BY THE UNITED STATES. 333 



19th of July. Soon after Commodore Sloat resigned the com- 

 mand of the naval forces to Commodore Stockton, and sailed 

 for home to recruit his health, which had been enfeebled by- 

 long and arduous services. This gallant and meritorious 

 officer was highly applauded for his course by the government, 

 having observed the line of conduct prescribed by his instruc- 

 tions, " with such intelligence and fidelity, that no complaint 

 has ever been made of any anauthorized aggression on his 

 part." 



Commodore Stockton commenced his part of the conquest 

 by organizing the " California Battalion of Mounted Rifle- 

 men," appointing their officers, and receiving them into the 

 service of the United States. Captain Fremont was appointed 

 Major, and lieutenant Gillespie, Captain of the * battalion. 

 Major Fremont sailed with his battalion, in the United States 

 •ship " Cyane," for San Diego, in the hope of getting in ad- 

 vance of General Castro, and cutting off his retreats He 

 arrived at San Diego on the 29th of July, but the Californians 

 had driven off all the horses, and consequently he was unable 

 to move until the 8th of August, when he resumed his pursuit. 

 Commodore Stockton meanwhile had sailed to San Pedro, 

 where he landed three hundred and sixty of the sailors belong- 

 ing to his ship, the frigate " Congress." With this sailor- 

 army he commenced his march towards the camp of Meza, a 

 strongly-fortified position held by General Castro, three miles 

 from the City of the Angels, and the capital of the Cali- 

 fornians. On the approach of our gallant tars within sight of 

 the Mexican camp, the General shamefully abandoned it and 

 fled. His men followed his example, and ran away in all 

 directions. Major Fremont joined the Commodore on the 

 13th of August, with eighty mounted riflemen, and the united 

 forces entered the City of the Angels, and took possession of 



