should arrive, he employed his men in hunting. After several days
spent in this way, he began to weary of inactivity. He thought that,
in all probability, war had commenced; and, finally, he decided to
take the responsibility of sending a part of his force to surprise
Sonoma--a Mexican military post that had but a weak garrison. This the
party accomplished to the entire satisfaction of their commander. They
captured and made prisoners of war at this fort, one general and two
captains, besides taking several cannon and quite a quantity of small
arms. It was about this time that news reached Fremont which convinced
him that hostilities had already commenced, and that both countries
were taking active measures to carry the war on with vigor. He set out
immediately, on the receipt of this information, and joined his detail
of men at Sonoma. During his stay at this fort, General Castro
sent one of his captains, with a large force of Mexicans, from San
Francisco, with orders to drive the Americans out of the country. This
command came, and accidentally fell upon and butchered two men whom
Fremont had sent out as messengers to inform all American settlers
that Sonoma had been taken by him, and that thither they could fly
for safety. The gallant Mexican captain, on seeing and hearing that
Fremont's forces were anxious to meet him, becoming disheartened,
began to retreat, and was pursued by the exploring party. For six days
they thus followed the retreating enemy, whose courage had evidently
deserted them though they had triple the force of their pursuers. So
hot was the chase, that the Mexicans deserted many of their animals,
which, as a matter of course, fell into the hands of the Americans.
Fremont, on finding that he could not overtake the enemy, returned
to Sonoma. The captain, with his Mexican command, as was afterwards
learned, did not remain at San Francisco. No doubt he did not like
to trust himself within reach of Fremont, for he continued his march
until he reached the Pueblo of Los Angelos, where he was rejoined by