command, weary with its march and illy provisioned, was attacked at San
Pascual by Gen. Andres Pico. Two days of fighting found the Americans in
sad plight, with eighteen killed and thirteen wounded. The enemy had been
severely handled, but still barred the way to the nearby seacoast. Guide
Kit Carson and Naval Lieutenant E.F. Beale managed to slip through to San
Diego, there to summon help. It came to the beleaguered Americans
December 10, a party of 180 well-armed sailors and marines, sent by
Commodore Stockton, falling upon the rear of the Mexican host, which
dispersed. The following day, Kearny entered San Diego, thence proceeding
northward to help in the final overthrow of Mexican authority within Alta
California.




Chapter Three

The Battalion's Muster-Out


Heading Eastward Toward "Home"

Muster-out of the Battalion was at Los Angeles, July 16, 1847, just a
year after enlistment, eight days before Brigham Young reached Great Salt
Lake. The joyous ceremonial was rather marred by the fact that the
muster-out officer was none other than Lieutenant Smith. There was an
attempt to keep the entire Battalion in the service, both Kearny and
Colonel Mason urging reenlistment. At the same time was an impolitic
speech by Colonel Stevenson of the New York Volunteers. He said: "Your
patriotism and obedience to your officers have done much toward