History of the State of California Part 25

The choice of routes by which you will enter California will be left to your better knowledge and ampler means of getting accurate information. We are a.s.sured that a southern route (called the caravan route, by which the wild horses are brought from that country into New Mexico) is practicable, and it is suggested as not improbable that it can be pa.s.sed over in the winter months, or at least late in autumn.

It is hoped that this information may prove to be correct.

[Ill.u.s.tration: GAMBLING SCENE AT SAN FRANCISCO.]

In regard to the routes, the practicability of procuring needful supplies for men and animals, and transporting baggage, is a point to be well considered. Should the President be disappointed in his cherished hope that you will be able to reach the interior of Upper California before winter, you are then desired to make the best arrangement you can for sustaining your forces during the winter, and for an early movement in the spring. Though it is very desirable that the expedition should reach California this season, (and the President does not doubt you will make every possible effort to accomplish this object), yet if, in your judgment, it cannot be undertaken with a reasonable prospect of success, you will defer it, as above suggested, until spring. You are left unembarra.s.sed by any specific directions in this matter.

It is expected that the naval forces of the United States which are now, or will soon be in the Pacific, will be in possession of all the towns on the seacoast, and will co-operate with you in the conquest of California. Arms, ordnance, munitions of war, and provisions to be used in that country, will be sent by sea to our squadron in the Pacific for the use of the land forces.

Should you conquer and take possession of New Mexico and Upper California, or considerable places in either, you will establish temporary civil governments therein--abolishing all arbitrary restrictions that may exist, so far as it may be done with safety. In performing this duty, it would be wise and prudent to continue in their employment all such of the existing officers as are known to be friendly to the United States, and will take the oath of allegiance to them. The duties at the custom-house ought at once to be reduced to such a rate as may be barely sufficient to maintain the necessary officers, without yielding any revenue to the government. You may a.s.sure the people of those provinces, that it is the wish and design of the United States to provide for them a free government with the least possible delay, similar to that which exists in our territories.

They will then be called on to exercise the rights of freemen in electing their own representatives to the territorial legislature. It is foreseen that what relates to the civil government will be a difficult and unpleasant part of your duty, and much must necessarily be left to your own discretion. In your whole conduct you will act in such a manner as best to conciliate the inhabitants and render them friendly to the United States.

It is desirable that the usual trade between the citizens of the United States and the Mexican provinces should be continued, as far as practicable, under the changed condition of things between the two countries. In consequence of extending your expedition into California, it may be proper that you should increase your supply for goods to be distributed as presents to the Indians. The United States superintendent of Indian affairs at St. Louis will aid you in procuring these goods. You will be furnished with a proclamation in the Spanish language, to be issued by you and circulated among the Mexican people on your entering into or approaching their country. You will use your utmost endeavors to have the pledges and promises therein contained carried out to the utmost extent.

I am directed by the President to say that the rank of brevet brigadier-general will be conferred on you as soon as you commence your movement towards California, and sent round to you by sea or over the country, or to the care of the commandant of our squadron in the Pacific. In that way cannon, arms, ammunition, and supplies for the land forces will be sent to you.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. L. MARCY, _Secretary of War_.

Colonel S. W. KEARNY.

_Fort Leavenworth, Missouri._

APPENDIX G.

The particulars of the conquest of Upper California, as well as the suppression of the insurrections, we have already given in substance as they are in the despatches of General Kearny and Commodore Stockton. But we have said nothing of the transactions in the Peninsula, as that afterwards was surrendered to Mexico. All that is interesting in the conquest of Lower California, will be found in the following despatches from the commander of the New York regiment of volunteers, which with a number of marines were the only troops employed in that quarter. We premise, that, after the United States marines had taken San Jose, the natives rose, and they were reduced to the necessity of taking refuge in an old fort, or _cuartel_, in the town.

BARRACKS, LOWER CALIFORNIA, _San Jose, February 20, 1848_.

