of attacking
them. This occurred on the sixth day of the same month. General
Kearney made no change in his route, but advanced to within fifteen
miles of the enemy's encampment. Here he commanded a halt. A
reconnoitering party, consisting of fifteen dragoons, commanded by
Lieutenant Hammond, was sent on in advance to note the position and
force of the enemy. He proceeded upon the duty, but was discovered
by the Mexicans. Nevertheless, he fortunately succeeded in making his
observations previous to being seen. His report to General Kearney,
among other facts, stated that these Mexican soldiers had strongly
established themselves in an Indian village.

General Kearney determined, without delay to attack them. Orders were
given to resume the march; and, by one o'clock the next morning the
American soldiers had fastened all their packs on their mules, and
were themselves mounted and ready for the command to move. The order
came without delay, and the little army was immediately in motion.
Fourteen miles of the space which separated the two parties were
passed without interruption. When within one mile of the Mexican
position, the advance guard of the Americans suddenly came upon a
small advance guard of the Mexicans, who were evidently posted
to watch their approach and guard the road. As soon as they were
discovered, the trumpets of the dragoons sounded, in quick succession,
the orders to trot, and to gallop. The Americans were so prompt in
making their charge that they came upon the Mexicans, when a sharp
skirmish ensued, in which several of the enemy were killed. The
remainder of the outpost were driven in, bearing the news of the
attack to their friends. Captain Johnson, Kit Carson and fifteen
American soldiers formed the attacking party in this affair. They had
been ordered to secure the loose animals belonging to the enemy. In
this they failed, the animals being too strongly guarded, and because,
upon the first alarm, they were driven out of harm's way.

This attack, however, proved to be the commencement of a serious
fight. Seeing that his orders could not be obeyed in regard to the
animals of the enemy, Captain Johnson and his party joined a party
under Captain Moore. The force of the latter consisted of twenty-five
American volunteers from California, who had attached themselves to
General Kearney's command since its arrival in the country. Moore's
command also comprised parts of two companies of United States
d