Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1856-09-11
VOLUME sMADR

garrison a! SOnoBa, With information that Cas-
tro's "hole force was crossing the bay to at.
tack that place. This intelligence was recei-
we'd IN the afternoon ofthe 23d Of June. while
be was on the American fork Of the Sacramen-
TO- 80 miles from the garrison at souoma; and
at Ia O'Clock on the morning Of the 95tb, he
arrived atthaI place with 80 rhemen from the
American settlers in that valley. The enemy
had not yet appeared. Scouts we're sen: out
to recOnnoi:rc, and party Of 80 fell in with
squadron Of 10 dragOOns, (all Of Castro's force
which had crossed the bay, J attacked and de-
feated, killing and wounding FIVE, without harm
TO themselves; the Mexican commander, De Ia
Tore. barely escaping with the loss Of his trans
port boats and nine pieces artillery, spiked.
The country north Of the Bay Of San Fran
cisco being cleared Of the enemy, Col. Fremont
returned to Sonoma on the evening Of the 4th
Of July, and on the morning of the 9th. called
the people together, explained to them the con-
dition Of things in the province, aud. re-
commended an immediate declaration Of inde-
pendence. The declaration was made and he
was selected to take the chief direction Of at.
fairs.
The attack on Castro was the next object.
He was at Santa Clara, an en'renched post
on the upper or south side Of the Bay of San
Francisco, with 800 men and two pieces of field
artillery. A circuit Of mole than a hundred
miles must be traversed 10 reach him. On the
Oh of July the pursuit was commenced, by
body of 100 mounted rihemen, commanded
by Colonel Fremont in person. who in three
days arrived at the American settlements on
the Aio de los Amercanos. Here he learnt
that Castro had abandoned Santa Clara, and
was retreating South towards Cindad de los
Angeles, the city of the Angels, the seat Of
the Governor General OF the Calfornians, and
distant 400 miles. 1t was instantly resolved
on to pursue to that place. At the moment
Of departure, the gratifying Intelligence was
received that war with Mexico had commen.
ced; that Monterey had been taken by our ma
val force. and the flag of the United States
raised on the 7th Of July, and that the feet
would cooperate to the pursuit Of Castro and
his forces The flag Of independence was
hauled down and that of the United States hoi.
sted, amidst the hearty greetings and to the
great Joy of tie American settlers and the for
ces under the command of Fremont.
The combined pursuit was rapidly continued
and on the 18th of August. COL Fremont, with
detachment of marines from the squadron
and some riAemen, entered the city of Angels,
without resistance or objection the Governor
General P;co, the Commandant General Cas-
tro, and all the Mexican authorities, having fled
or dispersed. Commodore Stockton took pos
session Of the whole country as conquest of
the United States, and appointed Col. Fremont
Govorner under the law Of nations; to assume
the functions Of that Office when be should re-
tura to the squadron.
Thus, in the short space Of sixty days from
the irst decisive movement, this conquest a.
cheved by small body Of men, to an extent
beyond their own expectations for the Mexi-
can authorities proclaimed it a conquest, moi
of the northern part, but of the whole province
of the CALIFORNIA;.
The Commandant General Castro, on the 9th
of August from his camp at the Mesa, and
next day con the road to Sonora" announced
this result 10 the people together with the ac!u-
al fight and dispersion of the former authori-
lies; and, at the same time, he officially COM
muncated the fact ofthe conquestto the French
English and Spanish ConSuls in California; and
to crown the whole, the official paper of the
Mexican government. on the 10th of October,
lin laying these official communications before
the public, introduced them with the emphatic
declaration. THE loss of the CALIFORNIA; is con-
summated." The whole province was yielded
up to the United States, and is now in our mil,
} itary occupancy. A small part Of the troops
sent out to subject this province will constitute
it is presumed sufficient force to retain ouI
/ possession, and the remainder will be dlsposable
for other objects Of the war.
WI. MARCY,
10 the President Of the United States.
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