USA > California > Los Angeles County > An historical sketch of Los Angeles county, California. From the Spanish occupancy, by the founding of the mission San Gabriel Archangel, September 8, 1771, to July 4, 1876 > Part 5
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hundred sheep and a barrel of wine (for the sick and wounded). A plentiful supper, and a good nighit's rest.
"12th .- All arose, freshened with the Idea of to-day finishing this long and weary march. Reached San Diego about four P. M. We received the warmest welcome and kindest attention from our naval friends. Everything, so far as it was in the power of the Surgeon of the post, had been prepared for our wounded. The Congress and Portsmouth were at anchor in the bay, and the town was garrl- soned by their crews and marines."
Lieutenant Colonel Philip St. George Cooke, and the Mormon battalion, reached the Mission of San Diego, January 29th ; Stephen C. Foster, his in- terpreter. March 17th, with Company C, Ist Dragoons and four companies of his battalion; Col. Cooke took post at this City. The officers of Com- pany C then were: Capt. A. J. Smith, 1st Lieut. J. B. Davidson, 2nd Lieut. George H. Stoneman; the last mentioned officer a graduate of the previous year at West Point. Col. Jonathan D. Stevenson arrived in the latter part of April, with Company G, Capt. Matthew R. Stevenson and Company E, Capt. Nelson Taylor, of the New York Regiment, (Capt. Stevenson is dead. Capt. Taylor was a Brigadier General in the Civil War, and Member of Congress from New York.) May 16th, by order of Col. Cooke, Dr. Griffin was ap- pointed as surgeon at this City, Dr. Sanderson, surgeon of the Mormon battal- ion, having been ordered to join Gen. Kearny. In June the Mormon bat- talion was discharged, their term of service being out: one company of which re-enlisted for the war under Capt. Jesse D. Hunter (now resident here), who had commanded Company B of that battalion; Captain Hunter is a native of Kentucky. In August he was appointed Agent for the Indians, who especially in San Diego county had done much damage upon the ranchos.
A pleasant reminiscence there is of Don Juan Abila. Dr. Griffin made his ride within two days and a half from San Diego, in consequence of Col. Cooke's order. At the Alisos rancho his horse was too jaded to proceed. Don Juan immediately gave him-not a bronco, but one of his best saddle horses-with characteristic Californian hospitality. Thus carly had confi- dence and cordial feelings sprung up among this open-hearted race. It is proper to observe, that before the army had felt the amenities of resident foreigners identified by marriage with the natives-among them, Don Ed- ward Stokes, of Santa Ysabel, and Don Juan Forster, both these gentlemen of English birth.
July 4th, 1847, the Fort on the hill was finished. The staff was raised and the flag thrown to the breeze amid salutes of cannon : and this work was christened Fort Moore. A grand ball at night, given by the American offi- cers, ended that National Anniversary.
It is the name of Capt. Ben. Moore, who had fallen at San Pascual, Dc- cember 6th, 1846. One, on the then western frontier well-remembered, so kind and genial ever; stern, prompt, faithful when duty called. On that dark day near by fell Lieut. Thomas H. Hammond. Companions they in arms, married to sisters, devoted friends, their life-blood mingled for their country's sake. They are buried together at the Old Town, San Diego.
July 9th, Lieut. Col. Henry S. Burton having obtained necessary stores and two six pounders at Los Angeles, left San Pedro with his command of 110 men on the U. S. store-ship Lexington, to occupy the port of La Paz, Lower California. He had of the 1st N. Y. Regiment Company A, Capt. Seymour G. Steele and Company B, Capt. H. C. Matsell. After several con- flicts the occupation was firmly established and maintained, until the troops were withdrawn and that country delivered over to Mexico under the terms of the Treaty. An episode of war, that has a glow of romance in more than one of its pleasing traditions. Lieut. Col. Burton afterward served on the Pacific Coast several years and in the Civil war. He died with the rank of Major General. His widow, Dona Ampara de Burton, and son Harry, and daughter Nellie reside in San Diego County. Capt. Steele is at Scott's Val- ley, Cal. Capt. Matsell afterward was a merchant at the city of San Diego; is living, it is believed, in New York. Of the privates in this daring service four are at Los Angeles: Messrs. Peter Thompson, James O'Sullivan, Au- gust Ehlers and Moses W. Perry.
