San Pascual, Battle of

The Battle of San Pascual was fought near the present-day city of Escondido on December 6, 1846, during the Mexican-American War. General Stephen Watts Kearny led the U.S. forces against a group of Californios under the command of General Andres Pico. Californios were Mexican residents of California, rebelling against U.S. attempts to control the territory. It is one of the bloodiest and most well known of the California battles, and debates over the outcome have continued into the present. Today, the site is home to the San Pascual Battlefield State Historic Park. President James Polk sent the U.S. Army, 1st U.S. Dragoons, under Kearny, also known as the Army of the West, out of Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, to march to California. Kearny had arrived in California after first occupying Santa Fe and claiming New Mexico for the United States, declaring himself military governor on August 18. Kearny's forces comprised both civilians and soldiers, including dragoons, engineers, and renowned western guides Antoine Robidoux and Jean Charbonneau. Their instructions were [Page 1864]to militarily take control of California from its Hispanic occupants, the Californios, claim it for the United States, and establish a civilian government, as had been done in New Mexico.

Kearny's men left New Mexico for San Diego on September 25. On October 6, western guide Kit Carson met Kearny en route and delivered word that Commodore Robert Stockton and Colonel John Frémont had gained control of California for the United States. Kearny continued toward San Diego but ordered most of his men to return to Santa Fe. Kearny would later learn that a Californio rebellion in southern California had forced the Americans to retreat to San Diego. He sent word of his arrival in California ahead to Stockton.

Stockton sent Kearny a small volunteer escort under Captain Archibald Gillespie and informed Kearny of a nearby force of approximately 150 Californios under General Andres Pico. Kearny decided to reconnoiter Pico's camp in preparation for an attack. Lieutenant Thomas Hammond led the reconnoitering group, which conflicting reports varied at three, six, or 11 dragoons. Californio deserter Rafael Machado led the party to a nearby Indian camp, whose members shared knowledge of Pico's position. The noise made by Hammond's men, however, alerted Pico's men to the Americans’ presence.