I believe every officer so understood it— and moreover he was so regarded up to the day previous to Gen^ K's leaving the puebla.
About the 20^^ of this month Beale & Carson left for the U.S. via the Gila route and Santa Fe— they carryd despatches and a minister extraordinary from Fremont— from this place Russell sent a courrier to Carson, who had orders to remain at Warners pass until he received further instructions from Fremont, Engineering is a great trade— all of our big guns are by the ears— and how the war [?] will terminate we shall see— Major Swords arrived from the Islands (Sandwich) on Feby [19]— he brought some provisions, but no money, for this article we are all suffering much— When we shall get away the lord knows— as neither the paymaster or Quarter master have one cent— On the 22^ the Commodore gave an elegant blow out on board of the Congress. The decorations were the flags of different nations, and the deck of the ship made decidedly the finest ball room I ever saw. We had all the ladies from San Diego, and everything went off in fine style— We have a little dance every evening at Senor [Juan] Bandini's, and upon the whole our time passes off agreeably— Last night I dreamed that there was another revolution, in my sleep I distinctly saw the Mexican flag— This dream has made a Strong impression on my mind— I do not put faith in dreams— but I thought I would note this—
10*^ March— The man Russell died of the fever— the Wounded men, Streeter & Child have continued to improve. Journalizing is rather dull work in these piping times of peace— The other day— the JuHa arrived from the Puebla, bringing the report of the arrival of the Sloop Erie— at Monterey with a Co^ Mason on board^^^— this is supposed to be Co^ Mason of the is^ Drags who comes out here it is said to take the command of Stevensons Regiment— Stevenson to be Governor— several papers called the Califor- nian published in Monterey by a chaplain of the navy called [Walter] Colton— were received^ ^^— These papers contain, what I think will be the commencement of a violent paper war between Kearny and Stockton— the piece referred to is a letter from the Angeles, giving an account of the march on that place and its being taken, by the forces under Commodore Stockton, Kearny is left out of the question entirely— and dirt thrown on his and Mervine's head for the Action of San Pascual & Domingos [Dominguez] Ranch^^^— A report from Gillespie was received, stating that he had been informed in the Puebla by a Californian who was in both actions— that they lost 27— killed and wounded at Pascual and 85 killed & wounded— (55 of whom have since died) at San Gabriel & the Mesa—
The weather has been excessively cold of late. The mountains to the south are covered with snow— and it hailed quite hard— a few days ago.
The influenza prevails at present as an Epidemic— It is attended with considerable fever— it seems to be from accounts very severe about San Luis & the puebla— Up to this time none of the Dragoons have had the disease—
