The brave old commander, perceiving he could no longer keep his ground,
retreated slowly, with the intention of gaining the rugged and broken
ground at the base of the mountains behind him, where our cavalry could
no longer assail him.
Perceiving his intention, and determining, if possible, to prevent his
retreat, the Arrapahoes having now rejoined us, we formed into one
compact body and made a final and decisive charge, which proved
irresistible. We broke through their ranks and dispersed them. For a
time my command and power ceased; the Indians were following their own
custom of killing without mercy, and scalping the dead. One-half of the
enemy were destroyed; but Martinez succeeded the remainder in reaching
his intended position.
But the Mexican troops considered it useless to contend any more, and
shortly afterwards the old general himself rode towards us with a flag,
to ascertain the conditions under which we would accept his surrender.
Poor man! He was truly an estimable officer. The Indians opened their
ranks to let him pass, while all the Californians, who felt for his
mortification, uncovered themselves as a mark of respect. The old
general demanded a free passage back to Senora, and the big tears were
in his eyes as he made the proposal.
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