Page "Kit Carson" Paragraph 38

A Mexican courier was captured en route to Sonora, Mexico carrying letters to General Jose Castro that reported a Mexican revolt that had retaken California from Commodore Stockton.

All the coastal cities were back under Mexican control except San Diego, where the Mexicans had Stockton pinned down and under siege.

Kearny and his forces were in danger, as his men were reduced in number and exhausted from the trek from New Mexico.

They had to come out of the Gila River trail and confront the Mexican forces, or risk perishing in the desert.