Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-07-23

4
NEST among them, on a black mustang, was a
small, sinewy, dark man, evidently their lead
er, with s'an eye like Mars to threaten and
commando countenance expressive of the
greatest determination, and bearing that,
notwithstanding his rough dress, stamped him
as one born to command-to lead.
This was Fremont.
81 am an officer of the United States," said
he. 81 am my way to Los Angeles
must have horses.''
.'But-'' said Vallejo.
ssI said, Sir, n,ust have them YOU will be
recompenced by my Government. L order
you, Sir, to deliver to my men what horses
you may have in corral.''
Finding remcnstrance would be of no avail
with such man, Vallejo called his vaqueros
and gave the requisite directions. In the
meanwhile my friend D, made himself
known to Fremont, having met him in Wash
ington.
81 have information of Castro's intention
to attack Los Angeles. l have six days to
reach there before the outbreak, for that
need these horses for must be in at the
death"
''But the distance; sixhundrcd miles, +" said
D.. ''The roads
''I shall do it, he replied ,.and turned away
TO supervise his arrangements.
In half an hour they departed as unceremo-
riously as they came, taking with them three
hundred horses. and leaving us astounded at
ibis ride, to wonder if we were yet awake, or
whether If was an unsubstaptial dream.
'.Los diabios! !" exclaimed theGeneral, ''they
have even taken my wifes saddle-hcrse!" so
thoroughly had Fremonts lieutenant eXecu-
ted his order.
From Sonoma to Yerba Bucna, the little
hamlet whore now stands the queen city of the
Pacific, San Francisco he augmented his stock
TO the number of about fifteen hundred, COM
plctely clearing the country and then COM
menced one of TIM most peculiar races for a
Jight ever probably known. Barely pulling bri
die to deyour a steak cut from the quarter OF
dead builock's carcas, driving before them
their spare horses-oR, on they went. The
roads at all times bad, at this season were hor-
ribe-fifty miles being a hard days journey,
even for a Californian.
AS their exhausted beasts dropped under
them they tore off the saddles, and, placing
them on others, hurried on, leaving the poor
animals to be devoured by the cayotes, or re-
cover, as chance might bring about. Ever at
the head, the last to dismount, and the first to
leap into the saddle was this mouutaineer, this
companion OF Kit Carson! this pioneer of
the empire Fremont! Rarely speaking but
to urge on his men, or to question some pas
sing native, taking the smallest modcum of
refreshment, aud watching while others snatch
ed moments reposc, was he wrapped up in
his project and determined to hare some o
The fight.
Through San Pablo, and Monterey, and j ose-
pha, they dashed, startling the inhabitants
and making the night-watch cross himself in
terror as their band few on. The river Sacri-
ficos was reached swollen by the rains it roll
led on, a rapid, muddy stream his men paused.
Forward, forward - oied he, and dashed
in himself, the struggle was fierce one, but
his gallant mustang breasts the current, and
he reaches the opposite shore in safety; his
men after a time join him, two brave follows
finding a watcry grave, and many horses being
carried down the stream; but nothing can now
stop him-te heights adjacent to the Pucbla
appear-now smile might be seen on the i'm
placablc visage of the leadcr-'Hs the sirth
day and Aie goal is lcoH
With ninety men on the last of his caravan
of horses, he fell like thunderbolt on tho
rear of the Mexcans. The day was with them
the little band of stout hearts guarding the
presidio, taken by surprise. and not having the
advantage of the Mexicans in regard to hor-
ses, were beginning to But cheer up
cheer again-succor is at hand. On come
those riders of Fremont-nothing with
stand their shock. With shouts of triumph
they change the battle TO a rout. The field
is iron
The route was complete one; and had not
Fremonts men been utterly exhausted none
would have escaped SO ended the Ride Of
The One Hundred
would state that the Government, with
their usual speed in such matters, passed an
appropriation to satisfy General Vallejo and
others for their losses, sir years after.
This put Il virtual end to the war, for though
they again made stand at the San Pascal
headed by Pico, still they were dispirited and
Gen. Kearney with his mounted men defeated
them with great loss. The Governorship of
the country being decided, which had long
been source of trouble between keaFney,
Stockton and Mason, affairs became more set
tied, and the American force, now largely aug
mented was placed on such footing as to soon
''crush the bead of rank rebellion and Pico
and Castro fed to the lower country, to fight
for time longer against iHeUitGble fate.
Hon. Caleb Goodrich, of Oneida county,
one of the present members of Assembly, has
abandoned the Democratic candidates and de-
| clared himself for Fremont.