30tk Congress, [ SENATE. ] Executive, 2d Session. No. 31. REPORT SECRETARY OF THE NAVY, COMMUNICATING Copies of Commodore Stockton's despatches^ relating to the mili- tary and naval operations in California, February 16, 1849. Read, and ordered to be printed ; and that 500 additional copies be printed for the use of the Senate. Navy Department, February 14, 1849. Sir: In compliance with a resolution of the Senate of the 8th instant, I have the honor to communicate herewith " a copy of the despatch of the 5th of February, 1847, of Commodore Robert F. Stockton, commanding the forces of the United States in Califor- nia," together with copies of ''such other despatches of Commo- dore Stockton relating to the naval and military operations in that country as have not heretofore been communicated to Con- gress and published." I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. Y. MASON. Hon. George M. Dallas, Vice President of the United States^ and President of the Senate. U. S. Frigate Congress, Bay of Monterey, September 18, 1846. Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your des- patches of the 15th of May, addressed to my predecessor, and sent by Passeu Midshipman McRae, who delivered them to me on board of this ship on the night of the 7th of September, soon after we came to anchor in the bay of "Santa Barbara," where I stopped on my way to this place to take on board a detachment of men -t ios 2 ' '~ C31] 2 ^,^<^ ■which I left for the defence of that place, after we had taken il on our way to San Pedro. I am happy to say in answer to that despatch, that all your in- structions contained therein had been anticipated and executed, and my proceedings forwarded to you by different routes twa Wieeks before the arrival of Mr. McRae — even that part of them suggesting that a messenger be sent across the mountains to Wash- ington; which messenger I hope you will have Seen and sent back to me before this can reach you. I send enclosed the correspondence between General Castro and myself. I did not answer his last letter, but by a verbal message, which does not properly belong to history. We found in and near his camp ten pieces of artillery — six in good order, and four spiked. The elections as far as heard from have been regularly held, and the proper officers elected. The people are getting over their first alarm, and our friends are not now afraid to avow themselves. General Castro and the governor having collected at one time so large a force together, and our remaining inactive at Monterey,, induced the belief that we were not willing to run the hazard of a fight, and that if we did we must be beaten. No one, foreigner ot native, dared aid us even with advice or information. But since Castro and the governor have been driven out of the country, the aspect of things is changed, and all is going on as well as we ought to desire. By an intercepted correspondence between the military com- mandant at Mazatlan and General Castro, it appears that arrange- ments were making to send troops into California, and General Castro is strongly urged to destroy the "nefarious enemy." But it is too late. I take the opportunity of this communication to remind you of two things that may be of some importance to be remembered. 1st.. That neither San Francisco or Monterey are susceptible, within any reasonable expense, of being defended from an attack made from the interior; every commanding position within reach of a cannon ball from the water is overlooked by adjacent hills, within gun shot. We must, therefore, bold the country along the sea coast as far south as St. Lucas, and make the river Gila and a line drawn from that river across to the Del Norte the southern boundary, all of which is now in our possession. It is not my bu- siness, perhaps, to say more on the subject. I will send you, how- ever, a map which I have made, and on which I have traced with red ink the boundary line above suggested. 2nd. That this territory within the lines marked by me should be retained by the United States, as indispensable to preserve the lives and property of our fellow citizens residing here, as well as to secure anything like permanent peace. I have put some guns on board the store ship "Erie" and made a cruiser of her. She will sail on a cruise immediately to circu- late the enclosed notice and to look out for privateers, and will touch at Panama to deliver and receive despatches. 3 [31] As soon as tke schooner Shark returns from the Columbia river, I will send her on a cruise for the protection of our -whale ships. The Savannah, Portsmouth and Cyane will continue the block- ade of the coast of Mexico, whilst I will in the Congress go up the gulf of California and pay my respects to San Jose, La Paz, Loreto and Guaymas, thence aloag the Mexican coast, thence to the Sand- wich islands, thence to San Francisco. The Warren will be obliged to lay by for extensive repairs. By which disposition of the squadron I hope to meet your ap- probation, as well as the views of Mr. Webster and his friends, who signed the letter to the President which I found amongst your last despatches. Besides, I will order the ships of the blockading squadron occasionally to change their ground and take a cruise, one after the other, for the protection of the whalers. By these courses we will cross each other's track, and so traverse the ocean as to render it somewhat hazardous for a privateer to be dodging about within our circle. Faithfully, your obedient servant, R. F. STOCKTON, Commodore^ fyc. Your letter to Commodore Biddle will be sent to the Sandwich islands by the American ship Brooklyn, which leaves this place in a day or two for Honolula. Hon. Geo. Bancroft, Secretary of the Jfavy, Washington^ D. C. [Translation.] On the road to San Pedro, August 7, 1846. Commissioned by the commandant general and chief of the divi- sion of operations in this department to present to your lordship a note, and to receive explanations, we pray you will be good enough to inform us if we will be well received, according to the rights of war. We have the honor, with this motive, to assure your lordship of our consideration and particular esteem. God and liberty. PABLO DE LA GUERRA, JOSE M. FLORES. To the Commander- IN chief Of the naval forces of the United States^ in the road of San Pedro.. 1 [ 31] ^ United States Frigate Ccingress, Bay of San Pedro, August 7, 1846. Gentlemen: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of August 7, asking "if you will be well received, ac- cording to the rights of war," and, in reply, have to inform you that you will be so received. I have the honor to be your obedient and very humble servant, R. F. STOCKTON, Commander-in-chief J Sfc.j ^c, 4'c. To Pablo de la Guerra and Jose M. Flores, Commissioners. [Translation.] Commandant cy General of Upper California. Mexican Army — Division of Operations, Head-quarters in the Mesa, August 7, 1846. The undersigned, commandant general and chief of the division of operations in this department, has the honor to direct himself to the commander- in chief of the United States naval forces anchored in the road of San Pedro, asking explanations on the conduct that he proposes to follow. Since knowing that he wishes to enter into conferences on what is most convenient to the interests of both countries, the undersigned cannot see with serenity one pretend, with flattering expressions of peace, and without the formality that war between polished nations permits, to make an invasion in the terms that your lordship has verified it. Wishing, then, (rfe amenda^^ with the governor, to avoid all the disasters'that follow a war like that which your lordship prepares, it has appeared convenient to the undersigned to send to your lordship a commission, composed of Messrs. Jose M. Flores and Pablo de la Guerra, to know the wishes of your lordship, under the conception that whatever conference may take place, it must be on the base that all hostile movements must be suspended by both forces, since, on the contrary, there will not be negotiations. The undersigned has the honor to offer to the commander of the naval forces of the United States the assurances of his considera- tion and particular esteem. God and liberty. JOSE CASTRO. To the Commander-in-chief Of the naval forces of the United States, in the road of San Pedro. 