UNITED STATES BARRACKS, La Paz, California, April 13, 1848. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of March 1, 1848, and to report the arrival of the army storeship "Isabella" at this place on the 22d of March, 1848, with Captain Naglee's company (1) New York volunteers, and 114 recruits for the detachment of New York volunteers stationed at this place. The rescue of the prisoners of war on the 15th ultimo caused great excitement among the enemy, and tended very much to disorganize their forces, and the important arrival of the re-enforcements to my command determined me to take the field as soon as possible; accordingly, I left this place on the morning of the 26th instant with 217 officers and men; Lieu. tenant Halleck, United States engineers, acting chief of staff, and Passed Midshipman Duncan, United States navy, temporarily attached to the mounted portion of Captain Naglee's command. The afternoon of the 27th a party of 15 men captured, in San Antonio, Pineda, the commander of the Mexican forces, with his secretary, Ser rano. The morning of the 29th, having received information that the enemy had concentrated their forces in Todos Santos, we pressed on with all speed, fearing they might evade us, by retreating towards Magdalena bay. The morning of the 30th, about 10 o'clock, having received accurate informa tion respecting the enemy, Captain Naglee with 45 mounted men was des patched to intercept the road leading from Todos Santos to Magdalena bay, and, if practicable, to attack the enemy in the rear at the same time our main body made its attack in front. The road leading from Todos Santos to La Paz, for some distance be fore reaching the first named place, passes through a dense growth of chap paral, (very favorable for an ambush,) and in this the enemy made their arrangements to receive us. We left the road about five miles from Todos Santos and marched along a ridge of high land on the north side of the river, having full view of the enemy's operations. They then took possession of a commanding hill directly in our route, between 3 and 4 miles from Todos Santos, with their Indians in front. Companies A and B, under the direction of Lieutenant Halleck, were deployed as skirmishers in such a manner as to expose the enemy to a cross-fire. The enemy opened their fire at long distance, but our force advanced steadily, res rving their fire until within good musket range, when it was delivered with great effect, and the enemy retreated very rapidly, after a short but sharp engagement. At this time, Captain Naglee being near Todos Santos, and hearing the firing, attacked the enemy in rear, and after a severe action completed their dispersion. Our men and horses being too much fatigued by their long march to pursue the scattered enemy, we marched on to Todos Santos. The loss of the enemy in this engagement cannot be ascertained with any accuracy; we know of 10 killed and eight wounded. Our loss was nothing: one man and the horse of Acting Lieutenant Scott were slightly wounded, the enemy, as usual, firing too high. Our officers and men fully sustained the character they won on the 16th and 27th of November last. My warmest thanks are due to Lieutenant Halleck, for his assistance as chief of staff, and I present him particularly to the notice of the colonel commanding, for the able manner in which he led on the attack on the 30th ultimo. Captain Naglee also deserves particular notice for the energetic and successful manner in which he fulfilled his instructions. A copy of his report is herewith enclosed. On the 31st ultimo Captain Naglee, with fifty mounted men of his company, was ordered to pursue the enemy in the direction of Magdalena bay. He returned to La Paz on the 12th instant, having pursued the enemy very closely, capturing five prisoners and some arms. Lieutenant Halleck started for San José with a party of mounted men, consisting of 1 officer and 25 non-commissioned officers and privates, on the 5th instant, for the purpose of communicating with Captain Dupont, commanding United States sloop-of-war Cyane. He returned here on the 11th instant, having captured 10 prisoners on his march, and taken a number of arms. From him I learn that the naval force at San José have thirty-odd prisoners, and among others "Mauricio Castro," the self-styled political chief of Lower California. Lieutenant Selden, with a party from the Cyane, made a most opportune march on Santiago, where he captured a number of the enemy who had fled from the field of Todos Santos. Castro, who commanded the enemy's forces in the action of the 30th, was arrested near Maria Flores by the civil authorities and delivered up to Lieutenant Selden. During the stay of our main body at Todos Santos 14 prisoners were captured; among them two sons of the reverend padre Gabriel Gonzales, officers of the Mexican forces. We left Todos Santos on the 5th instant, and arrived at this place on the 7th. The result of this short campaign has been the complete defeat and dispersion of the enemy's forces. We have captured their chief and 6 officers, and 103 non-commissioned officers and privates; and others are daily presenting themselves to the civil authorities in different parts of the country. The captured arms have been given to those rancheros known to be friendly to the interests of the United States, for their protection. I am, sir, with much respect, your obedient servant, HENRY S. BURTON, Lieutenant Colonel New York Volunteers. Lieutenant W. T. SHERMAN, Act. Asst. Adjt. Gen. Tenth Mil. Dept. True copy: W. T. SHERMAN, First Lieut. 