The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1875-02-25
A HEROIC EXPLOIT.

C.~eon. in command or htteen men, was
~ ss a bearer of important dispatches to
washington city.
Hc was instructed to strain every nerve
;, make the journey in sixty days, an
ob;evment - which, until then, we blieve
I'D never been accomplished. Carson's
innate a+ knowledge of Indian character
1"bIsd him to avoid several threatened
DII;s;ons with hostile savages, until the 9Th
sOctober, when he met General Kearney
r;,b q strong detachment of United States
Alter receiving his report, Kearney
cont the dispatches by another person, and
.ook Carson with him as a guide.
The trapper proved of invaluable service
as guide;
n.cember, from which place the line oi
,,arch was taken up to San Diego.
While on their way to this point they
,.,rned that powerful band of Mexican
Californians (who we're noted for their
eytraordinary bk 5FlEEi prowess) had
t.ken up a position, with the intention ot
attacking them.
General Kearney advanced until within
ffeen miles of the encampment, when a
halt was made. A accommodating party
va. sent out, and learned that the Mexicans
we're posted in an Indian village
The impetuous Kearney resolved 40 at
t,cking them without delay, and the march
was resumed little before midnight.
When within a mile of the enemy, the
advance guard of the Americans suddenly
came upon small body of Mexicans, and
q sharp skirmish Immediately ensued Kit
Carson was one of the attacking party, and
found that the affair was but the prelude
10 a most desperate fight
They attempted to secure the loose
animals of the enemy, but they were SO
security guarded that the attempt failed
Another trial was made with much larger
force. Kit Carson was one of the foremost
in the charge, and, when going at a rapid
callop, his horse fell and threw him with
such force that the stock of his rife was
shattered. Before he could rise, nearly
the whole party passed over him, but,
providentially, without serious injury.
When all had passed, Carson rose, and
seeing a dead dragoon near, he took his
gun and cartridgebox, and plunged into
the thickest of the fight The fight was
fercely contested, number of Americans
being killed but the Mexicans were dis
lodged at last, and compelled to retreat.
A singular and sad fatality now befel the
Americans.
Nearly all were mounted upon mules,
which, being unframed, became so Internal
II stubborn as to be entirely unmanageable.
The cavalry, despite the most furious
e1artions, could not prevent being widely
separated, seeing which, the Me1icans
turned about and made at them again.
1: now became nothing less than a mas
sacre Out of forty who were mounted,
only four escaped death or serious wounds.
General Kearney seeing the fearful
Slaughter, drew his sword and placed him
self at the head Of the remainder Of his
men. Badly wounded though he was, he
fought with his characteristic bravery,
when one of his lieutenants arrived on the
ground with two mountain howitzers. Be
FIRE these could be unlimbered, nearly
every man who had charge of them was
placed hors an combat. The horses belong
ing 10 one of the guns were lassoed, and,
before our forces could prevent it, the piece
Itself was three hundred yards away, and
turned against them. For some reason, it
failed to be discharged, although the
Msxicans made repeated efforts.
After this disastrous repulse, and with
only one or two officers left him, General
Kaarnev and his survivors were compelled
70 take refuge at point of rocks near at
hand. Here they were left alone for the
present., and darkness settled upon the
scene.
There vas no rest for the Americans
during the night. They were engaged IN
bgrying the dead, attending to the wounded,
and in keeping watch against their Vlgllant
enemy.
4 council Of war was held, and it was
decided TO move forward in the morning,
ia the hope Of meeting reinforcemeuts.
General Kearney had sent three mes
seugers TO Commodore Stockton al San
Diego previous 10 the battle, but whether
they had succeeded in reaching him he
could on . conjecture.
Just before the Sight, they had come
within sight, when the Mexioans had cap
t1rcd all Of them.
Immediately after the march begun in
the moring, Kearney halted, and sending
ioFFard flag of truce, he succeeded in
exchanging prisoner for one of the cap
t2red ezpressmen, but only learned that he
and his companions, finding it impossible
reach San Diego, had turned back.
The march was continued until late in
the day, the Me1icans constantly lowering
near them, when, as our friends were in a
hort distance of the water where theyl
Intended camping, their enemies divided
INTO two commands, and charged upon them.
not fight took place, but the Americans
we're compelled to give way, and to retreat
NIL near at hand.
The Mexicans withdrew to neighboring
oil from which they opened deadly fire