5 [31] United States Frigate Congress, Bay of San Pedro, August 7, 1846. General: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, and with you deplore the war which is now waging between Mexico and the United States. I do not desire to do more than my duty calls upon me to do. I do not wish to war against California or her people; but as she is a department of Mexico, I must war against her until she ceases to be a part of the Mexican territory. This is my plain duty. I cannot, therefore, check my operations to negotiate on any other principle than that California will declare her iildependence under the protection of the flag of the United States. If, therefore, you will agree to hoist the American flag in Cali- fornia, I will stop my forces and negotiate the treaty. Your obedient and very humble servant, R. F. STOCKTON, Commander in-chief, Sfc. To General Jose Castro, Commandant general of Upper California. [Translation.] COMMANDANTCY GENERAL OF AlTA CALIFORNIA, Camp of the Mesa, August 10, 1846. . With inexpressible surprise I have informed myself of your an- swer, given to my official note relative to explanations asked with respect to the conduct which you propose to follow in the invasion which the naval and land forces of the United States, under your command, have perpetrated this day in this department, under my command. The insidious contents of that note, and the degrading proposition which it involved, has placed me in the situation of re- producing to you the last of my communications, on account of its being thus required by the national arms committed to my care, what I represent, and to prove to you to what degree I am dispo- sed to sacrifice myself to preserve without stain the position I hold. Granted that war exists between the United States and Mexico, and that you, in your duty, carry it on in this department, which is a part of its territory; I, as a chief of Mexico, and of the forces which are under my command, am resolved to defend its integrity at all hazards, and to repel an aggression which, like yours, has no example in the civilized world — and more, if one attends to that, yet there is no expressed declaration of war between both nations. You say you cannot stop your operations to negotiate under any principle other than that California should declare her indepen- dence under the protection of the flag of the United States. Never shall I consent to commit such a low act; but, supposing that I should intend it, I would not do it under the degrading con- [31] 6 ditions which you propose. And what would be her liberty with that protection, offered her at the muzzle of the cannon 1 I do not understand itj but be assured that while she exists, I will take care that this part of the Mexican republic, in which I first saw the light, does not seal in this mode her disgrace and slavery. Still more, you believing, without doubt, that not a drop of Mex' lean blood circulates in my veins, and that I am ignorant of my attributes, you offer me the most shameful of your propositions, which is to hoist the American flag in this department of my com- mand. Never, never, never. Much could I say to you in this respectj and permit me only to ask, what would you do, were the proposition reversed ? Lastly, commodore, I repeat, I will not withhold any sacrifice to oppose your intentionsj and if, through misfortune, the flag of the United States waves in California, it will not be by my acqui- escence, nor by that of the last of my compatriots; and only if I * * * * to force and by force, in the conception that I protest solemnly, before the whole world, against the means which have been practised, or may be practised hereafter, to withdraw this de- partment from the Mexican union, to which flag I wish to belong; making you responsible for all the evils and misfortunes that may be occasioned in a war so unjust as that which will be declared against this Pacific department. I have the honor to pay to you the homage of my particular esteem. God and liberty. JOSE CASTRO. To the Commodore of the JVaval forces of the United States of America in the Pacific^ and at anchor in the road of San Pedro. Copy and translation of a letter from Rafael Felles, military com- mandant of Mazatlan, to General Jose Castroy military ^comman- dant of California. Mazatlan, August 8, 1846. Dear Sir and Esteemed Friend: Only with the object of send- ing you my friendly remembrances I take advantage of the depar- ture of the brig Republican, for your port; her captain, D. Antonio Vico, is a friend; I recommend him to you very particularly. I have learned with true grief that the perfidious Yankees have taken possession of or invaded this department; which fatal event must keep you, as well as all good Mexicans of that territory, in the greatest agony. But there is no despair; for, although at pre- sent Mexicans disagree in consequence of the bad administration of General Paredes, soon I believe the cause of discord will cease, and all will unite to recognize our rights and to overthrow the in- solent usurper of the north. Unfortunately there are among us some selfish people, who, being 7 [31] unworthy of the trust reposed in them, only seek their own advan- tage; for example, the Messrs. CastanareSj representatives of the Calif ornias . These two personages have only endeavored to draw private advantages from the commission entrusted to them; and, perhaps, they would have already gone to that department to col- lect the fruits of their perfidious machinations, if I, who know them, and feel an interest in the welfare of that country, had not prevented them as much as it was possible — as I shall continue so to do. And I assure you that, if the revolution in which I find myself plunged, triumphs, the Californians can trust they will not have the sorrow again to see on their shores those wicked men, nor any others that may resemble them. And had it not been that Car- melita Soberanes wished to take a companion of her bosom, 1 would not have ever permitted the return of Donna Anita Gonsalez to the country she has scandalized by her conduct. In fine, perhaps soon I shall have the pleasure of marching to that country; in the mean time, placing myself at the feet of your lady, dispose as you please of your affectionate friend, faithful ser- vant, &c., &c. RAFAEL FELLES. To Lieut. Col. Jose Castro. CiuDAD DE LOS Angeles, August 31, 1846. Sir: I herewith enclose to you, your commission as military commandant of this department. Martial law will continue in force throughout the whole terri- tory, until otherwise ordered by the governor of the same. Notwithstanding, however, the existence of martial law, you will permit the civil officers of the government to proceed in the exercise of their proper functions, nor will you interfere with their duties, except in cases where the peace and safety of the ter- ritory requires your aid or interference. You will take care that my procbiraation of the 17th be strictly observed throughout this department, except as to those persons who may be exempted by your written order from the operation of its provisions. You are authorized, whenever it can be prudently done, to give written permission to persons known to be friendly, to the govern- ment to be out themselves, and to send their servants out before sunrise in the morning. You are likewise authorized, to grant permission where you see i&t, to persons known to be friendly to carry arms with them, whenever it appears to you they stand in need of them for their own or their servant's protection. I enclose to you, also, some blank commissions for prefects and alcaldes, that in case the people should fail to elect either of those officers within the jurisdiction of this department, you may fill up the blank with the name of some one you may think is qualified and will accept the office, affixing the date thereto, and transmit- [31] 8v- ting to me at San Francisco by the first opportunity, the name and date of all appointments made by you. Whenever opportunity oflFers you will write to me, as to the state of the country, and the feelings of the people within this department. Faithfully, your obedient servant, R. F. STOCKTON, Governor and commander-in-chief. To Captain A. H. Gillespie, Military commandant of the southern department. V. S. — Sent that you may see how I have tempered the rigors^ of indispensable military law, with the appliances of peace. R. F. S. Organization of the army of California. GENERAL ORDER. Besides the governor and commander in chief, there will be from this day a military commandant of the territory of California, whose duty it will be to superintend and direct all the military operations in the territory, according to the directions that he may from time to time receive from the governor, to whom he will re- port all his proceedings. The territory will hereafter be divided into three military departments, to each of which will be appoint- ed a military commandant, who will receive instructions from, and be responsible to, the military commandant of the territory. R. F. STOCKTON, Governor and commander-in-chief of the territory of California. CiuDAD DE LOS Angeles, Sept. 2, 1846. CIRCULAR. You are hereby advised that war exists between the United States of North America and Mexico, and are cautioned to guard against an attack from Mexican privateers, and all vessels under the Mexican flag. The territory of California has been taken possession of by the forces under my command, and now belongs to the United States, and you will find safe anchorage and protection in the harbor of San Francisco during any season of the year. R. F. STOCKTON, Commodore^ Sfc. U. S. Frigate Congress. 