ALAMO MUCHO. 113 
many hundreds remaining. The distance to San Diego 
is called thirty-six miles. 
San Pasqual was the scene of an action between 
the United States troops and those of Mexico during 
the late war. Our army was at one time in a perilous 
situation, from which it was relieved by assistance sent 
by Commodore Stockton, then at San Diego. I add 
in a note Colonel Kearney’s brief report of this affair.* 
May 29th. At seven o'clock, we took leave of our 
hospitable friends; and continuing across the plain and 
HEAD Quarters, ARMY OF THE WEST, 
San Diego, California, Dec. 13, 1846. 
* “Sir: In my communication to you of yesterday’s date, I 
brought the report of the movements of my guard up to the evening 
of the 5th instant, in camp near a rancho of Mrs. Snooks, about forty 
miles from San Diego.” 
* & * & a ‘k 
After giving the details of his position, and of his officers, the Gen- 
eral thus proceeds: 
“As the day (December 6) dawned, we approached the enemy at 
San Pasqual, who was already in the saddle, when Captain Johnston 
made a furious charge upon them with his advanced guard, and was in 
a short time after supported by the dragoons, soon after which the 
enemy gave way, having kept up from the beginning a continual fire 
upon us. Upon the retreat of the enemy, Captain Moore led off ra- 
pidly in pursuit, accompanied by the dragoons mounted on horses, and 
was followed, though slowly, by the others on their tired mules. The 
- enemy, well mounted, and among the best horsemen in the world, after 
retreating about half a mile, and seeing an interval between Captain 
Moore with his advance and the dragoons coming to his support, ral- 
lied their whole force, charged with their lances, and, on account of 
their greatly superior numbers, but few of us in front remained un- 
touched. For five minutes they held the ground from us, when our 
men coming up, we again drove them, and they fled from the field not 
to return to it, which we occupied and encamped upon. A most mel- 
VOL. IL—8 
