One month elapsed before the forces of the United States that were
concentrated at San Diego were entirely recruited, and in fine trim
for taking the field again. At the expiration of this time, a command
of six hundred men was detailed for the purpose of capturing Los
Angelos. The commanding officers of this force were General Kearney
and Commodore Stockton. At Los Angelos was assembled the main strength
of the Mexicans then in California; the number of their fighting men
was about seven hundred. Towards this town the Americans took up their
line of march, and, in the course of a few days, they arrived within
fifteen miles of it. The Mexican forces had taken a strong position
on a hill, near by where they had pitched their tents and strongly
fortified their camp. Between the Americans' and the enemy's camp
ran a small river. It was decided to postpone the attack until the
following day. Early the next morning, General Kearney ordered two
pieces of artillery to be brought to bear upon the Mexican position.
The guns were so well and successfully served, that the Mexicans were
forced to break up their camp. As soon as this state of things became
apparent, General Kearney and Commodore Stockton crossed the river and
marched on the town. On entering Los Angelos, they found that it
had been evacuated by the Mexicans, and that only a few stragglers
remained in or near the place. From some of these they learned that
the retreating army had gone to attack Col. Fremont; who, with a force
of four hundred Americans collected in Monterey, was also on the march
for Los Angelos. It turned out afterwards that the Mexicans succeeded
in finding Col. Fremont, but, for unknown reasons, failed to give him
battle, as they had boasted they would; but instead, they gave him the
preference over the other American commanders by surrendering to him.
Col. Fremont continued his journey, and finally reached Los Angelos,
where he and all the officers and men heretofore spoken of as engaged
in this campaign, rested for the winter, and managed to pass the time