9 [ 31 I ^ U. S. Frigate Congress, Bay of Monterey J Sept. 19, 1846. Sir: I am informed by express from Commander Montgomery, at San Francisco, that Suter's fort, on the Sacramento, is threat- ened by a thousand Indians from the Oregon, of the Wallow Wal- low tribe. The cause of their hostility appears to be this: about a year since one of their chiefs was deliberately murdered at Suter's fort by a man named Cook. The Erie is under way, and I have only time to say, that I shall go after them immediately with the crews of this ship and the Sa- vannah, and I will give them satisfaction or a fight. Will you please to send to me by Mr. Norris a good spy-glass. Faithfully, your obedient servant, R. F. STOCKTON, Commodore^ S^c. To the Hon. George Bancroft, Secretary of the JVavy^ Washington^ D. C. No. 8. San Diego, Head-quarters of^ ^c, ^c, JYovember 23, 1846. Sir: By the celebrated Mexican armed brig "Malek Adhel," which was captured and taken out of the harbor of Mazatlan by the boats of the U. S ship Warren, I have the honor to send this despatch for you as far as Mazatlan, and to say that several other vessels, perhaps thirteen or fourteen, have been captured by the Cyane and Warren, official reports of which, however, have not yet reached me; but I have reason to hope and believe that every vessel by which our commerce in this ocean could probably be in- terrupted has been captured by Commander Hull, in the Warren, or Commander Dupont, in the Cyane. Those oncers deserve praise for the manner in which they have blockaded and watched the Mexican coast during the most incle- ment season of the year. The enclosed letters, from No. 1 to 4, will acquaint you with the position of the squadron and the affairs of this territory, as well as with my intentions in regard to the further prosecution of the war up to the 30th September — when the intelligence reached me that all the Mexican officers in the territory, with the excep- tion of one or two, had violated their oaths, and again taken up arms against the United States, with which insurrection, and the consequent alteration of all my preconcerted plans, it will be the further object of this despatch to make you acquainted. The war in California being, as I supposed, at an end, and hav- ing ordered the other ships of the squadron to the coast of Mexico, there to await my arrival, I was about to transfer the government [31] 10 of California to'.other hands, and to sail as soon as possible in the Congress for Acapulco, where I expected to land and lend our aid to the war in that part of Mexico, when I was informed by express that the Mexican officers had violated their oaths, and commenced anew the war by a midnight attack on the party of fifty men left at Ciudad de los Angeles. The enclosed proclamation No. 5, signed by Jose Ma Flores, a captain in the Mexican army, and on parole, will give you some idea of the disposition of those depraved men. At this time Major Fremont had gone to the Sacramento to en- list men for me to take to Acapulco. I immediately sent to him. to come to San Francisco, with as many men and saddles as he could get to embark in the sh'p Sterling, that we might by prompt action surprise the enemy at Santa Barbara, only three days march from de los A.ngeles; whilst I would go directly to San Pedro and march to the city, where I would certainly be able to calculate within a day or two the time I would receive his co-operation. Whilst the necessary preparations were making to carry out this plan of surprise, and at once to put down the insurrection, I or- dered the Savannah (then under sailing orders for the coast of Mexico,) to go immediately to San Pedro, and afford all the aid in her power to our little garrison at the city. I left San Francisco in company with the Sterling, but having crossed the bar before her, I hove too till she came out, and then I steered with a fair wind down along the coast; on our way we spoke the ship Barnstable from Monterey with despatches from the commanding officer there, stating that Monterey would probably he attacked, and that he required immediate reinforcement; I went immediately to Montery, leaving the Sterling with a fair wind on Iier way to Santa Barbara. I arrived the next day at Monterey and landed two officers, Messrs. Baldwin and Johnston, with fifty men and three pieces of artillery; and having fortified the town against any probable force in California, I left for San Pedro, looking into Santa Barbara as I passed to see how the Sterling made out; but she had not arrived, although she ought to have been there several days previous. I passed on to San Pedro, where I found the Savannah? Captain Mfirvine, commander of the Savannah, informed me that on his arrival there, he found on board of the ship Vandalia the party of volunteers who had been besieged at the Pueblo, and to whose as- sistance he had been despatched, but who had been permitted by treaty to retire with their arms on board of this vessel — that about two weeks before my arrival, he had landed with his men and the aboveraentioned volunteers and marched for the city, that he met a body of mounted men with a field piece, with whom he had an engagement, that he had not taken any artillery with him, and they had driven him back to his ship, with the loss of four men killed and some wounded, and that he had remained on board since that time waiting for me. ' He says that his officers and men behaved well — that they made several eflforts to take the field piece from the enemy, but they 11 [ 31 ] could not overtake it. In truth, nothing short of a locomotive en- gine can catch them well mounted fellows. I did not like this proceeding or its probable consequences; but I have no more to say about it at present. Elated by this transient success, which the enemy, with his usual want of veracity, magni- fied into a great victory, they collected in large bodies on all the adjacent hills, and would not permit a hoof except their own horses to be withip fifty miles of San Pedro. I had, however, agreed to land there, to be in readiness to co- operate with the forces under Major Fremont expected from Santa Barbara; and therefore determined to do so in the face of their boasting insolence, and there again to hoist the glorious stars in the presence of their horse covered hills. Orders were accordingly given to prepare to land the troops in the morning, and a party of the volunteers, as you will see by a general order here enclosed, and marked No. 6, were ordered to land before day-light, to cover the general landing which was to be made up a very steep bank and in the face of the enemy. The volunteers failed to land in time, in consequence of a fan- cied force of the enemy; not so with the sailors and marines, who were ready in the boats alongside of the two ships, and who, as soon as I discovered that the volunteers had not succeeded, I or- dered to land. The boats of the Savannah were under the imme- diate command of Captain Mervine; those of the Congress un- der the immediate command of Lieutenant Commandant Livings- ton, and performed the service in a most gallant manner, being myself present. On our approach to the shore, the enemy fired a few muskets without harm and fled; we took possession, and once more hoisted our flag at San Pedro. General order, marked No. 7, will show you how- 1 estimated the conduct of the troops at the time. The troops remained encamped at that place for several days before the insurgents, who covered the adjacent hills, and until both officers and men had become almost worn out by chasing and skirmishing with and watching thera, and until I had given up all hope of the co-operation of Major Fremsnt. Besides, the enemy had driven off every animal, man, and beast, from that section of the country, and'it was not possible, by any mpans in our power, to carry provisions for our march to the city. I resolved, therefore, to embark the troops, and waste no more time there, but to go down south, and if possible, to get animals somewhere along the coast, before the enemy could know or pre- vent it, and to mount my own men, and march to the city by the southern route. I left the Savannah to look out for Major Fremont, and taking the volunteers on board of the Congress, proceeded down the coast, as far as San Diego, where Lieutenant Minor was in command. Two days after my arrival at San Diego, the " Malek Adhel " arrived from Monterey, with despatches from Major Fremont, in which he says: " We met the Vandalia with information of the oc- currences below. Mr. Howard represented that the enemy had [ 31 ] 12 ■ driven off all the horses and cattle, so that it would be impossible to obtain either, for transportation or supplies. Under the cir- cumstances, and in virtue of the discretionary authority you have given me, I judged it of paramount necessity to haul up im- mediately for this port, with the intention t© send for all the mett who could be raised in the north, and for the band of horses which I had left on the Cosumne. In the meantime we should be able to check the insurrection here, and procure horses and supplies, so as to be in readiness to march to the southward immedietely on the arrival of our reinforcements," On the receipt of this letter, having arranged with Lieutenant Minor to send a vessel down the coast for horses and cattle, I re- turned to San Pedro, and sent the Savannah back to Monterey, to facilitate as far as 1 could the preparations of Major Fremont. On my return to San Diego, I found that the expedition south had been successful, that the party had obtained about sixty useful horses, two hundred head of cattle, and five hundred sheep. On the afternoon of our arrival, the enemy, irritated, I suppose, by the loss of his animals, came down in considerable force and made an attack; they were, however, soon driven back, with the loss of two men and horses killed, and four wounded. Those skirmishes, or running fights, are of almost daily occurrencej since we have been here, we have lost, as yet, but one man killed, and one wounded. One hundred more horses will enable me to mount some of my own men, and before long, I expect to be a general of dragoons^ as well as commodore^ governor^ and commander in-cheif. I have been thus particular in this despatch, that you may see that all that unflinching labor and perseverance on my part, and inflexible patriotism and courage on the part of my officers and men could do to suppress this rebellion, has been done; and that, although we may still be, for some time, annoyed by those daily skirmishes, yet the rebels cannot, in all probability, much longer avert the doom that awaits them. Faithfully, your obedient servant, R. F. STOCKTON. To the Hon. George Bancroft, Secretary of the JVavi/j Washington, D. C. No. 1. U. S. Frigate Congress, Harbor of San Francisco, September 30, IS'IG. Sir: You will, as soon as you are ready, proceed to sea under your sealed orders, with this modification, however. You will, on falling in with the Cyane,send her immediately to San Francisco, instead of detaining her on the coast as heretofore directed. 