.MTAxOA.Njc0NDI

                              33

a month or so till the wounded recovered. Then? a force of 600 men was organised and started for Los Angeles under Commodore Stockton and General Kearney. At this time there were about 700? Mexicans at Los Angeles. On the 8th January 47 we arrived within 15 miles of Los Angeles. The Mexicans had a good position being in command of a hill where we had to pass the river. Fortunately we had two pieces? of artillery which Commodore Stockton himself directed? the Mexicans only stood a few rounds of fire from the cannon before they were forced to retreat. We crossed the river, took possession of the site and encamped for the night. On the 9th we approached to within three miles of the Pueblo? having been obliged to fight during the day, however it was only necessary to employ the artillery. If the Mexicans dared to come anywhere near us Commodore Stockton, with the ? aim of his guard? immediately forced them to leave. On the 10th we took possession of the Pueblo, the place was evacuated by the Sioux camp? who went to attack Fremont who was thirty miles distant but on the march towards us with about 400 men that he had raised in the vicinity of Monterey. They met Fremont but would not fight him preffring to surrender to him rather than to any of the other commanders. It was on the 12th I think that Fremont joined us at Los Angeles where we remained during the winter without any further molestation. As soon s Fremont made his appearance I left General Kearney and joined him. In March I was sent to Washington with despatches for the War Dept. I was accompanied by Lieut. Beale with despatches for the Navy Dept. during the first 20 days of our journey I had to lift him on and off of his horse, I did