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY.
Of the native Californians some probably dreamed of help to come from Mexico through their beloved Governor, Don Pio Pico. In August, 1846, he had set out for the capital, leaving them his assurance of re-inforce- ments. But by this time the better portion of the people had become con- vinced that further opposition must be unavailing. Their cherished institu- tion-the Ayuntamiento (Town Council ), which had closed its sessions July 4th, 1846, at the first sound of war-was restored in every detail according to their old laws. The familiar words "Dios y Libertad " (God and Liberty), authenticated their official communication among themselves as if the Mex- ican banner were flying. The election took place February 10th, 1847, the first meeting February 20th. Its members were: First Alcalde and Presi- dent, Don Jose Salazar; Second Alcalde, Don Enrique Abila; Regidores (Council-men), Don Miguel N. Pryor, Don Rafael Gallardo, Don Julian Chavez, Don Jose Antonio Yorba ; Sindico (Treasurer,) Don Jose Vicente Guerrero; Secretary, Don Ygnacio Coronel.
Its record is creditable to their probity, intelligence, economy and zeal for the public good. Owing to misunderstandings between this body and the military commandant, Col. Stevenson, at the end of December it was dis- solved by Gov. Richard B. Mason, and January 1st, 1848, Stephen C. Foster as Alcalde by military appointment, took the place of the Ayuntamiento, with like jurisdiction over a wide stretch of country beyond the limits of the city. This office he held until May 21st of the ensuing year, displaying superior skill in its various and often difficult business. The Irrigation sys- tem every season had been a source of perplexity to the officers, and incon- venience and losses to the people, who never could find more than some tem- porary expedient to keep up the toma (dam) so necessary for the cultivation of the one hundred and three vineyards and gardens then existing. In Feb- ruary after his appointment, by a measure firmly executed at insignificant cost to each proprietor, he put it in a condition that was not disturbed until the great freshet of 1861-'62.
A thousand things combined to smooth the asperities of war. Fremont had been courteous and gay; Mason was just and firm. The natural good temper of the population favored a speedy and perfect conciliation. The American officers at once found themselves happy in every circle. In sup- pers, balls, visiting in town and country, the hours glided away with pleas- ing reflections. For hospitality the families were unrivalled through the world; and really were glad that it had not been worse at San Gabriel. "Men capable of such actions ought not to have been shot," they said in softest Castilian-admiring the American daslı and daring displayed on that occa- sion. General Andres Pico and his compadre Lieutenant Stoneman, made the race against Sutler Sam Haight and a native turf-man-when Old Oso of the Picos and Workman, staked by the General and Lieutenant, beat Dr. Ni- colas Den's "Champion of Santa Barbara," name forgotten, a thousand yards. On the other side a fascination seized them for the Queen of Angels. Army officers are believed to be no indifferent judges of wine. Dr. Griffin says the day after their entry-" It is of excellent flavor; as good as I ever tasted. The white wine is particularly fine. I ate of a fine orange. Taking every- thing into consideration this is decidedly one of the most desirable places I have ever been at." Camped on the sandy Santa Ana January 19th, on the return march to San Diego, thoughit turned back to this " very pleasant place -we found it so-we lived well and had the best of wine." At San Diego in December before, their reception had been if possible warmer from that ever enthusiastic and generous people. Don Juan Bandini and wife, Dona Refugio, had thrown open their mansion to the Commodore. All San Diego vied one with another to pay him honor and gild the flying moments witli joy. Don Miguel Pedrorena and his relative, Don Santiago E. Arguello took up arms for the United States; both went with Commodore Stockton to Los Angeles. The inhabitants saw the army depart on the 29th in min- gled sympathy and fear for the result. They welcomed all that returned to the wonted round of festivities. The Navy reciprocated the courtesy of the people. "On the 22nd, Washington's Birthi-day," says Dr. Griffin, "the Commodore gave an elegant blow out on board of the Congress. The deco- rations were the flags of all nations ; the ship's deck decidedly the gayest ball
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LOS ANGELES COUNTY
room I ever saw. We had all the ladies from San Diego. Everything went off' in the happiest manner."