13 [ 31 ] The Congress and Cyane will, by this arrangement, it is expected, be ready to relieve the Savannah and Portsmouth. If despatches from the government should arrive at Mazatlan between this and the first of December, you will open them; and if notice of peace, you will leave copies of the despatches at Mazat- lan for me, in case I should arrive there after you have left, and come to San f rancisco and prepare the Savannah to return to the United States. If Mr. Norris should arrive from the United States at Mazatlan before I reach there, you will bring him in the Savannah or send him in the Portsmouth as soon as possible to this place, without opening the despatches. The enclosed letter contains a despatch for the Secretary of the Navy. You will please to make every ex- ertion, without regard to expense, to get it forwarded by Mr. Mott, or some one else. You will also draw for the use of this squadron any sum of money, not exceeding one hundred thousand dollars, that you may be enabled to get at Mazatlan. Please to seal the letter to Mott, Talbot & Co. before you deli- ver it; I leave it open in case you should find it best to deliver the despatch to other hands. Faithfully, your obedient servant, R. F. STOCKTON, Commodore^ Sfc, To Captain Wm. Mervine, U. S. Frigate Savannah, harbor of San Francisco. No. 2. U. S. Frigate Congress, Harbor of San Francisco ^ October 1, 1846. Sir: On my arrival here with the Congress and Savannah in pur- suit of the Wallow Wallow Indians, I was glad to find that their numbers had been greatly exaggerated, and that they were friendly disposed. I have a message from the chief, stating that he was friendly and would come down to see me. I will send the Savannah on her cruise to-morrow, and the Portsmouth in a few days; and will follow myself in the Congress as soon as I can, (if not sooner superseded by Commodore Biddle,) to carry out my views in regard to Mexico, with which I have not thought it necessary or expedient yet to acquaint the department. Our new [;overnment goes on well; I am arranging for a weekly mail from one end of the territory to the other; it will not, I think, cost over three or four thousand dollars per annum, which will be less expensive than the necessary expenses to keep one properly informed in regard to every part of the territory. If any chance is given, I have no doubt an etfort will be made by the Mexicans to recover the territory; troops are ready to come [31] 14 from MexicOj but if they are not seen on their way, I'll make them fight their first battle at Acapulco, or between that and the city of Mexico. I have not, it is true, a great force, but their enthusiasm and impetuosity must make up the want of numbers. Faithfully, your obedient servant, R. F. STOCKTON, Commodore J Sfc. To the Hon. George Bancroft, Secretary of the JVavy, Washington^ D. C. No. 3. • . U, S. Frigate Congress, Bay of Monterey, [Sept ember 19, 1816. [confidential.] Dear Sir: I have sent Major Fremont to the north to see how many men he could recruit, with a view to embark them for Ma- zatlan or Acapulco; where, if possible, I intend to land and fight our way as far on to the city of Mexico as I can. With this object in view, your orders of this date in relation to having the squadron in such places as may enable me to get them together as soon as possible, are given. You will, on your arrival on the coast, get all the information you can in reference to this matter. I would that we might shake hands with General Taylor at the gates of Mexico. Faithfully, your obedient servant, R. F. STOCKTON, Commodore^ ^c. To Captain Wm. Mervine, U. S. Frigate Savannah. No. 4. U. S. Frigate Congress, Harbor of Sar^ Francisco, September 28, 1846. [private ] Sir: I am here anxious to know what prospect there is of your being able to recruit my thousand men, for a visit to Mexico. Let me know as soon as possible, many serious arrangements 15 [ 31 ] •will have to be made, all requiring more or less time, which, you know in war, is* more precious than "rubies," Your faithful frieiid and obedient servant, R. F. STOCKTON, Governor J ^c. To Major Fremont, Military Commandant of the Territory of California. No. 5. PROCLAMATION OF JOSE MA FLORES. Mexican Army, Section of Operations. Angeles, Oc^oJer 1, 1846. Fellow Citizens: It is a month and a half that, by lamentable fatality, fruit of the cowardice and inability of the first authorities of the department, we behold ourselves subjugated and oppressed by an insigoificant force of adventurers of the United States of America, and placing us in a worse condition than that of slaves. They are dictating to us despotic and arbitrary laws, and load- ing us with contributions and onerous burdens, which have for an object the ruin of our industry and agriculture, and to force us to abandon our property to be possessed and divided amoncr them- selves. And shall, we be capable to allow ourselves to be subjugated, and to accept, by our silence, the weighty chains of slavery? Shall we permit to be lost the soil inherited from our fathers, which cost them so much blood and so many sacrifices'? Shall we make our families victims of the most barbarous slavery? Shall we wait to see our wives violated — our innocent children punished by the American whips — our propeity sacked — our temples profaned ^ and, lastly, to drag through an existence full of insult and shame? No! a thousand times no! Countrymen, first death! Who of you does not feel his heart beat with violence; who does not feel his blood boil, to contemplate our situation; and who will be the Mexican who will not feel indignant, and who will not rise to take up arms to destroy our oppressors? We believe there is not one so vile and cowardly. With such a motive the majority of the inhabitants of the districts, justly indignant against our tyrants, raise the cry of war, with arms in their hands, and of one accord swear to sustain the following articles: 1st. We, the inhabitants of the department of California, as members of the great Mexican nation, declare that it is, and has been, our wish to belong to her alone, free and independent. 2nd. Consequently the authorities intended and named by the invading forces of the United States are held null and void. 3rd. All the North Americans, being enemies of Mexico, we [31] 16 swear not to lay down our arms, till they are expelled from the Mexican territory. 4th. All Mexican citizens, from the age of 15 to 60, who do not take up arms to forward the present plan, are declared traitors and under pain of death. 5th. Every Mexican or foreigner who may directly or indirectly aid the enemies of Mexico will be punished in the same manner. 6th. The property of the North Americans in the department, who may have directly or indirectly taken part with, or aided the enemies, shall be confiscated and used for the expenses of the war; and their persons shall be taken to the interior of the republic. 7th. AH those who may oppose the present plan will be pun- ished with arms. 8th. All the inhabitants of Santa Barbara, and the district of the north, will be invited immediately to adhere to the present plan. Camp in Angeles, September 24, 1846. Servalo Barelas, Leonardo Cota. [The signatures of more than 300 persons.] JOSE MA FLORES. No. 6. GENERAL ORDER. United States Frigate Congress, Off San Pedro J October 26, 1846. Captain Gillespie, with fifty men, will be landed at 4 o'clock, a. m., to-morrow, to surprise the enemy. The oars of the boats must be mujffled, and the men pull without the least noise, and perfect silence must be observed. If Captain Gillespie requires aid, he will fire a rocket, when the boats of the ships will be ready to go to his assistance. If Captain Gillespie meets no opposition in taking possession of the houses, he will conceal his force so as to shoot any spies that may venture inside of rifle range [never shooting too quick) to op- pose the landing of the troops. If Captain Gillespie does not require assistance, the rest of the troops will not land until after breakfast, which will be taken at 7 o'clock, and the forces prepared to disembark at half past eight o'clock, when a signal to that effect is made. Captain Gillespie will keep his position until the troops are landed, when he will return on board to breakfast. If the troops are required to land before breakfast, the force from the fiigate Savannah will be commanded by Captain Mervinej those from the Congress by Lieutenant Commandant Livingston. 