The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-10-09
IRON the Golden Era

NlAs-lhE lhp III Ot hi6IOhl NlNb4NA4Lb.
The Annals Of San Francisco containing summary Of
the history OF the first discovery settlement progress
and present condition OF California, &c7 &C. Yo y
Appleton Co., New York
NUMBER TWO.
We continue our notice Of this book and Of the 9Th chap
ter we have omitted 70 remark upon two paragraphs
that convey altogether erroneous impressions The hEs
reflects little upon the officers OF the army and the
second does not give due justice 70 the movements OF the
settlers 10 the north they therefore require 10 be noticed
for the purpose Of correction After narrating that the
American generals advancing upon the Rio Grande
and Mexico itself BY way Of Vera Cruz and Jaapa and
that expedition formed under General kearney 70
proceed the whole continent from Mssouhrst TO
Santa Fe and after the expected reduction OF New Mexico
further west TO California that the latter province had
long been desired by Americans and that the government
was determined since circumstances permitted the at
tempt TO the countryside author goes TO state
that "o further this undertaking. Congress ordered corps
Of mounted riaemen the command Of which was to be
given TO Captain Fremont then first created lieutenant
colonel aud who, from his knowledge OF that country
and his being there at the very time, seemed the most
proper person whom the honor of the command could
be bestowed
This is piece Of information entirely new, and if OBJ
served by the officers Of the army it has caused not little
surprises for they have been led think differently
garng the origin of and bis appointment to- the rifle reg
ment
our memory is not altogether incorrect the rife regi
raised for the purpose OF protecting the
emigrants the Oregon TRAIL California not being very
generally thought Of at that time and 30 far from Ere
mont having been appointed TO the command OF IT. Pers-
fer f. Smith, OF San Francisco now maorgenera by bre-
vet for distinguished services and who has been in com
and Of this the western division of the army was APP
pointed colonel OF the regiment
The enlstDents of the rifles generally young
of superior character and standing who desired 10 TO
Oregon and when upon the breaking out of the they
were ordered Mexico, they very much dissatisfied
but upon being commanded by the gallant Sumner then
major their colonel having larger command the bat
alion-for it when he led them into Mexico
was distinguished in every battle and became the pride Of
the army. Upon peace being restored, and the rifles
returned home, many OF these young men were dis
CHARGED although the term OF enlstmenhve yearshad
not expired upon consideration that the obligations enter
ed into with the government had been unavodab trans
crossed Thus we that the corps of mounted rifles
were for the specific purpose as stated IN the Annals
nor was Fremont considered the most proper person to
command it, but appointed tue second ofhcer OF the
regiment honor he appeared never TO fully understand
The other paragraph Of this (Sth chapter that escaped
our attention and which must now be mentioned lin jus
ce 10 the etlers in connexion with colonel (then sec
oud lieutenant Typographical engineers ana Dreyet cap
tain of the army) Fremonts command, was as io-
lows At the time Fremont forcing the MexicaDs
out of California north of the bay OF San Francisco Com
modore Soa Sho then IN command oil the American
squadron in the Pacific being appzed OF the actual com
mencenent OF hostes between the American and Mexi-
can States had seized Monterey II was after all the
country north of the bay of San francisco had come into
the possession Of the American settlers nav commodore
Sloat hoisted the American flag He appeared OIL Monterey
on the I'd July and although he had been informed =
the xcan journals that hostitcs had actually begun IN
the east the Commodore proposed to salute the Mexican
hap and lis said this courtesy offered the 4h OF
Jay Our flag spread 10 the breeze as emblem
of conquest till Commodore Sloat received communica-
ton from Captain Montgomery of the sloopoiwar Ports
mouth then lying in front OF Geba Buenasent by sea IN
the launch very great peril from heavy weaher-sang
that the American settlers under Fremont in uuds
tubed possession OF the northern part OF the territory and
that Castro had retired to Santa Clara Upon learning
this important fact Commodore Sloat hoised the flag on
the eth july issued his proclamation and gave the orders
as stated in the text though be even then feared the dis
pleasure Of the government Fremont however did not
take possession of San Juan until npon his march TO Mon
terey, about the middle OF July
the 9th chapter and consider the very
high compliments paid to Commodore Stockton appropri-
ate but somewhat extended and the praise bestowed upon
him for the adoption of hc plan OF campaign which led
TO complete success very Just for the Commodore was
particularly fortunate in having around him officers Of Pc
cuary fine abilities men OF high character and deter
mined courage and he usually discovered any move
ment before entering upon it. he could not fail in what be
undertook for resolution decided upon IL was sure
to be carried TO ultimate success Yet don't find IN
this history Of California the OF one other naval ON
Ger as connected with those events when there were SO
many who greatly distinguished themselves and added
briliancy in their various spheres TO that renown so
layishly bestowed Stockton We commenced this re
view with the proposition that ne Annals DO not give
history and the foregoing Is Another proof OF H.
Where praise IL lavishly bestowed upon a leader,
who greatly indebted for his 10 the gallant
who assisted in the formation Of the plan Of the cam
pagn and in carrying through the glorious conquest II
seems TO that short sentence name, might
appear in the history OF this country where the brilliant
deeds done; but not syllable do find in this
book which would induce any one to suppose that the OH
under Commodore Stockton worthy OF any credit
are entitled the least credit yet there with
him such as Dupont Gtohrist Tghlman Louis McIane,
IT, VIM b. Kcnshaw s. b. Bown Robert PinCkney, Blakely
Garter George Seden Ned Bealc and many others whose
names would have well illuminated the pages Of this book
and Justice would have been done officers whom not
withsandug their laborious services and gaantry dis
played than occasion, no official report has
placed in a proper position before the country But
let that pass yet hope 10 the Of every officer
az navy who figured greatly many did IN the
quest Of California having its proper place on the page o.
history.
The author states 'hat in tweny-four hours after
Stunning the command Commodore Stockton organized q
battalion Of mounted rnenen This is Incorrect The
battalion was organized Sonoma by First Lieutenant
A. n Gillespie OF the marine corps, that time the only
American military officer In the country-Fremont not
being acquainted with the formation OF even squad The
Reryces u the battalion accepted by the Commodore
and being the highest In authority In the country, COM
missions were issued by him ageeably list furnished
him by Mr. Gillespie who ia many became response
bic Tor the appointment This the 23d July, and
the battalion recognised being in servse the
It'll Of that month when the flag hosted at Monterey
Immediately upon being received into the service prepare
lions were made for proceeding south (whhe Castro had
fei) In the sooP-oEwar Cyane Commodore Dupont on
board OF which vessel the battalion embarked the 2Gth
JuIy At sunrise, and sailed for San Diego.
The narrative Of the advance upon and capture OF the
C;udnd de Los Angeles Is fair account enough perhaps,
vet Il miht be improved; but the "mora effect Of Stock
TONS march upon the Ciudad the minds Of the Calor-
mana did not bsak down the spirit Of resistance did
II inspire terror the inhabitants stated In the text On
the contrary although their force had dispersed at the
time Of Castros deserton some Of the prominent men
were holding secret meetings Of revolutionary character
nj night within stones throw Of Stocktons quarters,
almost Mt The very moment that the commodore was re-
c.ivuR the homage Of the Mexican officers.
They we're forming plans for the purpose Of rising upon