3d Artillery, A. A. A. General. TODOS SANTOs, March 30, 1848. I have the honor to report, that, after receiving your verbal order at 10 o'clock a. m. this day, "to select the men" from "those of my company that were mounted whose horses would be able to carry them more expeditiously to the junction of the road, by the arroyo Muelle, at its mouth, who with the road from Todos Santos, in the direction of Magdalena bay, one league and a half from Todos Santos, and there ascertain whether the enemy had passed towards Magdalena bay, and, if so, to follow them; or, if still remaining at Todos Santos, to attack them, or not, at my discretion," I selected 45 men, and at 1 p. m. arrived at the point designated, where I received information that the whole of the Mexican forces, numbering from 200 to 300, were lying in position on the main road leading out to Todos Santos, and about half a league from it. I immediately despatched a courier to you with this information, adding my de termination to attack him in the rear about the time you should approach from the front. The men and horses were then allowed one hour's restthe latter having been fifty-six hours without feed. At 2 p. m. we again mounted, at 3 passed through Todos Santos, and passed as rapidly as our horses could bear us towards the point occupied by the enemy, had been informed of our approach. When half a league without Todos Santos, we discovered a body of cavalry posted, partly concealed among a heavy growth of cactac, at the foot of a steep ridge, and a body of Indians and Mexicans in line along its summit-in all about 120. The detachment was ordered into line within 50 yards of the first, and whilst forming, and before it could be dismounted, received the fire of those at the foot of the ridge, who retired towards those at the summit, where they were joined by a large number who came precipitately from the other side. The detachment, after leaving a guard of 10 men with the horses, was marched by a steep, rocky path half way up the side hill, it being the only approach, and there deployed to the right and left, and charged upon the summit. The enemy continued their fire until we had approached to within 50 yards and commenced firing, when they broke and run. They were pursued until they were completely routed, and until fearing my command were becoming too much scattered among the immense cactac with which the surface of the whole country is covered. They were recalled, and we returned to this place by 5 p. m. A number of the bodies of the enemy were found, but it is impossible to say what was their loss. A number of their horses and a quantity of their baggage was captured. Our thanks are due to First Lieutenant George H. Pendleton, of my company, and to Passed Midshipman James M. Duncan, of the United States navy, for the very satisfactory manner that they performed every duty. Of the men, I could not in justice to them say less than that volunteers never behaved better. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, To Lieut. Col. H. S. BURTON, Commanding. A true copy: W. T. SHERMAN, First Lieut. 3d Artillery, A. A. A. General. LA PAZ, LOWER CALIFORNIA, April 16, 1848. SIR: Enclosed herewith I send you Captain Naglee's report of his operations from the 30th of March, 1848, when he left Todos Santos, until the 14th instant, when his whole command arrived here, with a copy of my instructions to him; attached also is a copy of General Scott's general orders No. 372, of 1847. Before leaving Todos Santos, Captain Naglee held much conversation with Lieutenant Halleck and with me respecting the fourth article of those general orders; and he was distinctly told, particularly by Lieutenant Halleck, that if he took any prisoners, they could not be shot without the sanction of a council of war; and that he (Captain Naglee) could not, under the circumstances, order such council. From San Ilarius, April 8, 1848, Captain Naglee reported to me, and I considered the report, approving of the course he had thus far pursued, and directing him to return to La Paz. On the 11th of April, 1848, I received a communication from Captain Naglee, which is herewith enclosed, with my reply. Captain Naglee did not receive the reply, as the courier could not find him. When within a mile or less of La Paz, the two prisoners-Juan José Brulé, a Mayo Indian, and Antonio Keyes, a Californian and a resident of La Paz-were shot by order of Captain Naglee-in my opinion, in direct violation of General Scott's order No. 372, and of my instructions to him. The case is thus laid before the colonel commanding, for his decision and opinion as to the course to be pursued respecting it. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, HENRY S. BURTON, Lieutenant Colonel New York Volunteers. SIR: We arrived here yesterday at 3 p. m., intending to push on to La Paz, but our animals are so tired that I am compelled to remain here until this afternoon, and will hope to get to La Paz during to-morrow morning. I have no other news to communicate except that the country has been well cleared of its cursed vermin, and that there are not half a dozen Taquies south of Punification. I have five prisoners with me, but shall shoot two of them when near La Paz, in sight of the ruin that they have caused. I have sent with this a note to Lieutenant Penrose for one hundred and fifty rations of hard bread and one hundred and fifty rations of coffee. Mr. Pendleton will not get here before to-night, and will not be able to leave here before to-morrow evening. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, First Lieutenant 3d Artillery, A. A. A. General. W. T. SHERMAN, LA PAZ, LOWER CALIFORNIA, April 11, 1848. SIR: In your unofficial note of to-day, you mention your intention of shooting two of your prisoners when near La Paz, in sight of the ruin they have caused. I am under the impression that your instructions will not admit of this course. You will therefore bring all of your prisoners to La Paz. I am, sir, with much respect, your obedient servant, HENRY S. BURTON, Lieutenant Colonel N. Y. Volunteers, commanding. Captain H. M. NAGLEE, A true copy: W. T. SHERMAN, First Lieutenant 3d Artillery, A. A. A. General. HEADQUARTERS FIRST DETACHMENT N. Y. VOLUNTEERS, Todos Santos, March 31, 1848. SIR: You will leave this place this afternoon at four o'clock, with the mounted men from your company, for the ranche of "Cunano," distant about fifty miles, on the road to Magdalena bay, for the purpose of intercepting any of the enemy's forces which may move in that direction. On arriving at that place, you will be guided in the course then to be pursued by such information as you may obtain--it being the object to follow and cut up the scattered forces of the enemy wherever they may be found. And even before reaching "Cunano," you will be at liberty to change your direction, if, in your opinion, circumstances justify you in doing so. If you should not again join the main body, you will proceed to La Paz, after having accomplished, so far as you may be able, the object indicated above. The movements of the main body will depend entirely upon the information respecting the enemy's position; but it is hoped that you may be able to communicate to headquarters anything you may learn of the enemy's operations. In your treatment of the Taquies you will be governed by general orders No. 372 of 1847, of General Scott's, regarding |