San Deigo Historic Site 533 SAN PASQUAL BATTLEFIELD

The Battle Monument, five miles east of Escondido on Highway 78, commemorates the bloodiest conflict in California history.

On the morning of December 6, 1846, a little army of Californian ranchers, who had volunteered to fight against the American invaders, were encamped at the Indian village of San Pasqual, under the command of General Andres Pico, a brother of Governor Pio Pico. General Stephen W. Kearny's United States Dragoons, which weremarching west to help occupy California after taking New Mexico, advanced down from the hills at the east end of the valley, to surprise the sleeping Californians.However, American scouts had been detected by Mexican sentries.

On reaching the valley floor, the American advance guard charged, through amisunderstanding of orders. As a result, the American cavalry was committed to the fray piecemeal. The Californians were armed with lances, which was an overwhelming advantage, as the Americans found that their carbines, wet fromcontinued rains, would not fire, and their sabres were far too short to beeffective against lancers.

One-fifth of Kearny's command died that day. They were buried under a willow in the evening. Nearly a score more were wounded, including Kearny himself.No Mexicans were killed, except one prisoner, by Indians friendly to the Americans.