Strenuous efforts were made to obtain horses for the use of the troops, with some degree of success; and Commodore Stockton sailed toward San Pedro again.  During this temporary absence of the Commodore the insurgents appear (on November 18, 1846) to have moved against San Diego a second time, and were again driven back by Captain Gillespie and the volunteers and marines under his command; and on December 3d a messenger came into the town bearing a letter from General Kearney, apprising the Commodore of his approach, and expressing a wish that a communication might be opened with him that he might be informed of the state of affairs in California.

It appeared that after the General had taken Santa Fe (on October 1st) he had moved from that city with the regular cavalry which he had brought there.  Soon afterward (October 7th) he had reduced his force to one hundred men—­sending the remainder back to Santa Fe—­and after an interesting march overland, on December 3, 1846, he had reached Warner’s rancheria, the outpost of civilization in California.  From there a letter had been despatched to San Diego by Mr. Stokes, an Englishman who lived in a neighboring rancheria; and on the 4th the command had moved fifteen miles nearer to the city.

On the receipt of General Kearney’s letter, Commodore Stockton despatched Captain Gillespie to meet him, with a letter of welcome.  The Captain was accompanied by Lieutenant Beale, Midshipman Duncan, ten seamen, Captain Gibson’s company of riflemen (twenty-five men), and a fieldpiece; and on the 5th he reached the General’s camp; when, having learned on his way that the insurgents were encamped at San Pasqual, nine miles from the camp, Lieutenant Hammond was sent out by General Kearney to reconnoitre the enemy’s position.

At a very early hour on the 6th the troops were put in motion, Captain Johnston, with twelve dragoons, forming the advance-guard; the main body of the General’s party, under Captain Moore, following next; after which moved Captain Gillespie, with Captain Gibson and his small company; and Lieutenant Davidson, with the General’s howitzers brought up the rear.  When the column had reached a hill which overlooked the valley of the San Pasqual, the insurgents’ encampment, it was halted, and the General gave the final orders to his command:  “One thrust of the sabre is worth a dozen cuts; and depend upon them more than upon the carbines and rifles.”  Without further delay the column advanced down the hill; and as soon as Captain Johnston had struck the plain with his twelve dragoons, having mistaken the purport of an order from the General, he uttered a yell, and, without waiting for the support of the main body, dashed on the heavy ranks of the enemy, falling a victim of his own indiscretion.