An investigation of the causes of misunderstanding between Col Stevenson and the Ayuntamiento before referred to, is of little importance at the present day. Probably it would not be unfavorable to the Ayuntamiento. Accounts from the best citizens concur, that the same confidence was felt in Col. Stev- enson that had been displayed toward the other officers; as one expresses it, "all was harmony and pleasure." There were not wanting persons however who were not content to keep for themselves a bed of roses. Occasionally sentinels were disturbed or fancied so by false alarms, in one of which in December, 1847, a little after midnight preparing to load a cannon at the guard-house, situated on the hillside where is the mansion of Senator Bush, a careless soldier exploded a box of cartridges. Everything was thrown into the air-walls, soldiers; some of the timbers fell over into Main Street. Not one adobe was left standing upon another. Four were killed outright and twelve wounded, dragoons and men of Stevenson's regiment. It was immediately rebuilt of adobes. The accident is the more monstrous-this alarm having been produced by a sentinel who hailed a horse or cow graz- ing upon the hill, and for want of answer fired. Carefully inquiring among residents of that period and consulting the archives which are fully extant, not the slightest trace of any movement is visible among the Californians against the existing authorities, nor any real ground for suspicion or alarm at any time after January, 1847.
We may imagine something of the isolation and suspense of the Amer- ican forces in California, through 1847, and later, from the accounts we have of the kind of intelligence received by them concerning events transpiring nearer the Capital of Mexico. May 6th, 1847-Dr. G. says: "Flying rumors are said to have reached Monterey that the Castle of San Juan de Ulloa has been taken, and that Taylor has had another fight, in which he was victo- rious." Lieut. Col. Burton, July 9th, brought news of General Scott's two victories of Vera Cruz and Puente Nacional-a salute was fired in conse- quence; and August 19th, " the Californians received, via. Sonora, the Mexi- can papers describing the movements of Scott and Taylor; the taking of Vera Cruz, and the battle of Puente Nacional." So, at the City of Los Angeles. Buenavista, on February 23d, had been the last battle of General Taylor. March 27th, Vera Cruz had surrendered. April 18th, Gen. Scott had stormed, successfully, Cerro Gordo; the next day he entered Jalapa, and the populous City of Puebla on the 15th of May. August 20th, Contre- ras and Churubusco were carried. September 8th, Molino del Rey; 13th, Chapultepec; and, on the 15th, he teok possession of the capital. At Guada- lupe Hidalgo the Treaty was signed February 8th, and President Polk pro- claimed peace on the 4th of July, 1848. Under the treaty the United States paid to Mexico $15,000,000.
The "Veterans of the Mexican War" were organized into a Society, at the City of Los Angeles, September 27th, 1873. The name and nativity of resi- dents are as follows:
OFFICERS .- President, Gen. George H. Stoneman, New York; Vice Presi- dents, Peter Thompson, New York, and W. Todd, Illinois; Secretary, J. D. Dun- lap, New Hampshire; Treasurer, G. W. Whitehorn, New York; Marshal, Capt. Wm. Turner, Isle of Wight.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE .- Fenton M. Slaughter, Virginia; Dr. William B. Dunne, Ireland; Geo. W. Cole, Illinois; G. W. Whitehorn, New York; Robert T. Johnson, Tennessee.
