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Home , Army of the West (1846)

THE HISTORY OF THE . Thank you for your interest in San Pasqual SAN PASQUAL BATTLEFIELD Battlefield State Historic Park, part of the STATE HISTORIC PARK State Parks system. For more The Battle of San Pasqual took place News of the ’ presence was information, please call (760) 737-2201 on December 6, 1846 between the United brought to Brigadier General Kearny, who (weekends only) or (619) 220-5422, or visit States forces led by Brigadier General sent a nighttime reconnaissance patrol our website at www.parks.ca.gov. BATTLE DAY. Stephen W. Kearny and Californios led by to investigate the Californios’ camp. Major Andres Pico. This battle was only one Unfortunately, the presence of the patrol of the military encounters in California in became known because of noises it made. 15808 San Pasqual Valley Road DECEMBER 1, 2019. the U.S.-Mexican War, but it proved to be Alerted to the possibility of attack, the Escondido, CA the bloodiest and the one with the most Californios prepared for battle. 11:00 AM–3:00 PM. 760-737-2201 controversial outcome. At dawn on a cold, rainy December 6th, To conquer California for the United the U.S. Troops rode over the hills between States, the Army of the West had marched Santa Maria (now Ramona) and San Pasqual in June 1846 from , in what to face the Californios in the valley below. is now Kansas, across the southern desert In the resulting battle, the Californios’ Special Thanks & Acknowledgement: where they endured the lack of water, lack lances proved to be an overwhelming San Pasqual Battlefield Volunteer Association of food, and poor condition of their cavalry advantage over the U.S. troops’ sabers mounts. (cavalry sword) and carbines (rifle) with San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians A few days out of Santa Fe, in what is dampened gunpowder. Eighteen soldiers California State Park Staff and Volunteers now , Brigadier General Kearny were killed during the battle; three San Diego Archaeological Center received erroneous word that California others died later of wounds, and one was California Pioneer Heritage Foundation was in American hands and all was secure missing in action. Pico reported that only on the Pacific Coast. one Californio was killed. This figure is Montebello Historical Society Because of this misinformation, he sent controversial. Boy Scout Troop 722, Vista California two-thirds of his men back to Santa Fe and That night, the U.S. forces buried their Dennis Carlos continued westward with a force of 100 men. dead, bound up their wounded, then tried Rancho Guejito Horse Stable The eastward bound scout, , was to continue to San Diego the next morning. pressed into service as a guide for the army They were stopped just past Rancho San troops as they progressed onward. Bernardo at what came to be called Mule The journey across the barren desert Hill (just above Lake Hodges). There they Battle Reenactment Video took its toll on the men and their mounts. were besieged by the Californios until the Available for viewing at the San Pasqual When they finally encamped at Santa Maria morning of December 11th when additional Battlefield Museum on the hour all day. (now Ramona) on the night of December 5, troops arrived from San Diego to rescue 1846, they were hungry, exhausted, and stiff them. The Californios departed when they

from the cold and rain. sighted the U.S. relief column. ual Bat sq tl a e Commemorating the 1846 Battle of San f P i e n l d Nearby, a Californio force, led by The Army of the West, wounded and a S Pasqual, the bloodiest battle fought in

Major Andres Pico, had encamped at the bedraggled, finally reached San Diego on n V o o ti California during the U.S.–Mexican War. l a un ci Native American pueblo of San Pasqual. December 12, 1846. teer Asso trail Hear the booming twelve-pound 10 Mountain Howitzer cannon. The Mountain Howitzer, designed to be light- weight and highly portable, was the optimal artillery piece for mounted/dragoon units. 6 parking 2 7 This cannon can be broken down into three loads for transport by pack animals where 5 parking roads were poorly maintained or nonexistent, parking parking perfect for troops on the frontier. 4 8 9 R Witness the partnership of soldiers R 11 and their mounts. Mounted cavalry soldiers, or dragoons, 1 drilled extensively to maintain combat skills. Soldiers were trained to use a pistol, sabre, and carbine on rings or stationary objects 3 while riding. One popular exercise you will see today is known as “Running of the Heads.”

Smell the hearty fare for hungry troops. The Army of the West traveled thousands of miles from Fort Leavenworth, Kansas LEGEND AMPHITHEATER DEMONSTRATION TIMES into the Western frontier. Food was scarce, 1. San Pasqual Battlefield Museum & Water 11:15 Equestrian Demonstration...... 10. carried in the pack trains, lasting for weeks 11:00 - 11:30 Bird Singers or until the column could be re-supplied. 2. Amphitheater 11:30 - 11:45 General Kearny 1:15 Equestrian Demonstration...... 10. 3. Flag Pole The food supplies had to withstand the 11:50 - 12:05 Cannon Firing elements of heat, wind, and time. Dry beans, 4. Californio Encampment 12:10 - 12:35 Battle Story ENCAMPMENT AREAS 5. Food Vendor coffee, salt pork and hard biscuits, known 12:35 - 12:55 The Army of the West: Californio Exhibit...... 4. 6. U.S. Encampment as Hard Tack, became the common ration. Epilogue and Legacy Roping ...... 4. 7. Corral Soldier’s rations were augmented with wild 12:55 - 1:20 Emory and his Explorers at Rawhide Leather Braiding...... 4. 8. Volunteer Sign In game when the opportunity arose. San Pasqual Knife Handle Carving...... 4. 9. San Diego Archaeological Center 1:20 - 1:45 Los Galgos: The Californio Hat Making...... 4. 10. Equestrian Demonstration Area Lancers Mapping the West...... 6. 11. Mexican-American War Exhibit 1:45 - 2:10 Battle Story Camp Cooking...... 6. Restrooms R 2:10 - 2:35 Black Powder Demonstration Dragoon Camp ...... 6. For more information about the event, 2:35 - 2:55 Closing Ceremony Enlistment Station...... 6. please go to the Museum (1 on the map) Salute to the Fallen