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Show 472 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF camp. Myself and another advanced to within fifty rods of it, and boldly seized the officer's horse, and they did not fire a shot at us. We saw their camp was hemmed in on all sides. · Our artillery was placed in battery, matches lighted, and men in position-all was ready for action. The enemy, perceiving their desperate condition, sent a flag of truce for a negotiation. Articles of capitulation were eventually drawn up and signed, to the effect that the governor and his forces should immediately lay down their arms, and leave for Acapulco as soon as their embarkation could be accomplished. Accordingly, they laid down their arms, and marched under escort to the Embaradara, distant twenty miles from Pueblo. The governor was not pennitted to return to Monterey, but his lady was sent for to the Embaradara, where she rejoined her husband, and they quit the country together. Colonel Sutter, on the day of embarkation, left his detachment of naked Indians with the army, and proceeded, as we supposed, to his fort on the Sacramento; but he returned the next day, and gave himself up to us. His force of Indians were very well drilled, but would ha~e been far ~etter employed in raising cabbages on his farm than In facing rebel riflemen on the. battle-field. A trial was held upon the colonel, whiCh resulted in his full acquittal, with the restoration of all his property fallen into our hands, such as cannon and other military effects, by the surre~der of the government forces.. The Americans, in jest probabl!, seemed very desirous to have the prisoner shot, whiCh produced great alarm in his mind and recalled to his recollection his recent threat to 'shoot all the Americans in our army. Our countrymen were almost carried on the shoul- JAMES P. BECKWOURTH. 473 ders of the Californians, in gratitude for their participation in the revolution ; for, although the victory had been a bloodless one, they attributed their easily-won success to the dread inspired by the name of their American confederates. Mter seeing the departure of the government troops, the rebel army returned to Pueblo, where they elected Colonel Pico governor ; Colonel, now General Castro, commander of the forces; and filled other less important offices. Fandangoes, which were continued for a week, celebrated our success; and these festivities over, the insurgents returned to their various homes and occupations. Some few weeks after, a small proportion of the inhabitants sought to displace our newly-elected chiet magistrate, and appoint some other in his place. I was sent for during the night to guard the governor's palace with my corps of rifles, and we succeeded in capturing the leading conspirators, who were tried and s~nt to Acapulco in irons. I had a quarrel with the alcalde shortly after this service, and he put me in irons for cursing him. As soon as the governor heard of my misfortune, he had me immediately discharged from confinement. I now resumed my business, and dispatched my partner, Mr. Waters, after a fresh supply of goods; but, before he had time to return, fresh political commotions supervened. There still seemed to exist in the minds of the majority a strong hankering for the domination of Mexico, notwithstanding they had so recently sided with the Revolutionists in shaking off the yoke of the national government. Among other causes of excite- . ment, too, the American adventurers resident there had raised the " Bear Flag," and proclaimed their intention |