17 [ 31 ] The commander-in-chief intends to lead on the attack, if there be one, in person. By order of the commander-in-chief. J. ZEILIN, Brevet captain and adjutant. No. 7. GENERAL ORDER. United States Frigate Congress, Bay of San Pedro, October 28, 1846. The commander-in-chief commends the determined courage with which the officers, sailors, and marines landed, (in despite of the false alarm as to the enemy's force) and again hoisted the Ameri- can standard at San Pedro. The important duties of the commander-in-chief, and the entire want of camp equipage, or other necessary accommodation, require him whilst the troops are in camp on the beach, to retain his head- quarters on board of the ship; but, brave comrades, be assured that he will superintend and direct all your operations, and when in danger he will be, as he was yesterday morning, in the midst of you. Every officer and man must be ready at a moment's notice to march to the Puebla to support Major Fremont's volunteers, or to go on bo?,rd of ship to the relief of our gallant brothers in arms at San Diego and Monterey, who are threatened with an attack by overwhelming forces. Brave men, however various and different your duties may be, the commander-in-chief is satisfied you will give the most willing aid to all his operations in defence of the honor and glory of our country. By order of the commander-in-chief. J. ZEILIN, Brevet captain and adjutant. Head -QUARTERS, Ciudad de los Angeles, January 11, 1847. Sir: My last letter to the department will have informed you of the defeat of Captain Mervine at San Pedro, and the return of Colonel Fremont, with the force under his command, to Monterey, since which time I have not heard from him; and of my being at San Diego surrounded by the insurgents, and entirely destitute of all means of transportation. We succeeded at last, however, in getting animals two hundred and forty miles to the southward of San Diego, aad in driving them, in despite of the insurgents, into the {garrison. [31] 18 S I have now the honor to inform you that it has pleased God to j crown our poor efforts to put down the rebellion, and to retrieve the credit of our arms with the most complete success. The in- surgents again elated by the defeat of General Kearny at vSan Pasqual,and the capture of one of his guns, determined with his ■whole force to meet us on our march from San Diego to this lace, and to decide the fate of the territory by a general battle. Having made the best preparation I could in the face of a boast- ing and vigilant enemy, we left San Diego on the 29th day of De- cember (that portion of the insurgent army who had been watch- ing and annoying us having left to join the main body) with about six hundred fighting men, composed of detachments from the ships Congress, Savannah, Portsmouth, and Cyane, aided by Gen- eral Kearny, with a detachment of sixty men on foot from the first regiment of United States dragoons, and with Captain Gillespie, with sixty mounted riflemen. We marched nearly one hundred and forty miles in ten days, and found the rebels, on the 8th day of January, in a strong posi- tion, on the high bank of the " Rio San Gabriel," with six hun- dred mounted men, and four pieces of artillery, prepared to dis- pute our passage across that river. We waded through the water, dragging our guns after us, against the galling fire of the enemy, without exchanging a shot until we reached the opposite shore, when the fight became general, and ©ur troops having repelled a charge of the enemy, charged up the bank in a most gallant manner, and gained a most complete vic- tory over the insurgent army. • The next day, on our march across the plains of the " Mesa" to this place, the insurgents made another desperate effort to save the capital and their own necks; they were concealed with their artil- lery in a ravine until we came within gunshot, \ hen they opened a brisk fire from their field pieces en our right flank, and at the same time charged bolh on our front and rear; we soon silenced their guns and repelled the charge, when they fled and permitted us the next morning to march into town without any further oppo- sition. We have rescued the country from the hands of the insurgents, but I fear that the absence of Colonel Fremont's battalion of mounted riflemen will enable most of the Mexican officers, who have broken their parole, to escape to Sonora. I am happy to say that our loss in killed and wounded does not exceed twenty, whilst we are informed that the enemy has lost be- tween seventy and eighty. This despatch must go immediately, and I will wait another op- portunity to furnish } ou with the details of these two battles, and the gallant conduct of the officers and men under my command, with their names. Faithfully, your obedient servant, R. F. STOCKTON, Commodore^ fyc. To the honorable George Bancroft, Secretary of the JYavyy Washingiouj P. C. 19 [31] P. S. — Enclosed I have the honor to send to you a translation of the letter handed to me by the commissioners, mentioned in an- other part of this despatch, sent by Jose M. Flores, to negociate a peace honorable to both nations. The verbal answer stated in an- other page of this letter was sent to this renowned general and commander-in-chief; he had violated his honor, and I would not treat with him nor write to him. [Translation.] Civil and Military Government of THE Department of California, January 1, 1847. The undersigned, governor and commandant general of the de- partment and commanderin chifcf of the national troops, has the honor to address himself to the commanderin chief of the naval and land forces of the United States of North America, to say that he has been informed by persons worthy of credit, that it is pro- bably at this time the differences which have altered the relations of friendship between the Mexican Republic and that of the United States of North America have ceased, and that you looked for the news of the arrangements between the two governments by the schooner Shark, expected every moment on this coast. A number of days have elapsed since the undersigned wa^ in- vited by several foreign gentlemen, settled in this country, to en- ter into a communication with you — they acting as mediators — to obtain an honorable adjustment for both forces, in consequence of the evils which all feel are caused by the unjust war you wage, but the duty of the undersigned prohibited him from doing so, and if, to-day, he steps beyond the limits marked out by it, it is with the confidence inspired by the hope there exists a definite arrange- ment between the two nations; for the undersigned being animated with the strongest wishes for the return of peace, it would be most painful to him not to have taken the means to avoid the useless effusion of human blood, and its terrible consequences, during mo- ments when the general peace might have been secured. The undersigned flatters himself with this hope, and for that reason has thought it opportune to direct you this note, which will he placed in your hands by Messrs. Julian Workman and Charles Fluge, who have voluntarily offered themselves to act as mediators. But if, unfortunately, the mentioned news should prove untrue, and you should not be disposed to grant a truce to the evils under which this unfortunate country suffers, of which you alone are the cause, may the terrible consequences of your want of consideration fall on your bead. The citizens, all of whom compose the national forces of this departceent, are decided, firmly, to bury themselves under the rums of their country, combating to the last moment, before consenting to the tyranny and ominous discretionary power of the agents of the government of the United States of North [ 31 ] 20 America. This is no problem; different deeds of arms prove that they know how to defend their rights on the field of battle. The undersigned still confides you will give a satisfactory solution to this affair, and in the mean time has the honor of offering to you the assurance of his consideration and private esteem. God and liberty. JOSE M. FLORES. GENERAL ORDER. Head-quarterSj Ciudad de LOS Angeles, January 11, 1847. The commander-in-chief congratulates the officers and men of the southern division of United States forces in California, on the brilliant victories obtained by them over the enemy on the 8th and 9th instants, and on once more taking possession of the "Ciudad de los Angeles." He takes the earliest moment to commend their gallantry and good conduct, both in the battle fought on the 8th, on the banks of the *'Rio San Gabriel," and on the 9th instant, on the plains of the "Mesa." The steady courage of the troops in forcing their passage across the "Rio San Gabriel," where officers and men were alike em- ployed in dragging the guns through the water, against the galling fire of the enemy without txchanging a shot, and their gallant charge up the banks against the enemy's cavalry, has perhaps never lieen surpassed; and the cool determination with which in the battle of the 9th, they repulsed the charge of cavalry made by the enemy at the same time on their front and rear, has extorted the admiration of the enemy and deserves the best thanks of their countrymen. R. F. STOCKTON, Governor and commander-in-chief of the Territory of California. Head-quarters, Ciudad de los Angeles, January 15, 1847. Sir: Referring to my letter of the 11th, I have the honor to in- form you of the arrival of Lieutenant Colonel Fremont at this place with four hundred men; that some of the insurgents have made their escape to Sonora, and that the rest have surrendered to our arms. Immediately after the battles of the 8th and 9th, they began to disperse; and I am sorry to say that their leader, Jose M. Flores, made his escape, and that the others have been pardoned by a ca- pitulation agreed upon by Lieutenant Colonel Fremont. 