Page:California Historical Society Quarterly vol 22.djvu/62

 though they are nearly naked— and quite barefooted— The disease seems to be confined almost entirely to natives of the country— I believe I have not recorded here as I intended the honesty of my friends the Pimas Indians— the goods & mules that were left with them by General Kearny for Cooks command were untouched— although they had been advised to take them by the Mexicans—

14*^ March— We have had two arrivals from the Puebla in the last two days— the first the little French doctor^^"^- who had been an assistant Surgeon in the California Battalion— he did not bring much news except that the Governor was extremely polite to all the natives— attended balls of all de- scriptions and that he was very popular, he said that there had been drank at a ball at that place— a health to the Independance of California— this how- ever was denyed by the second arrival— these were Mr. Dent [? ], clerk to Paymaster Cloud^^^ and Paymaster Redding [Reading] of the California battalion. The news brought by these gentlemen was very important— first it seems that Fremont has heard that there is a force marching from Sonora —some two thousand strong under the Command of General Castro and Pio Pico— This seems to have some foundation— as Fremont has sent a force to Warners pass of one hundred and seventy five men, and four pieces of Artillery. There seems also to be apprehensions of another rising in the country— the movements of persons who would likely be leaders seems to have attracted attention— The disappearance of large numbers of the best horses in the country— would seem to give farther confirmation to the re- ports—Major Redding says that a large band of horses have been discovered in the mountains— "cashed"— At this time our men are certainly not in a fit situation to take the field— no blankets— clothing or shoes— it is rather a bad showing for a march— Fremont sent an express to the north— so we will certainly have an arrival in a few days— he spoke of the suffering of an Emigrant party in the mountains— 18 of whom attempted to come in— 12 men and 6 women— The men all perished— all of the women were brought in on the backs of Indians— they were forced to eat of the bodies of those who were dead— in one case a woman eat part of her brother.^^® The weather has become warmer— but is still disagreeably cold in the shade— the cattarrhal fever that prevailed so extensively begins to abate— this epidemic seems con- fined to natives of the country or persons who have resided here a long time.

17^^ March— On the 15^^, Lt Halleck of the Engineers arrived from Mon- terey^^^— he came around Cape Horn with the Artillery— he brought orders from the General— it seems that the Government stood up to the General— and Fremont give up. The troops at San Luis Rey are to garrison that point— the Puebla— and this place One Company— B— of the Mormon Battalion got in to day. Major Swords, Cloud & Lt Halleck left for the north this morning — Lt Stoneman^^^ with his detachment of Dragoons also left for the puebla de los Angeles— where the dragoons are to be stationed— Halleck informed