Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-06-27
A Scrap Of CallrornIa n.storL !.

SOnoma Index
In the year 1874, when the Califor-
mans were striving hard to gain their
independence and the Republic of
Mexico was rife with rebellion, Mich
eltOreno. with a small force of liber-
ated conyicts. was sent TO reduce the
C%alifornians to submission. After a
series of skirmishes with various re-
suits the forces met on the plains of
San Fernandez. The native Califor-
mans, under General Jose Castro.
numbered over two thousand men,
with twenty pieces of ordnance
worked by foreign gunners. They had
taken up a position on a hill, and
we're well protected by a strongly
built fertilization Of stone. The
Mexican force consisted of the small
command Of Mieheltoren0. a company
OF eighty. five Indians. uniformed by
General Sutter, trained at New Hell
vetia and commanded by Major Rufus
and Lieutenant Terre, and a rife
corps formed by the foreigners. who
elected Captain Ghand as captain,
and four pieces of artillery. The
whole force would not exceed GO
men. The Mexican force marched
steadily and u%ndisturbed until they
approached to within 500 yards Of
the Californians' Notifications. I'm
protected, and exposed to the fire
within short range, the defeat of the
Mexicans seemed certain. They had
come to a stand on the bank of a deep
gllch, and brought their four pieces
Of ordnance to the front. The fight
commenced in earnest. The we'll
directed fire of the Mexican gunners.
who were white and had seen some
military service, made deadly havoc
among the Californians. For the pur-
pose Of getting a better position Cor
the infantry, a small detachment of
rifles was Sent down the gulch. When
some two or three miles distant from
the forces, they Unexpectedly met a
company Of foreigners from Los
Angeles, and unhappily they we're
captured. However, the fighting con.
tinued, the Mexicans doing good exc.
cution. The Oalitornians fred reck-
lessly and failed, not a shot taking
effect. II has been reported that all
the artillerymen were under the iBAu-
eace Of liquor. When the capture
was reported, General Suffer, with
two or three scouts. was sent to deter
mine the truth. as doubts were en-
tertained but that it might be a
mistake, when luckless Suffer was
added 10 the number of captives.
Night came on aud found the
Hrces hOtly contesting the field. The
MeEicans determined to retire, and
moved to q hill not far distant aud
biyOuaeked on the very top, COMMAND
ing a full view Of the plain. They
formed a square with a cannon at each
corner. AL was quiet until about
three o'clock in the morning. when a
sound like that of distant thunder
was heard. All was commotion. and
The company was soon under arms and
formed for a desperate defense. The
Gqiiforpi4qs had gathered immense
herds Of horses on the plains aud
completely surrounded the encamp-
ment, intending 10 drive them over
the camps and either kill or rout tho
Nexicans. In order to frighten and
aprage the animals. they fired several
%yOiisys at them. The little company
stood ready. AID when the horses had
approached near eheagk they emptied
their muskets, and tie artillery
J pe4ged in such a volley Of grape and
canister eTQng them that thousands
we're siaio, qpdtQ gsTy late years bones
Of the horses could be seq an the
Ground Tue 9ext morning peace yas
declared. ag9 Micheltorepo was order.
ed back to AeEieql