dron were cruising along
the coast and capturing everything with a semblance of Mexican
ownership. But Captain Stockton was much disconcerted in October to
learn that two Mexican generals, released on parole after the fall of
Los Angeles, had gathered a force and were besieging the small
garrison there. The "Savannah" at once went to the scene. At San Pedro
it was learned that the garrison had been compelled to capitulate and
was awaiting an American cruiser. Captain Mervine, of the "Savannah,"
landed a detachment of sailors and marines and began the march to the
capital. He could not cope with the superior force and had to retire.
Indeed nearly all the places captured by the active sailors seemed
likely now to fall into the hands of the Mexicans again. The garrison
at Monterey was threatened by an uprising of the people; the garrison
at San Diego was besieged; Los Angeles was in the hands of the enemy,
and the force at the enemy's camp at San Bernardino was getting
stronger each day. But Captain Stockton was equal to all demands upon
him and made up for inadequate forces by celerity of movement. Just
when matters were most critical the naval forces learned of the
repulse of General Stephen Kearny by the Mexicans under Pico. It was
indeed with great difficulty that Kearny and his dragoons were rescued
by the sailors from their invested position near San Bernardino.

Having got what men he could together, Captain Stockton determined to
recapture Los Angeles. On the 29th of December, 1846, he began his
march of 145 miles to the capital. There were no roads, but the route
was through deep ravines, sand-hills, and deserts. The men were poorly
armed and badly clothed, and there were few horses to assist in
drawing the artillery. Never did an American commander have before him
a more disagreeable prospect. The men, many of them without
foot-covering, became worn-out in the march and begged to rest, but
the captain insisted that they must go on, as the Mexicans were
getting stronger every day. The men responded as best they could.

On the 7th of January, the intrepid Stockton found that the enemy was
intrenched between him and the San Gabriel River. The Mexican general
changed his mind and crossed the river with the object of interrupting
the crossing. But Stockton would not be denied, and repulsed the enemy
on every side, though outnumbered three to one. This was on the 8th of
January, the anniversary of the battle of New Or