The herald., 1893-11-19
ACQUISITION OF CALIFORNIA.

ab uluCA db L uUs
FANNY DAVENPORT.
ACQUISITION OF CALIFORNIA.
An Interesting Portion of tho History Of
This Part of the State.
G. w. Wilson in the San Bernardino
Courier: The acquisition of the territory
now embraced within the lines of the
great commonwealth OF California was
an achievement that deserves to be re-
membered by all the people who dwell
in this most favored land, and all of us
honor ourselves by honoring those en-
gagged in the battles and privations
that made that acquisition possi-
BILE. Most OF the brave men who were
engaged in that arduous and patriotic
task have gone beyond our sight into
the unknown country. Some of the
most noted of them knew personally
and we'll among them Gen. +. H. Beal,
Col. B. d. Wilson ssd D. D. W..Alsx-
ander, late sheriff of Los Angeles coun-
ty. / have listened to each Of them re.
counting the thrilling stories OF battles
fought, defeats encountered and victory
achieved, in which they participated,
and each one of them mentioned Daniel
Sexton as a man whe had risked his life
and took al many chances as any one
connected either with the army or navy.
General Beal said that he met Daniel
Sexton at the battle of San Pasqual
about the 9th of December, 1846, in the
Mexican war, and afterwards; that he
afterwards knew him we'll at San Diego
and knew OF his own knowledge that
Commodore Stockton, then in command
of the United States forces 10th ON sea
and land, engaged Daniel Sexton TO
carry war dispatches from Commodore
Stockton to General Fremont, then cup
posed to be on the march from Monterey,
CAL, to join Stockton; that Sexton
started on his journey and that he Kne
that he was entrusted with dangerous
and important duty; that he prosecuted
it as brave man should, and he had
reason to believe that Sexton neyer
! received anything from tho govern
rnsnI fors- 11ss -vors -szs benrerr oi dis
patches. B. D. Wilson gave me a
very detailed account OF the battle of
Chino, relating that be had received
commission from Commodore Stockton
to raise company of volunteers to pre-
vent q junction OF the Indians OF San
Gorgonio and San Jacinto with the
Mexican forces; that he raised his COM
pany and had occupied the ranch house
at Chino when the Mexican forces in
superior numbers surrounded and eet
fire to the house and after a stubborn
fight the command of Captain Wilson
was obliged to surrender to the Mexi.
cans that the Mexicans had determined
to shoot all the prisoners, but Daniel
Sexton came to their rescue, and having
great influence with the Indians, saved
the command from impending extermin-
alton.
Don David Alexander, who was q
member of Captain Wilson's company
and participated in the Chino fight, and
was made prisoner at that time, from
which imprisonment he was not released
until about the time of the proclama-
ton of peace, stated that Daniel Sexton
whole command of Captain Wilson, az
they were condemned TO be shot by the
MexicanH.
DR.. ]. S. Griffin, now living in Los
Angeles, was assistant surgeon and act
ing surgeon in Gen. 3. w. Kearney's
command at the battle of San Pasqual,
San Diego county, December 6, lS46;
that he first met Daniel Sexton, now of
: Cotton, at that battle; that he fought
valiantly and rendered great service to
the United States government, aud that
he knew that Sexton was employed by
Commodore STOCKTON to carry dispatches
from him to Fremont. who was supposed
to be at or near Monterey, to advise
Fremont OF the intended movement from
San Diego to Los Angeles. The service
on which Daniel Sexton was sent was
exceedingly dangerous, and could only
be performed by man we'll acquainted
with the habits and language of the peo-
pie of the country, with which Sexton
was we'll acquainted. Daniel Sexton was
brave soldier and recognized as such
by General 3enl and other officers in that
fight at San Pasqual and in other battles
against the Mexicans.
1t would be nothing but matter of
justice to this survivor of the Mexican
war if the congress of the United States
would give to Daniel Sexton sum
equal to what has been given to such
men as Sutter and others. who never did
half what Daniel Sexton did for the ac-
QUESTION OF the best portion of the
United States. The recognition of his
valuable services would come to him
very late in life, and at time when he
is too old to help himself or to do SER
vice for his country. Most of the citi
zens of Cotton are acquainted with Mr..
Sexton and know his situation finan-
cially.