SIR: I continue my report from the 22d ultimo, from which time my force consisted of twenty-seven marines and fifteen seamen, of whom five were on the sick report, besides some twenty volunteers, Californians, who at least served to swell the numbers. From that date the enemy were continually in sight of us, intercepting all communication with the interior, and driving off all the cattle from the neighborhood. A party of our men who went out to endeavor to obtain cattle, were driven in and narrowly escaped being cut off. We succeeded in obtaining a few cows, however, which were very necessary to us in the reduced state of our provisions, as, in addition to our garrison, we were obliged, in humanity, to sustain some fifty women and children of the poor, who sought our protection in the greatest distress. I found it necessary, as soon as our fresh beef was consumed, to put all hands on half allowance of salt provisions. We had no bread. On the 4th of February, the enemy closed around us more, and commenced firing upon all who showed themselves at our port-holes, or above the parapets. On the morning of the 6th the enemy appeared to be a little scattered, a considerable force being seen riding about some distance from the town, and at the same time a strong party of them posted at the lower end of the street were keeping up an annoying fire upon us. I judged this a favorable opportunity to make a sortie upon them, and taking twenty-five men with me, closed with them and dislodged them, driving them into the hills without the loss of a man on our part, and returned to the cuartel. On the morning of the 7th it was reported to me that the enemy had broken into the houses on the main street, and there was some property exposed which might be secured. I took a party of men and went down and brought up a number of articles belonging to the Californians, who were in the cuartel; some distant firing took place, but no injury was sustained. On the same day, hearing there were some stores of rice and tobacco in a house some three hundred yards down the main street, I determined upon an effort to obtain them, and sallied out with thirty men: these were immediately fired upon from several different quarters, and some fighting ensued, resulting in the death of one of my volunteers--shot through the heart. We charged down the end of the street, and drove the enemy to the cover of a cornfield at the outside of the town, where they were considerably reinforced, and recommenced a hot fire; but we were enabled to save a part of the articles which we were in search of, though we found that the enemy had antic.i.p.ated us in this object, having forced the building from the rear. On the afternoon of the following day, Ritchie's schooner, having provisions for us from La Paz, came in sight and anch.o.r.ed, but a canoe which was enticed toward the sh.o.r.e by a white flag displayed by the enemy, was fired upon, and the schooner immediately got under way.

On the 10th the enemy had entire possession of the town: they had perforated with port-holes all the adjacent houses and walls, occupying the church, and, hoisting their flag on Galindo's house, ninety yards distant, held a high and commanding position, which exposed our back yard and the kitchen to a raking fire, which from this time forth was almost incessant from all quarters upon us, the least exposure of person creating a target for fifty simultaneous shots. The enemy appeared to have some excellent rifles, among other arms; and some of them proved themselves tolerably sharp shooters, sending their b.a.l.l.s continually through our port-holes. On the 11th the fire was warm, but on our part it was rarely that we could get a sight of them. In the afternoon of this day we had to lament the death of Pa.s.sed Midshipman McLanahan, attached to the United States ship Cyane; a ball striking him in the right side of the neck, a little below the thyroid cartilage, lodged in the left shoulder. He died in about two hours. He was a young officer of great promise, energetic, of much forethought for his age, and brave to temerity. All lamented his untimely fate, and all bear willing testimony to his worth.

On the morning of the 12th, at daylight, we discovered that the enemy had thrown up a breastwork upon the sand, about one hundred and fifty yards to the north-east of the cuartel, and entirely commanding our watering place. We fired several round shot at it, with little effect.

We succeeded in getting in being in strong force, and kept a close watch upon us. Their force was over three hundred, speaking within bounds. I immediately commenced digging a well in the rear of Mott's house, which is the lowest ground. I found that we had to go through rock, and judged we should have to dig about twenty feet. I thought it imprudent to blast, as the enemy, suspecting our intention, would throw every obstacle in our way. The men worked cheerfully on this and the succeeding day against all difficulties. Our situation was becoming now an imminently critical one, having with the greatest economy but four days' water. On the 14th we continued digging for water. We found that the enemy had thrown up a second breastwork more to the westward, giving them a cross-fire upon our watering place: there was a continual fire kept up upon the cuartel during the day. At three o'clock, 30 minutes P.M., a sail was reported in sight, which proved to be the United Ship Cyane. She anch.o.r.ed after sundown. It was of course a joyful sight to us to see friends so near; but I was apprehensive that they could render us but little a.s.sistance, the enemy being so vastly superior in numbers. The enemy continued their firing upon us during the night. On the 15th at day-light, we became aware that the Cyane was landing men. They soon commenced their advance, which for a few moments was opposed only by a scattering fire; then the enemy opened upon them in earnest. They had concentrated nearly their entire force near San Vincente. We saw the flash of musketry through all the hills above the village. There was the odds of three to one against our friends. Steadily they came on, giving back the enemy's fire as they advanced. There was still a party of the enemy occupying the town, firing upon us. I took thirty men, and sallied out upon them, drove them from cover, killed one and wounded several of them, and marched out to join the Cyane's men, who, with Captain Dupont at their head, had now drawn quite near to us.

