Soon after the Americans took possession of New Mexico, General
Kearney, with only one hundred dragoons for an escort, began a march
through an unknown and hostile country for Upper California. On the 5th
of December, having reached the frontier settlements of that territory,
he was met by Captain Gillespie, with a party of riflemen, who had
been sent out to give him information of an insurrection that had
occurred in California. Captain Gillespie informed General Kearney that
an armed party of Californians was encamped at San Pasqual, and the
general immediately resolved to attack them. At daybreak, on the 6th of
December, he encountered the enemy, and a well-fought action ensued.
The California lancers committed some havoc among the Americans, but a
furious charge from the dragoons compelled them to retreat. The fight,
however, was renewed, when the enemy saw the small force that pursued
them, and they were not completely defeated until about one-third of
the Americans were killed or wounded. The loss of the Californians was
also heavy. The subsequent junction of Commodore Stockton and his brave
band of sailors with the force of General Kearney, decided the conquest
of California.
[Illustration: SIEGE OF MONTEREY.]