and when within one hundred yards of the Mexican camp, Kit Carson’s horse, occupying a leading position in the column of attack, accidentally fell, and threw his rider with such force as to break the wood part, or stock, of his rifle into several pieces, rendering it useless.  His position, for a short time, was precarious.  Being foremost in the charge when the accident happened, the whole troop of horse came galloping over him as he lay upon the ground.  His escape was almost a miracle.  When the last horseman had passed, Kit arose, and was quite happy to find that he had received only slight contusions, which did not in the least impair his movements or strength of body.  Casting a hasty glance over the field, he discovered a dead dragoon, not far distant from the spot where he himself had fallen.  Instantly running up to the poor fellow, he relieved him of his gun and cartridge-box.  Being once more armed, he rushed forward at the top of his speed and plunged into the thickest of the fight, which was then severely contested.  Captain Johnson and several of the more advanced soldiers had been killed by the bullets of the enemy, almost at the same instant that Kit Carson’s horse had fallen.  It is not at all unlikely, therefore, that the accidental falling of his horse had been the means of saving Kit Carson’s life.  After a desperate and deadly conflict, Moore and his men dislodged the enemy, causing them to retreat.  They were followed by the Americans, but, unfortunately for their complete success, the large majority of the latter were mounted on mules.  These, when the firing commenced, became almost unmanageable.  But forty of the entire command of General Kearney were mounted on horses, and these were none the best for cavalry purposes, having been but recently broken to the saddle.  They had been captured since the arrival of the American forces in the country, from a party of Mexicans, who were en route to Sonora, by Lieutenant Davidson and twenty-five dragoons, assisted by Kit Carson.  By the uncontrollable actions of the stubborn mules, Moore’s men became greatly separated and could not act in concert.  This rendered the pursuit, so far as the enemy was concerned, nearly harmless.

The Mexicans, quickly perceiving the condition of their assailants, and comprehending the chances, which the apparent difficulty gave them, at once rallied and turned on their pursuers.  The fight was renewed with most determined courage.  The Mexicans fought with a bravery and success which turned the hitherto, comparatively speaking, bloodless victory of the Americans, into a terrible slaughter.  Every moment saw some brave dragoon yield up his life to the deadly bullets or blows of the exasperated Mexicans.  Out of the forty dragoons who were mounted on horses, thirty-six were either killed or severely wounded.  Among the names to be added to the sad list already killed, was Captain Moore, “as brave a man,” says Kit Carson, “as ever drew breath in any service.”  As fast as the scattered American soldiers could reach the scene of carnage, they joined in the battle; but, the Mexicans, elated by their success, fought like demons, and seemed to sweep everything before them.