There were small detached parties of the enemy still hovering about them, and firing at them, but the main body of the enemy had been broken, and retired to "Las Animas," distant two miles. The march of the Cyane's men to our relief, through an enemy so vastly their superior in numbers, well mounted and possessing every advantage in knowledge of the ground, was certainly an intrepid exploit, as creditably performed as it was skilfully and boldly planned, and reflects the greatest honor on all concerned. It resulted most fortunately for us in our hara.s.sed situation. They had but four wounded; this cannot be termed any thing but the most remarkably good luck, considering the severe fire that this heroic little band were exposed to. The loss of the enemy we have not positively ascertained: we hear of thirteen killed, with certainty, and general report says thirty-five; wounded not known. Of the total loss of the enemy in their attack upon the cuartel, I cannot speak with certainty; we have found several graves, and know of a number wounded, one of whom we have in the cuartel a prisoner. I suppose their total loss to be not far from fifteen killed, and many wounded; I am sure it could not be less than this. Our own total loss was three killed and four slightly wounded. After the death of Pa.s.sed Midshipman McLanahan, there remained but one officer to my a.s.sistance, Pa.s.sed Midshipman George A.

Stevens, to whom, for his coolness and indefatigable zeal at a time when so much devolved upon him, I am most happy to accord the highest credit; and at the same time I must honorably mention the conduct of a volunteer, Eugene Gillespie, Esq., who, although suffering from illness, never deserted his post, and was with me in the sortie of the 7th. The non-commissioned officers and men went through privation, unceasing watchfulness, and danger, without a murmur. I cannot express too highly my satisfaction in their conduct. Captain Dupont immediately upon his arrival here, becoming aware of our situation as regards provisions, took measures for our supply. The day after the battle of San Vincente he despatched a train, which brought us by hand (the enemy having driven off all the mules and horses) a quant.i.ty of stores and articles of which we stood most in need, among the rest, bread, and has since been unceasing in his exertions for our relief. I cannot too earnestly express the obligations which we are under for the prompt and efficient a.s.sistance which Captain Dupont, his officers, and crew have rendered us.

I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, CHAS. HEYWOOD, _Lieutenant U.S. Navy, com'g., San Jose_.

Lieut. Col. HENRY S. BURTON, _U.S. Army, com'g. troops in Lower California_.

W. T. SHERMAN, _First Lieutenant 3d Artillery, A.A.A. General_.

H.

UNITED STATES BARRACKS, _La Paz, California, April 13, 1848_.

SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of March 1, 1848, and to report the arrival of the army storeship "Isabella" at this place on the 22d of March, 1848, with Captain Naglee's company (D) New York volunteers, and one hundred and fourteen recruits for the detachment of New York volunteers stationed at this place.

The rescue of the prisoners of war on the 15th ultimo caused great excitement among the enemy, and tended very much to disorganize their forces, and the important arrival of the reinforcements to my command determined me to take the field as soon as possible; accordingly, I left this place on the morning of the 26th instant with two hundred and seventeen officers and men; Lieutenant Halleck, United States engineers, acting chief of staff, and Pa.s.sed Midshipman Duncan, United States navy, temporarily attached to the mounted portion of Captain Naglee's command.

The afternoon of the 27th, a party of fifteen men captured, in San Antonio, Pineda, the commander of the Mexican forces, with his secretary, Serrano.

The morning of the 29th, having received information that the enemy had concentrated their forces in Todos Santos, we pressed on with all speed, fearing they might evade us, by retreating towards Magdalena Bay. The morning of the 30th, about ten o'clock, having received accurate information respecting the enemy, Captain Naglee with forty-five mounted men was despatched to intercept the road leading from Todos Santos to Magdalena Bay, and, if practicable, to attack the enemy in the rear at the same time our main body made its attack in front.

