doc241 - Schoenherr Home Page in Sunny Chula Vista

stripped. The bodies were afterward removed to the American cemetery near Old Town,
but now rest in the military burying ground in the government cemetery at La Playa.
"Thus," says Emory in his diary, with deep feeling, "were put to rest together, and forever,
a band of brave and heroic men. The long march of two thousand miles had
brought our little command, both officers and men, to know each other well. Community
of hardships, dangers, and privations, had produced relations of mutual regard which
caused their loss to sink deeply in our memories."
The General's wounds were so serious that it became necessary for Captain
Turner to take command. The day was spent in caring for the wounded and making ambulances.
It took Dr. Griffin all day to dress the wounds. The situation of the camp was
on a little height, surrounded by cactus, in a defensible position, but without water. The
ground was covered with rocks and cacti, so that it was hard to find a place where the
wounded could rest comfortably. The provisions were exhausted, the horses dead, the
mules on their last legs, the men worn out and suffering from the cold and the Californians
on guard near by. Pico reported to Flores that he only awaited the arrival of Cota
to attack, and that the Americans could not escape.
Among the matters to which Captain Turner gave early attention were the questions
of reinforcements and transportation for the wounded. Being informed by Beale
that there were wheeled vehicles in San Diego, he determined to send there for help.
Godey, Burgess, and one other man were selected for this service and started early in
the day, bearing the following letter:
"Headquarters, Camp near San Pasqual, December 6, 1846. Commodore R. F.
Stockton, U. S. Navy, San Diego.
"Sir: I have the honor to report to you that at early dawn this morning Gen.
Kearny, with a detachment of the United States Dragoons and Captain Gillespie's Company
of mounted riflemen, had an engagement with a very considerable Mexican force
near this camp.
Page 217
[Sketch of the actions fought at San Pasqual]
Page 218
"We have about eighteen killed and fourteen or fifteen wounded, several so severely
that it may be impracticable to move them for several days. I have to suggest to
you the propriety of despatching, without delay, a considerable force to meet us on the
road to San Diego, via the Soledad and San Bernardo, or to find us at this place; also
that you will send up carts or some other means of transporting our wounded to San Diego.
We are without provisions, and in our present situation find it impracticable to obtain
cattle from the ranches in the vicinity.
"Gen. Kearny is among the wounded, but it is hoped not dangerously; Captains
Moore and Johnston, First Dragoons, killed; Lieutenant Hammond, First Dragoons,
dangerously wounded.
I am, sir, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, H. S. TURNER. Captain,
U.S.A., Commanding."