gh was over They had not time to reach the place
ss afsr this time that the rgate got shore 1t was
pon bank on the north side of the harbor, and not at
he entrance She rested upon the edge oil the bank ana
,pdrs gotten out to prevent her falling over too
Bar When the tide in she foaed into deep water,
was al,o at this time that Commodore Stockton
nenced his preparations formed and decided upon e
an of campqgnp and upon the very camp where he
oud halt upon the march Los Angeles We are parc-
ar in this for has been stated in high places that Gen
Commodore where the latter desired to go
Rpon the march, which is altogether mistake, as the
whole affair was arranged before Commodore Stockton
landed AT San Diego November 81, ls4B Gibson and
ensley were promoted to captains under the new
krgauzation of the voluneers Lieutenant Tghman of
HE Congress had charge of the works upon the hill com
handing the town, and also of the artillery Captain
eilan Of marines instructor OF the drill. Renshaw
bad company OF seventyfve sailors from the Savannah
proved themselves good soldiers as ever shoulder
Rd musket Lieutenant Beale with Passed Midshipmen
DDuncan and Simmons with eighty young men from the
8onVress were attached to Captain GILES pies command
aPtain John Bdwell (now OF Chico Butte county was
ppoind auartermaster TO the garrison and well dd be
erfom that duty; for II ever man had such work to
o would like TO know it. There was very little peace
him. he had to supply wants out OF nothing Every
knd Yes sir certainly" for all who came and how he
managed 10 GRITTY every still remains mystery il
true be had behind him Purser VIM Speiden Of the Con-
ess an untiring man. who will have the thanks and
Mood wishes of all who served with him at that time for
assistance he rendered them in day Of want and Pr
adon Although there was scarcity OF every thing, the
Hneu worked well every jolly and bright with the
Hesire Of getting away. To hasten the march, Captain
unsey went down the for oIen horses and beef cat
Me Captain Gillespie had made constant oraginR incur
lions upon the enemys property or supplies with good
ucces and on one he drove five hundred head
sheep fourteen mules and band Of mares from the mis-
Of San Diego down the valley in the very teeth Of the
knemy hundred strong At this time he was accom-
kaned by Lieut. Beale with the Sutter brass (Russan)
pour.pounder and artilerist
On evening of Sd December the garrison elecr-
by the arrival Of Mr. Edward Stokes sinCe dead Of
anita Isabel bearing despatch from General kearney
announcing his arrival at Aguas Caienes-then the first
Ancho after leaving the deseTat the head Of about one
ndred men, and expressing desire 10 open communl-
Baton but trlom dircLosiHg his actual situation There
kertany why General Kearney should have
ksie remarks respecting bis situation be bad moth
pay disclose he wanted nothing he had abundance oi
Eubssence bis men fadgued by long march, lis
kue but they we're all in good health and were az tAe
eneai then supposed upon their march 10 San Diego
aptAin Gillespie with Lieut. Beale, Passed Midsh gsnan
uncan seamen, and the Suhsr gun toeH oppointed
fnd Captain Gibsons company OF riHemen marched that
fvenng meet Gen Kearnsy bearing letter Of welcome
Erecting from the Commodore and Gillespie had orders to
the General all the information e desired The garr-
had been informed for days that Capt Don Andres
at the head Of about eighty men, had located himself
San Pascua and Its vicinity and II had been the ir'
on Of Captain Gillespie 10 attack IT. 49,, ., -. - ...n,
zee 10 mount a sufficiently strong party
ereloe, he determined upon the defensive until
'ses were 70 be had General Kearneys arrival how
~ gave the Americans the opportunity to pay Don