General Castro, who reorganized the forces and assumed the command
himself. The exploring party had now become a military expedition, and
around this nucleus the Americans, then in California, flocked to
pour out their vengeance against their country's foes. Having quite
a little army at his disposal, Fremont left a strong detachment at
Sonoma, and departed with the rest of his command for Sutter's Fort.
On arriving there, he placed the fort under military rule, and left
his prisoners, General Vallejos and the two captains, who had been
captured at Sonoma. Also an American by the name of Lace, who was a
brother-in-law to General Vallejos, and whose predilections appeared
to lean in favor of the Mexican side. With all his mountain men,
including Kit Carson, Fremont then took up his line of march towards
Monterey, for the purpose of attacking and taking possession of the
town; but, this movement had been anticipated by Commodore Sloat and
the American squadron. Soon after Fremont's arrival at Monterey
(where he was very kindly received by the commodore and his officers),
Commodore Sloat left the country, and the command devolved upon
Commodore Stockton.

A consultation having been held among the officers, it was the
prevailing opinion that it would be impossible to overtake and engage
the Mexicans by following them up on land; therefore Fremont asked for
a ship to take his force to San Diego, where he could obtain animals
and march on to Los Angelos. The United States vessel Cyane, under
the command of Capt. Dupont, was furnished him for this undertaking by
Commodore Stockton. In four days time the party arrived at San Diego,
where they landed. They there parted with the ship and the gallant
captain, with many pleasant reminiscences of their short voyage. At
San Diego, Fremont found himself at the head of about one hundred
and fifty men, which was not a very strong force to be in an enemy's