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one hundred in number, when we had arrived within ten or fifteen miles of their camp Genl. Kearney sent Lieut. Hammond ahead with three or four Dragoons to examine their position. This party was accidentally discovered, but not before they saw the encampment which was in an Indian village. They then returned to us and gave us the benefit of the information they had found. General Kearney determined to attack them immediately so we packed up about one oclock in the morning + moved on, when we were within a mile of them we discovered some spies that they had sent out to watch the road and our movements. We were ordered to trot first and then to gallop in the pursuit of them but the spies? succeeded in retreating to their camp in safety. I was then instructed to join Capt Johnston who had fifteen men under his command and who was told to proceed in advance of our troops, our chief object was to get the animals belonging to the Californians. Captain Moore, having a part of two companies of Dragoons and a party of twenty five volunteers that had come from san Diego was ordered to attack the main body of the enemy. This order was carried out. The fight lasted only for about ten or fifteen minutes when the enemy retreated. When we were within 100 yards of their camp my horse fell + threw me and my rifle was broken into two pieces, I barely escaped being trodden to death, being in advance the whole command had to pass over me. I finally saved myself by crawling out of the way. I then ran on for about 100 yards to where the fight had commenced. I saw that a Dragoon had been killed so I took his gun and cartridge box and joined in the melee. Captain Johnston and two or three Dragoons had been killed, the Californians then retreated but were pursued by Captain Moore for about three quarters of a mile. About 40 men of Capt. Moore's were mounted