General Stephen Watts Kearney's mission was to take control of California following the Bear Flag Revolt. They followed the Rio Grande south from Taos and cut west along the Gila River. The men then faced hostile Spanish forces under Pio Pico in California. Author William H Emory was an engineer on Kearny's 1846 expedition to California. He is a wonderful, detailed observer, and this volume also includes narratives from other members, J W Abert, P St George Cook, and A R Johnston. This book is essential for anyone interested in the real American West.