The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-06-25


dOe might with much propnsy have addressed his gov
ernment IN the language used by celebrated Ro-
general in similar situation that il you wish We
should live, send US provisions il you desire that We
should conquer send arms, ammunition and men
Yet relying the courage Of his companionsin-arms
stimulated too by anxious desire to serve his country
and encouraged by the high expectations formed by his
government Of his success he formed the noble resolution
take the field with his little band OF saor-soders and
marines and trust 10 the chances Of war and the yaor
and discipline Of his troops for Indeed he seemed
possess that "invincibe temper Of mind which rises
superior to every misfortune and derives resources
from adyersiy"
The command was composed of eight battalion compa-
MES two of horse battery OF artillery party of sap
pers and miners and Differed follows two companies
of mounted remen (volunteers) under Captains Hensy
and Rusew, commanded by Breyet Major A. H. Gillespie
United States marine corps battery of artillery sea
men, commanded by Lieut. Il, L. rlghman and Acting
Master w H. Thompson United States navy company
Of United States marines commanded by Brevet Captain
| j. Zelin and Lieut. H. b. Watson of the corps
pany "a (seamen) Acting Master j. Guest command
-Mdshipmen T, Lee and b. L. Wells; company "B,"
(seamcu Lieut. w b, Renshaw United States navy, COM
handing -Midshpmen G. L. Morgan, Z. H. Haywood and
r. O. Duvall, acting euenants company 90 (seanen,)
Acting Lieut. B r. b. Hunter United States navy, COM
Midshpman Il. Grafton, acting Lieutenant; com
pany "Dn (seamen,) Acting Lieut. b. s. Higgins United
states navy, W. anu A
Amnnd ACTING euenants; company 3Eh (seamen,) Act
ing Lieut. j. r. senson, United States navy command
Midshipman ~ Sheppard, acting lieutenant company
IF" tseamen,) Passed Midshipman j. NJ Duncan com
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. }. Parish, acting lieutenant COM
pany &C." (seamen) Sailmaker Reed commanding; sap
pers and miners, Carpenter j. Southwick commanding
! staff ohicera Acting major, Leutsnaut s. A. Rowan,
United States navy; Chief Commlssary Of Subsistence
Purser W. Speden, United States navy Assistant Com
4 M n ted Gfatcs and
Captain d. Fisher California volunteers Acting Quarter
MASTER Captain Bdncll, California volunteers Aids
4 Commodore Stockton, Lieutenant A. F.Y Gray United
States navy, and Captain Miguel de Pidraua, California
volunteers Commodore's secretary VIM Simmons Medi-
cal officers Assistant Surgeons A. H. Henderson and O.
Eversaeld, United States navy A
| The force being thus organized and the Commodore
having arranged all his plans and seeing everything in
readiness commenced his advance from San Diego the
2ath Of December 1896 for La Cudad de los Angeles
companied by Brigader General Kearny who had arrived
few days before from New Mexico and generously joined
the Commodore in his projected movement. The Gem
erals force consisted Of W. H. Emory United States opo
graphical engineers, acting assistant adjutant general
Assistant Surgeon j. S Griffin United States army and
detachment of sixty United States dragons, acting
infantry commanded by Captain II S. Turner and Lieu
/ tenant Davidson
After abornus march Of ten days, through rough
and mountainous country they arrived the 9Th Of Jam
uary, ls47 OF the left bank Of eel Rio San Gabriel With
, e -a"rA aud General at their head and found
about seven hundred California ..ay irnos-
hank in a strong and commanding position-fe-' a
sible to defend the passage-under Gen. fiores.
The crossing of river is always difficult ana haAaru
Gus operation and rendered more so on 'his
as it had to be performed without returning inc enemy
fire ofartllery which placed on an elevation 100 ge
artillery to reach with good effect but the SKIN OF
of his trOops MADE up
/ for all disadvantages
The Commodore having carefully reconnoitred the enc
mys lines and determined cross dispositions Eee made
accordingly The battalion formed in square, with
the artillery ahead drawn by officers and seamen ready
for ACTION with skrmisheFs in front and on the right and
left In this order they entered the waters OF the San Ga
brie which was this poDt about three feet deep and
6rtv wards wide under heavy shower Of balls They
continued however advance and reaching ihe OPP
uose side they received vigorous charge which was re-
pulsed with frmnese and deploying instantly INTO iine
charged in turn up the bank and l driving the enemy
from ali bis positions Fios essayed to turn or nanAs
but il Impossible; nothing could withstand the inn
peuosty Of the attack OF the troops Flores was COM
PEELED to retreat leaving the Commodore aud his gallant
associates In possession Of the field Of battle which their
vaor had won and npon which they slept that night with
the pleasing consequences Of having worthy done their
duty and shown themselves no9 defenders Of their
| try's and honor.
Such was the first meeting and encounter OF Stockton
and Flores during which the Commodore, daring and
opposite to every danger exposed his own person like
private soldier.
This combat was brilliant commencement OF the cxpe-
dtion and one well calculated impress the Calornians
with the conviction that they were unable 10 stand the
| rude bravery of Jack who has proved himself
worthy TO fight by the side Of regular troops, az least
when under such bold leader Stockton who possess
ed in an extraordinary degree the art Of gaining bis aee
tions and conhde4ce.
Our men, now proud Of their success though siill in
feror in numbors the eneny, fu Of enthusiasm
and their conHdence was raised 10 such pitch that they
were now capable Of enduring the greatest hardshps and
performing the most daring deods,
The next day the little army continued its advance to-
wards the aCy Of the Angela II had not proceeded far
however before the enemy again made their appearance In
front on the plains Of the esn FOR the purpose Of making
last stand IN defence Of their capital The plains OF the
Nesa afforded facilities and advantages TO Flores for
poyng his noble cavalry which have been the pride
and boast Of the Cafornians.
After some maneuyring and skirmishing 10 which
Flores displayed his splendid line Of cavalry the Commo
ore and General advanced With their whole force formed
in square As Flores discovered this move
ment he prepared TO charge. All his troops nov COM
menced advancing with regularity constantly increasing
in velocity they approached until they advanced with
the speed and calamity charged with shouts from
every point troops received this furious charge with
their woned rmness and the incessan hre OF musketry
and grapeshot caused such destruction and disorder in
the enemys ranks that they compelled to fall back