Escondido Historical Landmark:
San Pasqual Battlefield

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Welcome to San Pasqual Battlefield & State Park.

San Pasqual Battlefield is located several miles outside Escondido in the San Pasqual Valley (near the Wild Animal Park). Visitors to the museum can see displays of early California history and details about the Battle of San Pasqual which took place December 6, 1846 in the valley below the museum. Kit Carson was a scout for the American troops.

San Pasqual Battlefield
by Josh Pearcy
8th Grade M & M Student


The battle of San Pasqual was on December 6, 1846 between United States forces and the Californios. The United States forces were led by Brigadier General Stephen W. Kearny. The Californios were led by Major Andres Pico. This battle was only one of the encounters in California during the Mexican-American War.

The war was horrible. The Californios' lances proved to be superior over the U.S.'s troops swords and rifles. Eighteen United States soldiers were killed and four died later. Only one Californio was killed. The next day, on their way to San Diego, the U.S. forces were beseiged by the Californios. On December 11th, additional troops arrived from San Diego to rescue them. The Californios departed when they saw the other troops. The army reached San Diego December 12th.

So as you can see, the battle was not a good one. It lasted about 5-6 days and we barely made it out. But it is still remembered throughout the world. San Pasqual Battlefield shows the area that the battle took place and has information about the battle. You can go to the battlefield anytime by road.


Third Grade Student Writing about San Pasqual

Shirley and Nick Buskirk from the San Pasqual Battlefield Association talked to us about the clothes people wore back 150 years ago, during the times that the Battle took place. The menšs pants were made with extra layers lots of times because they wore out the back of their pants. That was because they rode horses so much. It just wore out. It was interesting that ladies back then wore different kinds of underwear. Back in those times they had slits in their underwear so they could go to the bathroom easier! The ladies also had sleeves that were removable so they could wash just that part.

By Neil Kopicki, Matthew Starr, Kristen Enos, and Amanda Coleman

Mr. Buskirk told us about the food soldiers ate back then. They carried a little food pouch on their saddle. Inside of it they had beans, a little piece of bacon, salt, hard tack, which is like a hard biscuit, and some vinegar. They ate the vinegar to get Vitamin C. That kept them healthy. They also had a few coffee beans. It was very plain food because they ate the same thing almost every day.

By Kori Vigil, Cassie Kelso, Matt Jones

We learned about the weapons the soldiers used during the Battle of San Pasqual. The Californios (the Mexicans) used long lances. The American troops used mostly swords and guns. The trouble with the guns was that they had to made the bullets and it took too long to load the gun. And if the gunpowder got wet, then it was useless. The Californios won that battle because their lances were a lot longer than the American soldieršs swords. The Americans also had three canons that they used during the battle.

By Kyle Knapp, Amanda Kriska, Jillian Lusky, and Chelsey Siebenthal

Grape Day Park San Pasqual Battlefield Felicita Park


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