The daily union., 1856-10-11
From the Golden Era.

the history Of the first discovery settlement progress
and present condition Of California, &c1 &C. syo. u
Appleton Co., New York
NUNBER FOUR
When we closed the last number OF review OF this
work and Of the historical account therein narrated o. he
military operations in this country which lea 70 its con
guest by the American arms we intended 70 give deeu
statement OF Mefynes disaster before the Cludad de los
Angeles but fuller account can DC given AZ some iu
ture day and more appropriately IN connected history
particulars OF that affair now but merely relate some OF
the prominent incidents show the OF the Annals
Captain Meryine landed in force at San Pedro from the
frigate Savannah sunrise the morning OF the ith
October 1886, where, being Joined by Captain Gillespie
and his remen he found himself at the head OF three hun
dred men, well armed and equipped sailors ma
ne and settler volunteers brave and valiant as ever
led TO battle upon any field The principal ohees
with Mervne Lieutenants Robert Pinkney, Rock
endorf j. Blakely Garter and Assistant Surgeon White
the navy Captain ard Marson and Lieutenant Queen
OF marines.
The march was commenced from San Pedro at about
o'clock Gllespies command taking the advance when
approaching and passing the hills at Paloyerde the enemy
showed themselves and fred their escopetas at the march
ing column. The rhemen under Lieut. Hensley on the
right flank in front Lieut. Rhensan the left with Capt
Gillespie and Lieut. Bell in the centre kept the Caiornans
at a respectful distance although they continued to throw
their huge escopeta balls amongst the Americans from
very long range however without doing injury The
march very rapid too much so Tor men unaeeustomed
TO walking any great distance; but luckily, they were
"hying right for they had very small quantity OF pro-
visions ammunition, except with the volunteers,
and nothing seriously ncommode them save blanket
and occasionally tin pot Between one ana TWO O'Clock
D. m the Americans arrived at the Rancho de los Domin-
gos miles from San Pedro both officers and men
desrous for rest and of them very lame and almost
disabled; consequently, Captain Mervne soon found IL
necessary To hall and encamp for the night although he
would have pushed had IT not been almost certain ne
would leave many disabled men upon the road The
family of the Domngos bad been Obliged by the Caii-
fornians leave their rancho but they bad removed
nothing from the house except some valuaoes, ana
had left good supply Of several articles very useful
to the Americans There were few head OF hne beef
cattle the house. which the enemy endeayored 10
drive off but Gilespes secured two OF them with
their rifles afterwards drove the horemen good dis
tance from the camp, woundng two or three of them
Nothing of much moment occurred during the night un-
less we continued alarm of the commander
the unnecessary and numerous patrolng parties firing
into each other making the most miraculous escapes the
enemys dropping sxpound shot into the centre or the
camp amidst crowd of sleeping men overcome by very
unusual fatigue Captain Mervines calling to Captain Gill
lespe: You must catch that gun" it dashed away
into the shade like streak of ghtnng the noise and
disturbance made by poor miserable Mexican idlot an
old man. who having srayed into camp horseback du-
ring the evening" threatened with being shot as spy
and the particular desire hang Indian because he
would not tell all he knew about the enemy.
At daylight, the Sth, the camp was IN notion and
Just the the Americans marched towards Los
Angeles, twelve miles distant in much the same order as
on the day previous the volunteer rtemen skrmshers
in the van Leutenans Hensey and Rhensan the right
and left Captain Gillespie in the centre with the reserve
The main body marched by the right flank of companies
Lieutenant Queen acting adutant The country is very
level over which the Americans marched at this me II
is occasionally nerseced by beds of streams then dry and
very densely covered with thick weed about two feet
high which being very wet with dew at that hour OF
the morning. very unpleasant and atguing to march
through Almost imperceptbly the companies OF sailors
and marines crowded into the road, until they became
solid moving The enemy sersnty-sz strong-mere-
ly Flores adyance-under Jose Antonia Garlic, were
posted upon small stream that crossed the road about
three miles from the Domingo Rancho Some hfty horse
in line open order with their right upon the water
and twenty Immediately across the road rs
artierists, and support for the hedpece, which was
planted in battery in the centre of the road contested the
further progress of the Americans As Mervines forces
approached the the enemy opened their fire The
administers under Hensley takng advantage OF every
cover for which tactics Captain Mervne ordered Captain
Gillespie and his not TO dodgel were enabled to ge
quite close upon the gun, and within rifle range before
they discovered and instantly killed one man close
by it. capturing his escopeta after At the same time
Rhensan upon the left caused the horsemen to give way
slowly which they did with much order firing their esco
petas at random Upon the first shot from the enemys
field piece Americans charged with shout the sailors
and marines still moving by the right Hank and still in
the road in solid body. Lieut. Hensey, well in advance
on the right caused the Caornians 10 retire with their
gun which they did very easily for they were well mounted
and the six-pounder unlimbered almost as light as
toy and being drawn by rata II could % 1;a &c run r on
first shot from the went over the heads and over
the centre of the sailors and marines the second struck the
bayones front and brok. Of the shpboarding pixies in
the the third told upon the centre OF the solid mass
rakng the hips Of the as they marched the column
still moving by the flank in the road. Even after this no
order given TO change position in any manner though
every shot told upon the unfortunate sailors Every
man who struck killed instantly or wounded in
shocking The marines returned the Te
from the by oblque aim TO the left whereby
several Of Rhensan platoon wounded in the hands
Marshall very losing the opportunity and celeb
ry of having discovered the gold" by nearly having
shot through his head bullet having rOsed the knuckles
Of his right hand whilst pulling trigger He quietly swore
nj the marines and told them they had made him lose
fine shot, and would please not do that again. The enemy
now becoming alarmed the boldness Of the Americans
continued retire but in less order and finally their
being closely pressed by Hensey and his men
who Al the trot had made them drop their cartridges
they deserted the gun and left II standing In the road
when the ri1emen about two hundred yards dis
tsnt Hensley and his men now made greater efforts
to take the piece Rhensans platoon and Gillespie with
the reserve all rushed forward, certain OF gaining the
day Whilst dashing on, the bugle sounded halt the
volunteers now in advance wavered, and turned 10
look towards the rear for second However the call not
beipg repeated Capt Gillespie cried out "ForwardP and
the charge was continued but the movements and partial
halt had been instantly noticed by the enemy Juan Yer
ba of Lower Santa Auna below Los Angeles with the
greatest gaantry charged down upon the gun at full
speed and from his seat in saddle seized the RATA that
was fastened 10 mbers then lying upon the ground
and dashed of with it, just Lieut. Hensley was within
fy seps OF the prize and victory BY this time Captain
NeTvnes voice was heard loudly calling halt and the
order was passed the 'front.' at the moment the sailors
ond marines were about commencing retreat carrying
m. dead and wounded in blankets stretched upon pixies
The Americans reached the camp OF the night before
where Surgeons GlchrEt and White ascertained that
tbey could do nothing for the wounded sailors nj that
place their hips being acerated and torn an inc most ds
trcssing manner.
A council being Immediately held, II was decided that
Captain Giespe-he having yolunteered-should com
nand the rear with Carriers Remen, having Colts revo
yers and the volunteers under Hensley and Rhensan
the hauks and himself and sixteen marines In the centre