as much dispatch as possible, this force set out, taking with them
a piece of heavy ordnance, which, for want of animals, the men
themselves were obliged to draw, by attaching ropes to it. Kit Carson
did not return with them, for it was considered that he had seen
service enough for the present; besides, his feet were badly swollen
and inflamed from the rough usage they had recently been obliged to
submit to. He graphically described the position of Gen. Kearney,
so that the relief party could have no difficulty in finding him. He
remained to recruit in San Diego; though, had the commodore expressed
the least wish to have Kit Carson return, every man who knows him
can bear witness with me that he would have been the last person to
object, so long as there was life in his body. Unused then to such
hardships and mental excitements on land, as was his more experienced
companion, Lieutenant Beale, from the trials of the service performed,
became partially deranged; and for treatment, was sent on board the
frigate Congress, which ship lay in the harbor, being one of the
vessels attached to the commodore's fleet. Two long years elapsed
before the gallant lieutenant fully recovered from the effects of this
adventure, which, for the bravery and unselfishness evinced in its
planning, and the boldness with which it was carried out, without
mentioning the good results it produced, was not excelled by any one
feat performed during the Mexican War. Better than all, had these
two men known previously the poor rewards which were afterwards to
be bestowed upon them by their government for this heroic deed, I
hesitate not in saying, that it would have had no effect in changing
their purpose. The reinforcements sent out to meet General Kearney,
by traveling both by day and night, soon reached and released him,
without coming in contact with the enemy. They kept a bright look-out
and were early apprised, through their spies, of what was transpiring
among the Americans; hence, as the naval brigade drew near, they