Brig. Gen. Stephen
W. Kearny's Report on the March from New Mexico to California
The following is a transcription of Brig
Gen Stephen Watts Kearney's report concervning his march from
Santa Fe, NM to San Diego. It is as written including mis-spellings,
punctualtion, etc.
Head Qtr Army of the West
San Diego - Upper California
Dec. 12th 1846
Sir
As I have previously reported to you, I left Santa fe' (N.M)
for this Country on the 25th Sept. with 300 of the 1st Dragoons
under Major Sumner - We crossed to the right bank of the Del
Norte at Albuquerque (65 miles below Santa fe'-) continued down
on that bank, 'til the 6th Octob, when we met Mr. Kit Carson,
with a Party of 16 men, on his way to Washington city with a
mail & papers - an Express from Com Stockton & Lieut
Col Fremont - reporting that the California's were already in
possession of the Americans under their command - that the American
flag was flying from every important position in the Teritory
& that the country was forever free from Mexican control
- the War ended, & peace & harmony re-established among
the People.
In consequence of this information I directed that 200 Dragoons
under Maj Sumner should remain in New Mexico, & that the
other 100 with 2 Mountain Howitzers under Capt Moore should accompnay
me as a guard to Upper California - With this guard we continued
our March to the South, on the right bank of the Del Norte to
the distance of about 230 miles below Santa fe, when leaving
that River on the 15th Octob in about the 33°of lat, we marched
Westward for the Copper Mines which we reached on the 18th -
and on the 20th reached the River Gila - proceeded down the Gila,
crossing and recrossing it as often as obstructions in our front
rendred necessary - On the 11th Nov. reached the Pimo Village,
about 80 miles from the settlements in Sonora - these Indians
we found honest, & living comfortably, having made a good
crop this year, & we remained with them
two days, to rest our Men, recruit our Animals & obtain provisions
On the 22nd Nov. reached the mouth of the Gila, in lat about
32; 42', our whole march on this River having been nearly 500miles,
& with but very little exception between the 32'& 33°of
lat.
We crossed the Colorado about 10 miles below the mouth of the
Gila, & marching near it about 30 miles further, turned off
& crossed the "Desert," a distance of about 60
miles without water or grass - On the 2nd Decemb reached Warners
Rancho (awa calliente) the frontier settlement in California
on the Route leading to Sonora - On the 4th marched to Mr. Stokes
Rancho (San Isabella) & on the 5th was met by a small Party
of Volunteers under Capt Gillespie, sent out from San Diego by
Comadore Stockton, to give us what information they possessed
of the enemy, 6 or 700 of whom are now said to be in the Army,
& in the field thro'out the Teritory, determined upon opposing
the Americans, & resisting their authority in the Country
- En =camped that night near another Rancho (San Maria) of Mr.
Stokes about 40 miles from San Diego The Journals & Maps
kept & prepared by Capt Johnston 1st Dragoons (my Aid deCamp)
& Lieut Emory Topo Eng. which will accompany or follow this
Report, will render any thing further from me on this subject
unnecessary
Very Respectfully
Your ob. Servt
S. W Kearny
Brig. Genl
U.S.A
Brig. Genl R. Jones
Adjt Gen'l
U.S.A
Washington
D.C.
This River (the Gila) more particularly the Northern side,
is bounded nearly the whole distance by a range of lofty Mountains,
& if a tolerable waggin Road to its mouth from the Del Norte
is ever discovered, it must be on the South side & therefor
the boundary line between the U. States & Mexico should certainly
not be North of the 32°of lat. the country is destitute of
timber, producing but few cotton wood & mesquite trees, &
tho' the soil on the bottom lands is generally good, yet we found
but very little grass or vegetation in consequence of the dryness
of the climate & the little rain which falls here - The Pimo
Indians who make good crops of wheat, corn, vegetables &
irrigate the land by water from the Gila, as did the Aztecs (the
former inhabitants of the Country) the remains of whose sequias
or little canals were seen by us, as well as the position of
many of their dwellings, & a large quantity of broken pottery
& earthen ware used by them -
Search
our Site!
Questions and comments concerning
this site should be directed to the Webmaster