21 • [31] Jose M. Flores, the commander of the insurgent forces, two or three days previous to the 8thj sent two commissioners, with a flag of truce, to my camp to make ''a treaty of peace.'''' I informed the commissioners that I could not recognize Jose M. Flores, who had broken his parole, as an honorable man, or as one having any rightful authority, or worthy to be treated with; that he was a rebel in arms, and if I caught him, I would have him shot. It seemed that, not being able to negotiate with me, and having lost the battles of the 8th and 9th, they met Colonel Fremont, on the 12th instant, on his way here, who, not knowing what had oc- curred, entered into the capitulation with them, which I now send to you; and although I refused to do it myself, still I have thougjht it best to approve it. I am •glad to say, that, by the capitulation, we have recovered the gun taken by the insurgents at the sad de- feat of General Kearny at San Pasqual. The territory of California is again tranquil, and the civil gov- ernment, formed by me, is again in operation in the places where it was interrupted by the insurgents. Colonel Fremont has five hundred men in his battalion, which •will be quite sufficient to preserve the peace ©f the territory; and I will immediately withdraw my sailors and marines, and sail, as soon as possible, for the coast of Mexico, w^here I hope they will give a good account of themselves. Faithfully, your obedient servant, R. F. STOCKTON, Commodore^ ^c. To the Hon. George Bancroft, Secretary of the JYavyj Washington, D. C. To all to whom theSe presents shall come^ greeting: Know ye that, in consequence of propositions of peace, or ces- sation of hostilities, being submitted to me, as commandant of the Californian battalion of United States forces, which has so far been acceded to by me, as to cause me to appoint a board of com- missioners to confer with a similar board appointed by the Cali- fornians, and it requiring a little time to close the negotiations, it is agreed upon, and ordered by me, that an entire cessation of hos- tilities shall take place until to-morrow afternoon, (January 13,) and that the said Californians be permitted to bring in their wounded to the mission of San Fernandez, where, also, if they choose, they can remove their camp, to facilitate said negotia- tions. •Given under my hand and seal this twelfth day of January, 1847. J. C. FREMONT, . Lieutenant Colonel United States army, and Military Commandant of California. 1 [ 31 ] - 22 Articles of capitulation made and entered into at the ranch of Co- wenga, this thirteenth day of January, Anno Domini, eighteen hundred and forty seven, between P. B. Reading, Major, Louis McLane, jr., commanding artillery, Wyn. H. Russell, ordnance officer, commissioners appointed by J. C. Fremont, lieutenant colonel, United States army, and military commandant of the territory of California, and Jose Antonio Carrillo, commandant esquadron, Augustin Olvera, diputado, commissioners, appointed by Don Andres Pico, commander-in-chief of the Caltfornian forces under the Mexican fag. Art. 1. The commissioners on the part of the Californians, agree that their entire force shall on j)resentation of themselves to Lieutenant Colonel Fremont, deliver up their artillery and public arms, and they shall return peacebly to their homes, conforming to the laws and regulations of the United States, and not again take up arms during the war between the United States and Mexico, but will assist and aid in placing the country in a state of peace and tranquility. Art. 2. The commissioners on the part of Lieutenant Colonel Fremont agree and bind themselves on the fulfilment of the 1st ar- ticle by the Californians, that they shall be guarantied protection of life and property whether on parole or otherwise. Art. 3. That until a treaty of peace be made and signed between the United States of North America and the republic of Mexico, no Califoraian or other Mexican citizen shall be bound to take the oath of alleo-iance. Art. 4. That any Californian or other citizen of Mexico desir- ing, is permitted by this capitulation to leave the country without let or hindrance. Art. 5. That in virtue of the aforesaid articles, equal rights and privileges are vouchsafed to every citizen of California, as are en- joyed by the citizens of the United States of North America. Art. 6. All officers, citizens, foreigneis, or others, shall receive the protection guarantied by the 2d article. Art. 7. This capitulation is intended to be no bar in effecting such arrangements as may in future be in justice, required by both P"^ies. p. B. READING, Major California Battalion. WM. H. RUSSELL, Ordnance Officer of California Battalion. LOUIS McLANE, Jr. Commanding Artillery California Battalion. JOSE ANTONIO CARRILLO, Commandante de Esquadron. AUGUSTIN OLVERA, Diputado. Approved. j. c. FREMONT, Lt. Col. U. S. army, and Military . . Commanda7it of California. Approbado. ANDRES PICO, Commandante de Esquadron y en Gefe de lasfuereas nacionales en California^ 23 [ 31 ] Additional article. That the paroJes of all officers, citizens, antl others of the I/nited States, and of naturalized citizens of Mexico, are by this foregoing capitulation cancelled, and every condition of said paroles from and after this date are of no farther force and effect, and all pris- oners of both parties are hereby released. P. B. READING, Major California Battalion c LOUS McLANE, Jr., \ Commanding Artillery California Battalion. WM. H. RUSSELL, Ordnance Officer of California Battalion. JOSE ANTONIO CARRILLO, Commandante de Esquadron, AUGUSTIN OLVERA, Diputado. Approved. J. C. FREMONT, Lt. Col. U. S. armyj and Military Commandant of California. Approbad. ANDRES PICO, Commandante de Esquadron. y en Gefe de las fuereas nacionales en California. ClUDAD.DE LOS AnGELES, January 16, 1847. United States Frigate Congress, Harbor of San Diego, January 22, 1847. Sir: I have the honor to inform you that the civil government of this territory is in successful operation, that Colonel Fremont is acting as governor, and Colonel Russell as secretary, and that I am again on board of the Congress preparing her for the coast of Mexico. Lieutenant Gray, who is charged with my despatches, has been my aid-de-camp, and has done his duty with great good conduct and gallantry. He is the officer whom I sent to relieve General Kearny from his perilous condition after his defeat at San Pasqual, and deserves the consideration of the department. He will be able to give you the particulars of that unfortunate and disastrous affair. Faithfullv. your obedient servant, R. F. STOCKTON, Commodore^ ^c^ To the honorable George Bancroft, Secretary of the JVavy, Washington, D. C. [31] 24 1 U. S. Frigate ^'Congres?," ■ Harbor of San Diego, February 4, 1847. Sir: As the guardian of the honor and services of the navy, I take leave to send to you the following narrative. This case re- quires no argument; nor wUl I make a single remark in relation to the extraordinary conduct of General Kearny, or the indefensible language of his notes: ^'demands,^^ '■'■personal collision,'''' ^^civil war,^^ and the bold assertion that the country was not conquered un- til the 8th and 9th of January by the troops under his command^ speak for themselves. I only desire at this time that you will call the attention of the President to it, and ask that General Kearny may be recalled from the territory, to prevent the evil consequences that may grow out of such a temper and such a head. Last September I ordered an express mail to be sent in charge of Mr. Carson, from the "Ciudad de "los Angeles" to the city of Washington, to inform the President that the territory of Califor- nia had been conquered, and a civil government established there- in. Mr. Carson was met on his way, and only within four days travel of Santa Fe, by General Kearny, to whom he communicated the above intelligence, and that Col. Fremont was to be Governor. General Kearny sent back to Santa Fe a large part of the force under his command, but came himself to the territory with a de- tachment of dragoons; he would not permit Mr. Carson to proceed with the express, but insisted that he should return with him to Ca- lifornia. On the 3d of December I received a letter from General Kearny by Mr. E. Stokes, which I now enclose, marked No. 1. I immediately despatched Captain Gillespie and Mr. Stokes, with about thirty-nine mounted riflemen, to the ^^head-quarters of the army of the West,^^ with the letter marked No. 2. Mr. Stokes said that the General had informed him that he had *\bout three hun- dred and fifty men with him. On the night of the 6th Mr. Stokes returned to San Diego, and informed me that General Kearny had attempted to surprise the insurgents early that morning, in their camp at San Pasqual; that a battle ensued, in which the General was worsted, but to what extent he could .not accurately state, because he came off immedi- ately after the firing ceased, without communicating with any one on the field of battle; that the General had lost many killed and "wounded, and one of his guns had been taken; that the insurgents were commanded by Acdres Pico, who had with him about one hundred men. The next day Mr. Godey came in express from the General's camp, and confirmed the sad intelligence of his defeat, bringing the eiiclosed letter from Captain Turner of the dragoons, marked No. 3. On Wednesday night, the 9th instant. Lieutenant Beale, of the navy, came in from the General's camp, and stated that the force under General Kearny's command had attempted to surprise the insurgents on the morning of the 6th at San Pasqual; that in the fight which ensued General Kearny had been defeated, with the 25 [ 31 ] loss of eighteen or nineteen killed, and thirteen or fourteen wound- edj that General Kearny and his whole force were besieged on a small hill of rocks, and so surrounded by the enemy, that it was impossible for them to escape unless immediate assistance was sent to them; that all their cattle had been taken away from them, and that they were obliged to eat their mules; that they were burning and destroying a quantity of valuable public property — tents, sad- dles and bridles, and camp equipage of every description, as well as private stores and clothing. Lieut. Gray was leaving San Die- go with two hundred and fifteen men, to go to the relief of General Kearny, at the moment of the arrival of Mr. Beale. He succeed- ed in bringing the General and his troops safely into San Diego. A few