KEARNEY AT SAN PASCUAL IS RELIEVED. 



347 



from our troops. The letters exulted over our discomfiture, but it 

 was supposed that, as usual in Mexico, they exaggerated the mis- 

 fortune of the Americans. Kearney's small troop was much en- 

 feebled by the long and fatiguing journey it had made from Santa 

 Fe amid great privations. From Warner's Rancho the commander 

 communicated with Stockton by means of a neutral Englishman, 

 and, on the 5th of December, was joined by Gillespie, who in- 

 formed him, that a mounted Californian force, under Andres Pico, 

 was prepared to dispute his passage towards the coast. On the 

 6th the Americans left the rancho, resolving to come suddenly upon 

 the enemy, and confident that the usual success of our troops would 

 attend the exploit ; — but the fresh forces of this hardy and brave 

 Californian band, composed perhaps, of some of the most expert 

 horsemen in that region, were far more than a match for the toil- 

 worn troopers of Kearney. Eighteen of our men were killed in 

 this action at San Pascual, and thirteen wounded. For several 

 days the camp of the Americans was besieged by the fierce and 

 hardy children of the soil. The provisions of the beleagured band 

 were scant, and it was almost entirely deprived of water. Its posi- 

 tion was, in every respect, most disastrous, and, in all probability, 

 it would have perished from famine or fallen an easy prey to the 

 Mexicans, had not the resolute Carson, accompanied by Lieutenant 

 Beale and an Indian, volunteered to pass the dangerous lines of the 

 enemy to seek assistance at San Diego. These heroic men per- 

 formed their perilous duty, and Lieutenant Grey, with a hundred 

 and eighty soldiers and marines, reached and relieved his anxious 

 countrymen on the 10th of December, bringing them, in two days, 

 to the American camp at San Diego. 



As soon as the band had recruited its strength, Kearney naturally 

 became anxious to engage in active service. He had been sent to 

 California, according to the language of his instructions, to conquer 

 and govern it ; but he found Commodore Stockton already in the 

 position of governor, with an ample naval force at his orders, 

 whilst the broken remnant of the dragoons who accompanied him 

 from Santa Fe, was altogether incompetent to subdue the revolted 

 territory. By himself therefore, he was altogether inadequate for 

 any successful military move. Stockton, quite as anxious as Kear- 

 ney to engage in active hostilities, was desirous to accompany the 

 general as his aid ; but Kearney declined the service, and, in turn, 

 volunteered to become the aid of Stockton. The commodore, less 

 accustomed, perhaps > to military etiquette than to prompt and useful 

 action at a moment of difficulty, resolved at once to end the game of 

 idle compliments, and accepted the offer of General Kearnev; but, 



