Fremont en route for California--His men are anxious to punish
the Tlamath Indians--Kit Carson, in command of ten Men, is
sent on ahead to reconnoitre--He discovers the main Village
of these Indians--The Attack and the Victory--Beautiful
Lodges--The Trophies mostly destroyed--Fremont saves Kit
Carson's Life--The Journey resumed--The Sacramento Valley--An
Indian Ambuscade--One Savage defies the Party--Kit Carson
shoots him--The Tlamath Indians still on the War Path--Another
Lesson given to them--A Thief is shot--Arrival at Lawson's
Trading Post--A period of Inactivity--A Detachment sent to
capture Sonoma--Prisoners taken--The Mexicans come to punish
the Americans--Their Courage deserts them--The Retreat--The
Pursuit--Fremont goes to Sutter's Fort and establishes
a Military Post--Monterey is taken by the American
Squadron--Fremont marches there--Further Operations--The
taking of Los Angelos.
The news of war having been declared between the United States and
Mexico, determined Fremont to return to California; and, in doing so,
he decided to enter that country by a new route of his own selection.
He commenced his journey by traveling around Lake Tlamath, and had not
proceeded far in that direction, before he found himself encamped on a
small stream which empties into the lake, nearly opposite to the place
where his three men were killed. The distance of each day's progress
had been carefully reckoned and noted by the party. Upon their minds
there was still resting a sadness, which, their leader saw, was only
to be effaced by a satisfactory revenge, and that they were eager to
obtain it before quitting the country. Perhaps, also, their commanding
officer thought it best, while the opportunity offered, for the
benefit of his countrymen, whom he felt sure would some day possess
this territory, to impress these savages with the power and bravery of
the white men. Whatever was the object to be gained, it matters not
in relating the particulars. The next morning he sent Kit Carson on
ahead, with ten chosen men, giving him orders to the effect that if he
discovered a large village of Indians, which was the general surmise,
without being himself seen, he was to send back word; when he
(Fremont) would hasten on with reinforcements, in order to make the
assault. If it should happen that the Indians were the first to be
apprised of his near approach, then, without delay, Carson was to
engage them as he thought best. Acting under these instructions, Kit
Carson, with his detail of men, set out, and fortunately soon found
a fresh trail that led directly to where the savages had established
their village. This Indian village numbered fifty lodges; and, to
each wigwam, the mountaineers estimated three braves, as this is the
complement of men who live in one of these huts on the prairies and in
the Rocky Mountains; thus making the force of the Indians to be in the
neighborhood of one hundred and fifty. From the commotion noticed in
the village, it was evident to all present that the tribe had become
aware of danger, and that there was no time to be lost in sending back
the desired information. Kit Carson, notwithstanding the strength
of his enemies, determined to hazard an attack; and, after a brief
consultation with his companions, he decided to take advantage of the
confusion that was existing among the red men by charging right in
among them. If ever there is a time when Indians will stand their
ground, it is when defending their families; therefore, on this
occasion, the white men were warmly received; but, they fought with
such a degree of desperation, as they themselves had never done
before. The result was, that the savages became panic stricken, and
soon afterwards fled, leaving everything they possessed behind them.
The victors, after pursuing the Indians for some distance, and adding
a few more to the list of killed, returned to the village, which they
found to be rich in booty. The lodges here taken, Kit Carson describes
as being the most tasty pieces of handiwork that Indian skill could
devise, and surpassed anything of the kind that he had previously
looked upon. They were made of the broad leaves of the swamp flag,
which were beautifully and intricately woven together. Within the
wigwams, the party found a very large amount of fish in different
stages of preservation for future use. Wishing to do these people as
much harm as possible, and thus be even with them for their recent
savage cruelties on their own party, Kit Carson gave the order to
collect everything in the lodges and arrange the articles in such
manner that fire would either destroy, or completely damage them.