days after the General's arrival at San Diego I offered to him the situation of commander-in-chief of the forces then prepar- ing for a campaign, and offered to go with him as his "aid-de- camp." He declined this proposition, but said he would go as my "aid-de-camp." Soon after this he handed me his instructions from the War Department, which having read, I returned to him with the enclosed note, marked No. 4. A short time after this the General, in a conversation with me, intimated that under his instructions from the War Department he was entitled to be the governor of the territory. I replied, s Philip, Theodoric Lee, Albert Allmand, B. F. Wells, Edward C. Grafton, Robert C. Duvall and Philip H. Haywood, and William Simmons, commodore's clerk; the carbineers of the Congress and Cyane, under the orders of Passed Midshipmen J. M. Duncan and J. Fen- wick Stenson, and Sailraaker Reed, aided by Midshipmen Joseph Parish and Edmund Shepherd — in all a strength of about six hun- dred men. Brigadier General Kearny commanding the division, and Lieutenant S. C. Rowan, from the ship Cyane, major of brigade; Captain W. H. Emory, of the topographical engineers, acting adjutant general; Lieutenant George Minor, of the^Savan- nah, quartermaster, in charge of the transportation, aided by Mr. Daniel Fisher. Mr. Speiden, the purser of the Congress, per- formed the duties of commissary, aided by Mr. John Bidvvell. Mr. Southwick, carpenter of the Congress, acted as chief engineer at the head of the sappers and miners. Dr. John S. Griffin, of the army,. Dr. Andrew A. Henderson, of the Portsmouth, and Dr. Charles Eversfield, of the Congress, attended the troops. .Lieuten- ant A. F. V. Gray and Captain Miguel de Pedrovena,' aids-de- camp to the- commander-in- chief. Our men were badly clothed, and their shoes generally made by themselves out of caavas?. It was very cold, and the roads heavy. Our animals were all poor and weak, some of them giving out daily, which gave much hard work to the naen in draggino- the heavy carts, loaded with Emmunition and provisions, through deep sands and up steep ascents, and the prospect before us was far from being that which we might have desired; but nothing could break down the fine spirits of those under my command, or cool their readiness and ardor to perform their duty; and they went through the whole march of one hundred and forty-five miles with alacrity and cheerfulness. During the day of our march to the cayotes, we learned that, some of the enemy were in our rear following us; and as we ap- proached the cayotes several of them made their appearance ia [31] 32 front of the house upon the hill, and waved their lances in angry defiance; but on the approach of the advance guard, they rode off and left us to encamp on the hill near the house without molestation. Being quite satisfied that we were in the neighborhood of the enemy, during the night a confidential person was sent to ascer- tain, if possible, their position; he returned, and informed me that the enemy were in force between us and the "Rio San Gabriel," and I was satisfied that the enemy intended at last to make a stand against us, and to fight us on the 8th day of January. The day suited me. Before moving that morning, the arms were fired and reloaded, and each officer and man was assigned his position for the fight, and was reminded that it was the 8th day of January and the anniversary of the battle of New Orleans. We marched at 9 o'clock. Immediately on reaching the plain we formed a square, our baggage packs, spare oxen and beef cattle, in the centre. The advance guard under Captain Hensley, com- pany C, first dragoons, under Captain Turner, and company D,, musketeers of the "Cyane," under Acting Lieutenant Higgins, oc- cupied the centre, with two pieces of artillery on each flank under Lieutenant Tilghman. The right flank composed of marines, com- pany C, musketeers of the Portsmouth, Acting Lieutenant Hunterj company C, carbineers. Passed Midshipman Duncan; company A, carbineers of the Cyane, Acting Master Stenson; and company A, carbineers of the Congress, Sailmaker Peco; the whole under com- mand of Captain Zeilin. The left flank composed of cooapany B, musketeers of the Savannah, company A, musketeers of the Con- gress, under Acting Master Guest; the whole under the command of Lieutenant Renshaw. The rear composed of two pieces of ar- tillery, under Acting Master Wm. H. Thompson. The guard of the day, forty-nine strong, under Midshipman Haywood; one com- pany mounted riflemen, under Lieutenant Renshaw; and Captain Santiago E. Arguello's company of Californians, under Lieutenant Luis Arguello; the whole under the command of Captain Gillespie. When within about two miles of the "Rio San Gabriel," the enemy appeared in sight upon the hills on the opposite side; they were six hundred in number, in three divisions, their right about two miles down the river. As we approached, our column closed up and moved steadily on towards the ford, when, within a quar- ter of a mile of the river, a halt was ordered and dispositions made to meet the enemy. A detachment of marines, under Lieutenant H. B. Watson, was sent to strengthen the left flank of the square. A party of the enemy, ong hundred and fifty strong, had now crossed the river and made several ineffectual attempts to drive a band of wild mares upon the advance party. We now moved forward to the ford in broken files; Captain Henley's command was ordered to dismount, and, acting as skirmishers, it deployed to the front and crossed the stream, (which is about fifty yards in width,) driving before them a party of the enemy which had attempted to annoy Us. The enemy had now taken their position upon the* heights, distant six hundred yards from the river, and about fifty feet above 33 [ 31 1 its level; their centre or main body, about two hundred strong, was stationed immediately in front of the ford, upon which they opened a fire from two pieces of artillery, throwing round and grape shot without effect. Their right and left wings were sepa- rated from the main body about three hundred yards. Our column halted upon the edge of the stream; at this time the guns were unlimbered to return the enemy's fire, but were ordered again to be limbered and U'^t a gun to be fired until the opposite bank of the river was gained. The two 9-pounders, dragged by officers as we4I as men and mules, soon reached the opposite bank, when they were immediately placed in battery. The column now fol- lowed in order under a most galling fire from the enemy, and Be- came warmly engaged on the opposite bank, their round shot and grape falling thickly amongst us as we approached the stream, without doing any injury, our men marching steadily forward. The dragoons and Cyane's musketeers occupying the centre, soon crossed and formed upon a bank about four feet above the stream. The left advancing at the same time, soon occupied its position across the river. The rear was longer in getting across the water; the sand being deep, its passage was delayed by the baggage carts; however, in a few moments the passage of the whole force was effected \^ith only one man killed and one wounded, notwithstanding the enemy kept* up an incessant fire from the heights. On taking a position upon the low bank, the right flank, under Captain Zeilin, was ordered to deploy to the right; two gans from the rear were immediately brought to the right; the four-pounder, under Acting Master Thompson, supported by the riflemen under Lieutenant Renshaw. The left flank deployed into line in open or- der. During this time our artillery began to tell upon the enemy, who continued their fire without interruption. The nine-pounders, standing in plain view upon the bank, were discharged with such precision that it soon became too warm for the enemy to remain upon the brow of their heights; eventually a shot told upon their nine- pounder, knocked the gun from its trail, astounding the enemy so much that they left it for four or five minutes. Some twenty of them now advanced, and hastily fastening ropes to it, dragged the gun to the rear. Captain Henley's skirmishers new advanced and took the hill upon the right, the left wing of the enemy retreating before them.