A constant succession of gales continued for four days, rendering it almost certain (to human foresight) that she must go down. But by the merciful goodness of God we were preserved, and I am happy to inform you that all the survivors have been taken from the wreck and are now in this harbor, and on the ship "Antarctic" for Liverpool, except eighteen men that volunteered to remain, and help work the old bark Kilby into port.
On the 27th of December the bark Kilby of Boston hove in sight, and her noble commander, Captain Low, said he would lay by us until the sea would permit him to remove us on board his vessel. On the 28th, the sea having in a measure become quiet, he came alongside, sent his boats and removed all the ladies, children, passengers (citizens), a number of officers, and about fifty soldiers, when suddenly a squall of wind separated the two vessels, parting the hawser by which they were attached, and continued to blow all night a violent gale. This squall came on so suddenly that my quarter-master and acting adjutant, 1st Lieutenant Fremont, who came on board the bark for a few hours to urge the sailors on to renewed exertions, and offer them large inducements to work the boats all night, was left on the bark unable to get back.
Brevet Major Wyse, the senior officer, undisabled, was, by my orders, detailed to superintend the transfer of troops, and was thus left in command of those remaining on the wreck. For two days and nights the gale continued, and though we tried constantly to regain the wreck, it was found impossible to do so, with the old bark in her crippled condition, and as we were put on an allowance of bread and water, it was finally resolved to make if possible an American port.
We drifted before the wind for fifteen days, and were at last, after living on parched corn five days, taken off by the packet ship Lucy Thompson, of this port, Captain Pendleton, a noble hearted sailor.
I cannot close this brief report without expressing my high admiration of the noble conduct of every undisabled officer, and most of the men. Brevet Major Wyse, Captain Judd, my only staff officer (quartermaster and acting adjutant), 1st Lieutenant Fremont, who, in addition to his own duties, served at the pumps, 1st Lieutenant Loeser, acting Commissary, 1st Lieutenant W. A. Winder, 2d Lieutenants C. S. Winder, Van Voast, and Chandler.
These officers, some of them though slightly disabled, never faltered in their duty, working day and night at the pumps and elsewhere, and I would specially notice the three 2d lieutenants who, being unencumbered with the cares of family, labored unremittingly, and deserve the highest praise.
My regiment is broken up and disorganized, and it will be many months before it can take the field successfully. We were all anxious to reach California; our "all" was embarked in the expedition, and by the providence of God it has been swept away, and we are now penniless and destitute. We claim that our tour of duty in California has been performed, by every military principle, we have suffered more in the last three weeks than we could, ordinarily, during a five-year tour in California. "We have marched off parade," sought our destination, and been crushed, cruelly crushed, and we now ask that due consideration be shown us.
I further request that the officers of companies "B" and "L" now under orders for California be directed to report to me in this city for duty, with the remnants of those companies.
The officers lost are Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Washington, Brevet Major George Taylor, Brevet Captain H. B. Field, and 1st Lieutenant R. H. Smith.
As soon as possible a detailed report with a return of the survivors will be made to you.