Having accomplished this work, the lighted tinder was applied, when
the flames leaped high up in the air, forming a fit funeral pyre for
their slain companions. Fremont saw the reflection of the fire, and
also the smoke, and at once knew that Kit Carson was engaged with the
Indians; consequently, he pushed on at a very rapid pace to assist
him. He arrived too late for what the men called the sport; but
instead, heard the report of his lieutenant and guide, Kit Carson,
whose words, to use his (Fremont's) own language, "are synonymous with
truth." The gloom which had prevailed over the party, while the men
recounted to their friends the details of the fight was temporarily
dispelled; and, while thus engaged, the command moved on about two
miles from the Indian village. Having here selected a site, they
went into camp. After comfortably stowing themselves away in this
resting-place, another "war talk" was called, and what was best to be
done was canvassed over. After the adjournment of the council,
Fremont decided to send back twenty men, under Richard Owens, to the
neighborhood of the ruins of the village, there to conceal themselves
and await the return of the Indians; who, it was thought, might come
back to look after their dead. He did so; and Owens had not been
secreted a great while before about fifty savages returned, and, by
the moon's light, were quite visible. As had been previously agreed
upon, word was sent by a trusty messenger to Fremont, who, with six
companions, Kit Carson being of the number, hastened on horseback
to join his outpost. For fear of being discovered, Fremont chose a
different route from the one taken by Owens, which was quite
direct, while that of the former was circuitous. On approaching the
smouldering remains of the village, Kit Carson discovered only one
Indian wandering about on the ground. As soon almost as he was seen by
the party, they made a dash at him. Kit Carson was in the advance, and
on arriving within about ten feet of the warrior, he drew up his
horse and brought his rifle to his shoulder to fire, but the gun only
snapped, and left its owner in a very precarious situation, as the red
man had already drawn the string of his bow to plant an arrow in the
body of his adversary. A moment more and, in all probability, Kit
Carson would have been breathing his last. Fremont saw the danger his
friend was in, although Kit had tried to avoid the arrow by throwing
himself on one side of his horse. With much forethought, as well as
personal exposure, he plunged the rowels of his spurs deep into his
riding animal. The noble horse, obeying the impetus thus given by his
rider, made a few extra strides, until he reached, knocked down
and passed over the Indian, thereby causing his arrow to fly in a
different direction from the one intended. Before the savage could
regain his feet, a ball from one of the rifles belonging to the party
had sent him to his last resting-place. Fremont now learned from
Owens, that while the messenger was absent, the rest of the Indians
had decamped, and as he had received orders from him to await his
coming in case he found the enemy, therefore, he was obliged to let
the rascals quietly depart without firing into them, which was much to
his own and his men's displeasure.
[Illustration: A moment more and in all probability Kit Carson would
have been breathing his last. Fremont saw the danger his friend was
in, although Kit had tried to avoid the arrow by throwing himself on
one side of his horse.--PAGE 265.]
It was now necessary to return without delay to their own camp, and
thus anticipate the movements of the Indians, as they might conclude
to make an attack in that quarter; but, on arriving there, they
found everything safe; nor were they, during that night, in any way
disturbed. Kit Carson was, and is still, very grateful to Fremont for
thus interposing between him and almost certain death; for it would
have been the work of an instant for the Indian warrior, at ten feet
distance, to have sent an arrow into some vital organ. It was such
noble generosity, bravery, and disinterested exposure in the hour of
peril, in order to serve his men, that strongly cemented Fremont to
them. Indeed, in all of his expeditions, he had such command over his
employees, that little or no trouble ever occurred among them while
on their marches, although they had privations and dangers to undergo
that would often try men of the most even temper.
On the day following the one on which his party had encountered and
chastised the Tlamath Indians, Fremont started for the Valley of the
Sacramento. The expedition was progressing well, and was four days out
from this last camp; when, as two of the men, whose names were Maxwell
and Archambeau, were out hunting at a distance of about three miles on
one side of their friends, they were surprised at seeing one Indian,
on foot, approaching towards them.
The hunters, in order to do away with all suspicion, at once halted
and laid down their arms, to show the warrior that they were friendly
disposed. They thought it was best to have a "talk" with him, and
question him in regard to the country they were then in. As he showed
no symptoms of fear, but kept coming on, they supposed that he had
understood their actions; therefore, they paid but little attention to
him, until they saw him stop. Their curiosity was now excited to know
his intentions; and, as they watched his movements, they saw him take
some young crows from his quiver, and, after untying the string that
held them, he concealed them to his satisfaction in the grass, and
again moved forward; but, while doing so, he was busy arranging his
weapons for immediate use. The white men were not astonished at this,
for they concluded that he was only preparing himself against danger.
The Indian slowly advanced to a spot that was within fifteen yards of
the hunters, when he again stopped, and commenced shooting his arrows
at them. At first they dodged about, and made signs for him to desist,
as they were friends; but, to their admonitions he paid not the least
attention. Several of the missiles had come near causing them bodily
injury. After a time, forbearance ceased to be a virtue. Raising his
rifle, one of the men fired; when, to use mountaineer parlance, the
Indian "went under."
