History of the State of California: From the Period of the Conquest by Spain to Her Occupation by the United States of AmericaFrost, John
History
History of the State of California: From the Period of the Conquest by Spain to Her Occupation by the United States of America
Frost, John
California -- Gold discoveries; California -- History
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 Passed 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, passes 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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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