The Battle of San Pasqual

The Battle of San Pasqual of 1846 was before the Battalion reached San Diego.  It was raining at the time.  General Kearny was on his way to California to secure the territory.  After a grueling 850 mile march across the Sonora desert, Kearny and his mostly mule-mounted men finally reached California in a greatly weakened condition.  Kearny wanted to capture the Californians horses so he was going to attack them in the valley of San Pasqual.  The Californians, however, had fresh horses and long lances. Kearny and his forces were not only tired but the powder for their muskets was wet because of the rain.  The Californians won the battle and Kearny didn't get the horses he wanted.  It is reenacted each year in California.     
      The Elders took part in the battle and had a booth about the Mormon Battalion.  We sisters made salsa and served it with chips to those who came to observe the reenactment.  Richard was so excited to finally get to load and fire the musket!