What could have been the foolhardy ideas of this warrior that
compelled him to take such a course as he did, not one of the party,
when they were informed of the adventure, could conjecture; but, a
fact it is, that he lost his life and his scalp by his indiscretion.
In due time the command reached the Sacramento River, and were
proceeding on the trail down that stream, when they came to a
point, not far from a deep cañon, the sides of which were almost
perpendicular and composed of cragged rocks. Fremont decided not to
pass through this deep gorge, but instead, to travel around it; and
he did so by crossing the river. It proved afterwards to be a very
fortunate change; for, their old enemies, the Tlamath Indians, had
concealed themselves there, thinking, as a matter of course, that the
white men would keep the trail. Seeing that the white men were
not coming into the ambuscade laid for them, the Indians became so
disappointed that they boldly ventured forth from their hiding-places.
A few, more daring than the rest, advanced into open ground, when
Carson, Godey, and another member of the party, made a dash at them.
They all ran except one warrior, and as the charging party were
mounted on mules, they made but poor progress in overtaking them.
The one Indian who, apparently, had resolved to make war on his own
account, concealed himself behind a rock, strung his bow, putting
several arrows in his mouth, and thus awaited the advance of his foes.
Kit Carson and Godey soon came within shooting distance, when he began
to let fly his arrows, and kept it up so briskly, that the men dodged
about, without being able to do anything else for some moments. At
last, wearying of this dangerous sport, Kit Carson dismounted, and
crept around until he obtained a good sight at the Indian; when, he
drew up his rifle, fired, and sent a bullet through his heart. From
this dead brave, Kit Carson took a beautifully wrought bow and
quiver, which still contained a large number of arrows, and which he
presented, on rejoining the party, to Lieutenant Gillespie. It is a
pity that such a brave man as this savage was, should have met with
such an inglorious death; but, it was his own seeking, for he had
attacked the wrong persons. Another twenty-four hours now passed by
without any further annoyance from the Indians; who, notwithstanding
the late forcible instruction they had received, still continued to
hover around, and follow after the exploring party. On encamping
the next evening, after Kit Carson had killed the Indian, as above
described, the party found themselves entirely destitute of anything
to eat, although they were very hungry. Game had, all at once, become
very scarce, as the hunters whose turn it was to be out that day, had
returned unsuccessful. Two more men were then sent out, in hopes that
by perseverance they might find something. They had not proceeded far
before they discovered an Indian watching their camp, as if awaiting
a favorable opportunity to make a descent on the animals. Step (one
of these hunters) crept unperceived by the red man until he was within
range of his rifle, when he fired, and killed the would-be thief.
No other game could be found, so the hunters returned, and the whole
party retired to rest supperless, and arose the next morning to fast
again. That day, however, they found and killed some game, and for the
time being, their appetites were once more appeased. Fremont was now
on his way to Peter Lawson's Fort, where he arrived safely, after
several days of hard traveling. At this place the party rested
for about one week; but the desire to have an active share in the
approaching hostilities, caused Fremont to delay no longer than was
absolutely necessary; hence, he started and went to a point lower down
on the Sacramento, known to the mountaineers under the name of the
Buttes. Here, a camp was made, and here Fremont had decided to wait
positive orders concerning the war; and, until these instructions
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
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
country with, especially so far from their homes as they were.
However, nearly every man was a veteran in war, and the whole body
felt themselves invincible, which was a source of great consolation
to their leader. From San Diego, parties of the command were sent
to scour the neighboring country, in order to bring in a sufficient
number of horses to mount the men. This being accomplished, Fremont
set out for Los Angelos, where the Governor and Gen. Castro had a
force of seven hundred men at their disposal. These officials, with
their soldiers, on learning the near approach of the Americans, broke
up and fled, most of them taking the road to Sonora, while the balance
scattered, not apparently caring where they went, as long as they did
not come in contact with the Americans. Fremont marched within about
one league of the town, and encamped to await, as had been previously
agreed upon, the arrival of Commodore Stockton, who soon joined him
at this place with a party of sailors and marines, "As fine a body of
men," says Kit Carson, "as ever I looked upon."
When the two commands had been consolidated, they marched direct for
Los Angelos, which they easily captured, as its would-be defenders had
some days before deserted it. In this town the command was quartered
for some time; but, as it is our intention to follow the career of
Kit Carson, who, shortly after their arrival, had been detailed
for important duty, which placed him in new scenes; hence, we are
necessitated to take leave of affairs as they transpired there, and
hereafter revert to them casually as they connect with our narrative.