Magdalena Affair

The Magdalena Affair occurred when thirty men from a California Volunteer cavalry unit based at Fort Mason rode into Magdalena, Sonora to recover fifteen deserters and stolen property.
Background
In early September, 15 members of Companies A&B of the 1st California Cavalry Battalion left Fort Mason with 30 horses and "numerous" pistols and carbines. The deserters headed to Magdalena, Sonora. When news of the deserter's location reached the California Volunteers, Captain Pico with Jimeno and Lt. William Emery of the 7th and 30 cavalrymen were sent to recover the deserters and the stolen property. in total and mostly armed with out of date flint-lock muskets.
Aftermath
When the Californios were returning north they encountered a party of 5 Apaches and chased them until they got to the rocky hills.<ref name":1" /> Two horses fell down; one of them being Captain Pico's. Unfortunately when he fell his pistol accidentally discharged, missing him but the muzzle burnt him. Later they made it back to Fort Mason. Then the company got news that Moreno's men sold all of the stolen property. One of the participates remark after it was all over that "You may rest assured something will grow out of this affair."<ref name":1" />

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