Darwin French facts for kids

Doctor Erasmus Darwin French (1822–1902) was an American adventurer, doctor, and silver prospector. He was born in New York State and later trained as a doctor. He joined the army and then searched for silver. In 1858, he married Cornelia S. Cowles, and they had two sons, Alfred and Addison.

Early Life and Army Service

Erasmus Darwin French was born on January 20, 1822, in Middlesex, New York. His parents were Harvey and Amanda Hazelton French. His father had fought in the War of 1812. Erasmus went to local schools and then to Albion Seminary in Michigan. While in Hillsdale County, Michigan, he studied medicine and worked as a doctor for several years.

In 1845, he moved to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He joined the US Army as a private when the Mexican–American War began. This was unusual because he was already a practicing doctor.

Adventures and Discoveries

Dr. French wanted to become wealthy and started his journey in December 1845. His plans were paused when he served in the Mexican–American War. After leaving the army in early 1847, he continued his adventures. He bought a large ranch near Los Angeles in the late 1840s. He also helped lost travelers who had accidentally gone through California's Death Valley.

He even started a mining town in south-central California. The people living there named the town Darwin, California after him. This town still exists today. Dr. French had heard that there might be silver in Death Valley. Even though the area was mostly unknown, he led a trip into the valley in 1850 but found no silver. In 1860, he led another group into Death Valley to search for silver again, but still found none. The path he took can still be seen in Death Valley National Park. Two other places are named after him: Darwin Falls and Darwin Wash.

The Battle of San Pasqual

Dr. French was part of General Stephen Kearny's Army of the West. This army traveled across the southwestern United States in 1846. Dr. French wrote a detailed story about the Battle of San Pasqual, where he fought.

A Soldier's Story of the Battle

Dr. French joined the army as a hospital steward at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. On June 20, 1846, his group of five companies started their journey to California. They traveled through Bent’s Fort in Colorado and then headed to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Near Santa Fe, they met Kit Carson. Carson told them that the fighting in California was over and that the Mexicans were peaceful. Because of this news, three of the five companies were sent back to Leavenworth.

The journey across deserts, plains, and mountains was often very difficult and dangerous. They sometimes struggled to find water and often had little food. Finally, they reached the hills overlooking the San Pasqual Valley. They camped near a Mr. Stokes' home.

General Kearny sent Lieutenant Hammond to check on the Mexican camp. Hammond reported only a small number of Mexican soldiers. However, private soldiers said there were 300 to 400 Mexicans. General Kearny did not believe the private soldiers.

The next morning, the American officers ordered a charge on the Mexican camp. They found the Mexicans on horseback, ready to leave. Seeing the American troops spread out, the Mexican commander, Andrés Pico, ordered his men to attack. The American troops were cold and wet from rain. Their mules were tired, and their gunpowder was damp. The Mexican soldiers were on fresh horses and carried spears and lances. They attacked the Americans bravely.

Very quickly, 20 American soldiers were killed and 24 were wounded. It was a very tough fight. Captains Moore and Johnson were both killed. Captain Moore emptied his gun, broke his sword, and then threw his gun at a Mexican soldier before being killed by a lance. The next evening, Sergeant Cox also died.

The Americans realized they had to fight hard. They soon pushed the Mexicans back. Then, the Americans started for San Diego. The Mexicans tried to stop them in a narrow pass near the San Bernardo valley. But instead of going that way, the Americans went down the valley toward San Diego. The Mexicans then tried to take a nearby hill, but Kit Carson helped prevent them.

At this point, Captain Turner was in charge because General Kearny was wounded. The Americans reached the hill and had to stay there for four days. During this time, Kit Carson and another man secretly got past the Mexican lines. They went to San Diego and got help from Commodore Stockton’s troops. For those four days on the hill, the Americans had only mule meat to eat. The Mexicans almost captured their mules. As soon as Stockton’s men arrived, the Mexicans left. Kearny's group then moved on to San Diego. A band met them near the fort and played music. In San Diego, they had to send a ship to the Hawaiian Islands for supplies. After resting, they went to Los Angeles, where the Mexicans soon made peace with General Fremont.

Life After the War

After the fighting ended, Dr. French went to San Jose. He married Miss Cornelia S. Cowles, the daughter of Judge Cowles of San Diego, on January 12, 1858. They had two sons, Alfred C. and Addison.

Dr. French was on the Board of Supervisors when the court house was built. Moving the official records from Old Town to San Diego caused a lot of trouble. The board members were Dr. French, C.W. B. McDonald, and J. W. Riley. Some people from Old Town managed to get two more supervisors appointed. They hoped this would make Mr. Riley vote to keep the records in Old Town. Dr. French was the chairman. When the vote happened, two members voted against moving the records. But Dr. French voted to move them, and so it was done. The discussion became very heated.

Dr. French owned 160 acres of good land in Poway Valley. He also owned seven lots on Coronado Beach near the Hotel del Coronado, plus two more lots near the center of the beach. He planned to move to San Diego soon.

Legacy and Lasting Impact

Dr. French passed away in September 1902 in Ensenada, Baja California. Many places on the western edge of Death Valley National Park are named after him. These include Darwin Creek, Darwin Falls, the Darwin Falls Wilderness, and the nearby town of Darwin, California.