The road leading from Todos Santos to La Paz, for some distance before reaching the first named place, pa.s.ses through a dense growth of chaparral, (very favorable for an ambush), and in this the enemy made their arrangements to receive us. We left the road about five miles from Todos Santos and marched along a ridge of high land on the north side of the river, having full view of the enemy's operations.

They then took possession of a commanding hill directly in our route, between three and four miles from Todos Santos, with their Indians in front. Companies A and B, under the direction of Lieutenant Halleck, were deployed as skirmishers in such a manner as to expose the enemy to a cross-fire. The enemy opened their fire at long distance, but our force advanced steadily, reserving their fire until within good musket range, when it was delivered with great effect, and the enemy retreated very rapidly, after a short but sharp engagement. At this time, Captain Naglee being near Todos Santos, and hearing the firing, attacked the enemy in rear, and after a severe action completed their dispersion. Our men and horses being too much fatigued by their long march to pursue the scattered enemy, we marched on to Todos Santos.

The loss of the enemy in this engagement cannot be ascertained with any accuracy; we know of ten killed and eight wounded. Our loss was nothing; one man and the horse of Acting Lieutenant Scott were slightly wounded, the enemy, as usual, firing too high.

Our officers and men fully sustained the character they won on the 16th and 27th of November last.

My warmest thanks are due to Lieutenant Halleck, for his a.s.sistance as chief of staff, and I present him particularly to the notice of the colonel commanding, for the able manner in which he led on the attack on the 30th ultimo.

Captain Naglee also deserves particular notice for the energetic and successful manner in which he fulfilled his instructions.

On the 31st ultimo, Captain Naglee, with fifty mounted men of his company, was ordered to pursue the enemy in the direction of Magdalena Bay. He returned to La Paz on the 12th instant, having pursued the enemy very closely, capturing five prisoners and some arms.

Lieutenant Halleck started for San Jose with a party of mounted men, consisting of one officer and twenty-five non-commissioned officers and privates, on the 5th instant, for the purpose of communicating with Captain Dupont, commanding United States sloop-of-war Cyane. He returned here on the 11th instant, having captured ten prisoners on his march, and taken a number of arms.

From him I learn that the naval force at San Jose have thirty odd prisoners, and among others "Mauricio Castro," the self-styled political chief of Lower California. Lieutenant Selden, with a party from the Cyane, made a most opportune march on Santiago, where he captured a number of the enemy who had fled from the field of Todos Santos. Castro, who commanded the enemy's forces in the action of the 30th, was arrested near Maria Flores by the civil authorities and delivered up to Lieutenant Selden.

During the stay of our main body at Todos Santos fourteen prisoners were captured; among them two sons of the reverend padre Gabriel Gonzales, officers of the Mexican forces.

We left Todos Santos on the 5th instant, and arrived at this place on the 7th. The result of this short campaign has been the complete defeat and dispersion of the enemy's forces.

We have captured their chief and six officers, and one hundred and three non-commissioned officers and privates; and others are daily presenting themselves to the civil authorities in different parts of the country.

The captured arms have been given to those rancheros known to be friendly to the interests of the United States, for their protection.

I am, sir, with much respect, your obedient servant,

HENRY S. BURTON, _Lieutenant Colonel New York Volunteers_.

Lieutenant W. T. SHERMAN, _Act. a.s.s. Adjt. Gen. Tenth Mil. Dep._

W. T. SHERMAN, _First Lieut. 3d Artillery A.A.A. General_.

APPENDIX I.

The following despatch from Governor Mason, gives an account of the state of affairs in Upper California, in October, 1847:

HEADQUARTERS TENTH MILITARY DEPARTMENT, _Monterey, California, October 7, 1847_.

SIR: I returned from San Francisco yesterday, and found here Mr.

Toler, with despatches from Washington, the receipt of which I have the honor to acknowledge. I am also informed by Commodore Shubrick that the sloop-of-war Preble is ready to sail for Panama, with Pa.s.sed Midshipman Wilson as bearer of despatches for the United States. I therefore avail myself of the opportunity to send you my letter of the 18th of September, with its several packages, and now have to communicate the result of my visit to San Francisco.