New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-09-24


voo,.o,e and almost WON down with the seventies
s,hs seasop the march, and their hard fare the bat
s.hon arrived at St. Ynez Mission, at the base Of the
san,a barbara Mountains, on the oath of December.
Thev nassed gloomy Christmas eve. The rain fell
n torrents at daybreak whA they commenced the
accent Of the mountain Driving their animals before
them, they clambered up the steep path dragging
ahen weary liubs from rock TO rock and struggling
sgainst storm that swept these exposed nights with
She fury of tornado. Horses and mules plunged over
steep precpices and were killed or falling from eS-
haustion, persisted where they lay. Rocks and trees
were uprooted, and borne along by the accommodating
force Of mountain torrent that swept their path.
Some of the crouched behind huge lodges and re-
Snsed 10 proceed others crept into sheltered places
and passed the night. Fremont and his officers labcred
diligently in assisting the passage of our two pieces OF
artillery now dragging at the ropes and now putting
shouder TO the wheel Patient cheerful and untirng,
his prestn nee saved tremendous deal of swearing,
I confessed, though it did not quite elect
passage for the guns. He among the last to quit
the mountain side, when a night OF tempest set IN,
and more wretched night of hunger, cold and dest
fpon than this Christmas night, those that shared It's
souows will never live to Over hundred horses
were loot in this days march beside the saddles tents
and camp equipage which many of them carried. The
vrrs were brought down in safety the next morning,
and proceeding on our way, the battalion entered and
took possession Of Santa Barbara the following evening"
While encamped at this place, waiting for comInun
cations which had been promised by Com. Stockton,
Col Fremont, procuring quantity OF sabers, armed
and instructed one of his companies in cavalry exer-
else. When enough of horses were had, the drill was
completed, and very dashing set of dragons they
made under their skilful and fearless COMMANDER
As soon as Fremont could repair the losses Of Christ
mas day. he set out from Santa Barbara with some hope
Of bringing Pico to a stand somewhere between that
place and Los Angeles. He was reported having
nearly 500 men under him, part of whom had only
evacuated Santa Barbara on hearing of Fremonts APP
prOach. In the streets Of that town, VIXEN Fremont
last passed through, some Of the California women
were fond of chanting ditty, promising the re-
3nrn of Castro to deliver his country:
POGO tempo vene Castro,
Mucho genie tambien!'
What was the Colonels surprise on hearing the same
air adapted to words of praise and welcome on his
present arrival The pardon granted to Pico was the
cause of this change. The fame of the father and
mercifu man had gone before that of the conqueror
Two Californians came suddenly upon us during
march the next day. and delivered news of an unex
pected and Judging from the countenances of the men,
nnwelcome kind Col. f. was usual, some distance
ahead when a rise of hill brought the horsemen sud
denly upon him. His first impulse was to stand his
grOund-hs second, to defend himself; and, quick
fash, he drew the wiping-stick from his rifle. The
horsemen fell back, sauted him as friends and showed
their parole. From them Col Fremont learned, to his
chagrin and disappointment, that Stockton and Kear-
ney had entered Los Angeles. An officer who was
near him at the time said he never a man who
appeared to suffer in mind than did Col Fremont
when informed that Commodore Stockton had entered
Los Angeles before him. To his men the news
an unqualified source of bitterness and regret. They
had observed their leaders anxiety amid the discour
agements and obstacles of the march, and shared his
zeal for a oonquerors reward.
At the Rincon, where the memorable passage
effected in the face Of the enemy fifteen miles along
strip of beach that could be swept by his cannon anu
washed by the tides of the ocean, the advance led
by Col. Fremont in person. At san Buenaventura the
enemy drove in our pickets, exchanged shots with
indian scouts and only retired before charge Of the
COonels cavalry company, himself at their head
With the enemy all about us we reached the post of
San Fernando Mission. Expecting resistance the bat
talon entered the defe in two divisions the artillery
with lighted matches A considerable body of lancers
appeared on the nights. No opposition was encoun-
tered but enough of the spirit and numbers
of the Caornians to make il evident that the capture
of Los Angeles had not put end to the war. On the
Plains of Couengo, between 300 and 400 had ASSEM-
bed. Fremont halted his men and dispatched mes
sage to Pco to lay down his consent to meet
him in fair fight Such the terror inspired by the
presence of this long dreaded battalion that not one of
the Calioans would risk his precious body to return
IN answer. The prisoner Pico, vainy endeavored to
induce his brother to into the camp of his gcner
Gus captor Col. F. finding the California Chiefs anx
Sous for interview, bade Pico accompany him and
rode across the plain unattended by of his men,
20 where the enemy were in council nearly mile from
his camp. He was completely in their power, but
relying on his manhood on the integrity OF his mo-
saries for safe issue, he felt fear The result was
highly satisfactory. Though the Calfonians were
bitterly indignant at the terms of peace offered them
by Com. Stockton, they willing to lay down their
arms to Fremont. " Sooner than comply with those
terms" said Andreas Pico, these men will take the
s'chances Of life OF death with the wild beasts Of yon-
% der mountains"
The capitulaton at Couengo ended the in Cal
fornia. 1t did 1t softened the prejudces of the
Cahfonians toward their American conquerors,
ced factions that had long disturbed the peace of the
country, and opened the way for era of harmony
and prosperity such California had never enjoyed.
And would have been well for the country and hon.
6sable for our Government if the seed at Couen.
go had been permitted to develop a system Of wise
and just laws, for the early security of the Territory.