* The six-pounder from the rear had now come up; Captain Henley was ordered to support it, and returned from the hill. This movement being observed, the enemy's left made an^t- tempt to charge the two guns, but the right flank of the marines, under Captain Zeilin, being quickly thrown back, showed too steady a front for the courage of the Californians to engage, who wheeled to the left and dashed to the rear across the river. At this time the enemy were observed collecting on our left, and making preparations to charge our left flank. General Kearny -sras now ordered to form a square with the troops on the right flank, upon which the left flank, in case of being worsted, might • rally. The right wing of the enemy now made an unsuccessful at- 3 I 31 ] 34 tempt to charge our left, but finding so warm a reception from the musketeers of the Savannah and Congress, under Lieutenant Ren- shaw and Acting Master Guest, as also the small party of marines, Tander Lieutenant H. B. Watson, they changed their purpose and retired, when a discharge of artillery told upon their ranks. The sj-uard of the day, under Midshipman HaywDod, protected the ani- mals in the rear, awaiting with patience for the enemy to give them an opportunity to open a fire. The dispositions for charging the heights were now made. The troops having been brought into line, the command forward being gi^n, on they went (the artillery in battery) charging the heights which the enemy's centre contested for a few moments, then broke in retreat; their right wing charging upon the rear, under Captain Gillespie, encumbered with packs, baggage, horses, and cattle, but receiving a well directed fire from ttee guard, which hurled some of them from their saddles, they fled at full speed across the river we had just left. The other portion of their fo-rces retreated be- hind their artillery, which had taken position in a ravine, and again opened its fire upon our centre; our artillery was immedi- ately thrown forward — the troops being ordered to lay down to avoid the enemy's cannon balls which passed directly over their heads. ■ The fire from our artillery was incessant, and so accurate that the enemy were from time to time driven from their guns, until they finally retreated. We were now in possession of the heights, where, a short time "before, the insurgents had so vauntingly taken strong position; and the band playing Hail Columbia and Yankee Doodle, an- nounced another glorious victory on the 8th day of January. Our loss in this action was ascertained to be two killed and nine •wounded. The enemy's loss we could not ascertain with any cer- tainty, as they carried away both killed and wounded upon their iiorses. ^ We moved down the heights until they brought us near th liver, where we encamped, having our cattle, horses, and mules lander the bank, safely protected. Tattoo was beat at an early kour, and the camp retired to rest. At about 12 o'clock, the pick- ets having been fired upon, the camp was soon under arms in the most perfect order. Finding the enemy made no further demon- stration, after remaining under arms a short time, we again sought our blankets, and nothing disturbed our repose until the sounding of Hie reveille on the 9th told us to be stirring. At daylight. Captain Zeilin was despatched with a party of thirty 2Qarines to a rancho about three-quarters of a mile from camp, to ascertain if there were any persons concealed about it, or whether there was any barley or povisions to be found there; finding none, he returned with his party about sunrise, without meeting any of the enemy. At 9 o'clock our column commenced its march, taking a direct course over the plain of the Mesa, towards Ciudad de los Angeles. .We had adranctd some six miles when the enemy appeared in front, I 35 [31] * deployed in open orderj their line extending nearly across our road.. Approaching a ravine to the left of their line in front, the enemj opened a fire from their artillery, masked upon the edge of the bank, but with no other effect than killing an ox and mule in the centre of the square. Our artillery soon returned the fire while still continuing the marchj the enemy now^brought up two other pieces of artillery; our column halted; our artillery on the two flanks in front was now placed in battery. The six-pounder under Acting Master Thompson, upon our right flank in rear, now opened its fire upon the enemy's nine-pounder, the shot telling upon it and cutting away the fixtures about the gun at every fire. The enemy in front and upon the right was now distant about six hundred yards; the nine pounders, one of them in charge of Mr. Southwick^ soon made it so warm for their artillery in front that the enemj "bore it off to their rear. A reinforcement now joined them, and soon after down they came upon us, charging upon the left flank, front and rear. A shower of lead from the musketry under Renshaw and Guest and Passed Midshipman Duncan's carbineers, (who had to-day taken post on the left flank) being well delivered, at a distance of eighty yards, did so much havoc that their courage failed and caused them to draw off more to the rear, which had until this moment stood firm without firing a shot. The four-pounder now poured forth a charge of grape upon a party of the enemy about thirty yards dis- tant, hurling four from their saddles, and they again retired., The Californians now retreated, and we pursued our march along the Mesa and crossed the Rio San Fernando about three miles be- iow the town, where we encamped for the night. During the day we lost but one killed and five wounded, not- withstanding the shot from the enemy, both round and grape, and from the carbines of the horsemen, fell thick among our men who undauntingly pursued their march forward. On the lOlh, our tents were struck at an early hour, but the morning being cold and the town being distant but three miles, our march was delayed until about 10 o'clock. We entered the city of the Angels, our band playing as we marched up the principal street to the square, our progress being slio'htly molested by a few drunken fellows \\ho remained about the town. The riflemen, having been sent to the heights com- manding the town, were soon followed by Lieutenant Tilghmanj with two pieces of artillery, supported by the marines under Cap- tain Zeilin, the enemy, in small force, retiring out of sight upon their approach. Captain Gillespie, having received the order, now hoisted ' the same flag upon the governn5ent house of , the country which he hauled down when he retreated from the city in September last. Enclosed I st-nd the report of our killed and wounded. Our loss was three killed and fourteen wounded; that of the enemy between seventy and eighty, besides many horses. My narrative is done. Our friends and the territory have beets rescued. I will only add that we had, of course, to simplify mil- 31] 36 itary tactics for our own use. We had, therefore, but five orders, vi form line — form square — fire — repel charge — charge. The celerity and accuracy with which they could perform tiiese evolutions were remarkable, and bade defiance .even to the rapid movements of Calilornian cavalry. I have thus truly e^ibited to you, sir, sailor?, (who were piiiici- pally armed with boarding pikes, carbines, and pistols, having no more than about two hundred bayonets in the whole division,) vic- torious over an equal number of the best horsemen in the world, •well mounted and well armed with carbines and pistols and lances. I have nothing to bestow on these gallant oncers and men for their heroism, except my poor commendation, which I most sin- cerely give to them, individually and collectively. I must, there- fore, recommend them to } ou for the greatest reward a patriot may claim — the approbation ei their country. Faithfully, your obedient servant. ' R. F. STOCKTON, Commander-in-chief. To the Hon. George Bancroft, Secretary of the jYavy, Washington, D. C. GlUDAD DE LOS AnGELES, January 11, 1847. Sir: I have the honor to fux-nish a statement of the killed and wounded in the actions of the 8th and 9th instants, and also a re- port from the senior surgeon present, John S. Griffin, viz: January 8th. Killed — Artillery, 1 private, (U. S. seaman.) Wounded — Artillery, 1 private, (volunteer from the California battalion;) foot, 7 privates, (U. S. seamen;) marines, 1 private- Total — 1 killed, 9 wounded. January 9th: Wounded— Ut dragoons, 1 private; foot, 1 officer, (Lieutenant Rowan, U. S. navy,) 2 privates, (U. S. seamen;) California bat- talion, 1 officer, (Captain Gillespie.) I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servar.t, W. H. EMORY, Lieutenant Topographical Engineers, „. and Acting JJdjutant General. His Excellency R. F. Stockton., Governor of California, ^-c. 37 [ 31 ] ClUDAD DE LOS AnGELES, CaLII'ORNIA, January 11, 1847. STATEMENT. Killed and wounded in the action of the Sth January^ 1847. Killed — Frederick Strauss, seaman, U. S. ship Portsmouth, ar- tillery corps, cannon shot in neck. Wounded — 1st, Jacob Hait, volunteer, artillery drive#, woUnd in left breast — died on evening of the 9th; 2d, Thomas Smith, ordi- nary seaman, ship Cyane, company D, musketeers, shot by accident through the right thigh — died on night of the Sth; 3d, William Coxe, seaman, U. S. ship Savannah, company B, musketeers, wound in right thigh and right arm — severe; 4th, George Bantam, ordinary seaman, U. S, ship Cyane, pikeman, punctured wound of ha[nd, ac- cidental—slight; 5th, Patrick Cambell, seaman, U. S. ship Cyane, company D, musketeers, wound in thigh by spent ball — slight; 6th, William Scott, private, U. S. marine corps, U. S. ship Portsmouth, wound in chest, spent ball — slight; 7th, James Hendy, seaman, U. S. ship Congress, company A, musketeers, wound over stomach, spent ball — slight; 8th, Joseph Wilson, seaman, U. S. ship Con- gress, company A, musketeers, wound in right thigh, spent ball-^ slight; 9th, Ivory Coffin, seaman, U. S. ship Savannah, company B, musketeers, contusion of right knee, spent ball — slight. Wounded on the 9th. 1st, Mark A. Child, private, company C, 1st regiment of dra- goons, gun shot wound in right heel, penetrating upwards into the ankle joint — severe; 2d, James Cambell, ordinary seamen, U. S. ship Congress, company D, carbineers, wound in right foot, second toe amputated, accidental discharge of his own carbine — severe; 3d, George Crawford, boatswain's mate, U. S. ship Cyane, company D, musketeers, wound in left thigh— severe. Lieutenant Rowan, U. S. navy, and Captain Gillespie, Califor- nia battalion, slightly contused by spent balls. I. am, sir, most respectfully, your obedient sertant, JOHN S. GRIFFIN, Assistant Surgeon, U. S. Army. To Captain Wm. H. EwoRy, . Assistant Adjutant General, U. S. forces. I W4 1^ . » * \<^' ^^^9^- .V^^ ' . . 1 C* vP O V '^^ . '^o^ .^^ 40 .v^. :••. ** A* .*ss^-. "^^^ .•»* .•. *^^* ^^ - t • «0 "rf. 4 o. V .^L'Aj. 'cy '^^"""'^ '«J>. '.,-.• a'^ '?.^' -^^^ . --^^^ijs;^,* ^^'^ "'^^ -: 'bv^ '% . \^^*° .K^^^'^^. ''^^f^** ^<>^ \^ "--^K*' .L^'^'^\. V •^^^^ «, ^*J?Wi^- '^ A** »■ ..VsJ^ . n \* .N' .^^°- -,^^.° ^°-^^. V