MEMBERS .- Province of Maine-Nelson Williamson, Joseph R. W. Hand. Maine-Stephen C. Foster, Albion C. Libby. New Hampshire-David M. Main. Vermont-Myron Norton. Rhode Island-Lewis A. Wilmot. New York-Edward E. Hewit, George Carson, James B. Caywood, Gabriel Allen, George Davis, Jas. H. Stewart, Abraham Maricole, Albert Clark. Pennsylvania-Henry C. Wiley, James F. Wilson. Maryland-Jonathan Knott, Ephraim Forbush, Joshua Tal- bott, John J. Mills, Thomas B. Wade, John F. Staples. District Columbia-Geo. Smith, George Diggs. Virginia-Dr. John S. Griffin, Thomas Enroughity, James W. Spratt, Archer C. Jessie, Pleasant Byas, William W. Brown. North Carolina -Robert C. Dobson, William C. Hughes, Lewis G. Green. Tennessee-Thomas J. Aslı, Robert T. Johnson, Joseph Bridger, Jobn T. Davis, W'in. T. Henderson, F. H. Alexander, Benjamin D. Wilson, James M. Smith, Anderson Wright. Kentucky-Charles M. Benbrook, James H. Easton, Pinckney C. Molloy, Shapley P. Ross, James Thompson, James W. B. Davis. Ohio-Wilson Beach, Charles Chaney, Isaih Smith, Gracia C. Norris, Marcus Serrott, Augustus C. Chauvan.
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY.
Illinois-Andrew J. Cole, Charles O'Niel. Georgia-Clement C. Goodwin, John P. H. Chew. Pauldo G. Rushmore. South Carolina-Allen W. Neighbors. Mis- sissippi-Edward J. C. Kewen, Edward H. Cage. Indiana-James W. Taggart, F. M. Matthew. Ireland-Matthew St. Clair Gardner, David W. Alexander, Paul Ryan, Nicolas Keating, Michael Halpin, Canada-Elijah T. Moulton. England- John Roach, John V. Moore, William O. Baxter, Robert W. Allen. Germany- August Ehlers, John Shumacher, Augustus Tipple, Valentin Mand. Austria- Gotfried Voight. Russia-Alexander Saurwied. Prussia-Augustus W. Timms. Philipine Islands-William P. Reynolds.
Deceased members were Johan Carl Eserich, Andra Welnshank, John Reed, and Thomas Standifer-the last dying June, 1875.
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was ratified May 30th, 1848. The news did not reach Los Angeles until August fifteenth. In the same month were celebrated the nuptials of Stephen C. Foster and Dona Merced Lugo, daughter of Don Antonio Maria Lugo. Don Antonio Maria died in 1860. He was born in 1775, at the Mssion of San Antonio de Padua. . A link between two centuries-his name a household word throughout California. In the same month, or July, ex-Governor Don Pio Pico returned to Los Angeles from Guaimas, having effected nothing during his absence of two years. The Mexican Government neglected all his representations, and finally refused to permit him or his Secretary, Don Jose Matias Moreno, to visit the capital. It was a patriotic dream which he had indulged for his native land. The cold policy of Mexico seems to have parted with this remote region, without a single regret. Don Pio has lived to a green old age, none the less honored for having been the last Mexican Governor of California. In September, Col. Stevenson left for San Francisco. January, 1849, a squadron of Second Dragoons, Major Montgomery Pike Graham commanding, fresh from Mexico, was posted at this city. His officers were: Captain Kane Quartermaster; Captain, D. H. Rucker; Lieutenants, Cave J. Couts, Givens, Sturgiss, Campbell, Evans, and Wilson. Captain Rufus Ingalls was here in this year as Quartermaster. The arrival of Major Graham relieved Company C, First Dragoons, which then marched for Sonoma, under its officers as before mentioned, and the Surgeon Dr. Griffin.
Commodore Robert Field Stockton was born at Princeton, New Jersey, in 1796; was distinguished by his naval services in the Mediterranean and other seas. California owes to him its first press and first public school house, under American rule. In 1851, he represented his native State in the U. S. Senate, and succeeded in having the passage of a law abolishing flogging in the navy. He died October 7th, 1866.
General Stephen Watts Kearny was born at Newark, New Jersey, Aug. 30th, 1794. In June, 1846, he was made Brigadier General in command of " the Army of the West," and took possession of New Mexico, established a provisional government, and marched for California. He died at Saint Louis, Missouri, October 31st, 1848.
Of the original command of General Kearny, Lieutenant Warner was killed at Goose Lake, in the northern part of this State, in 1849, by Indians. Captain William Emory is Major General, U. S. A. Lieutenant Stoneman is on the retired list, with the rank of Brevet Major General; resides on his farm near Los Angeles City. Lieutenant J. B. Davidson is Brevet Brigadier General. Major Thomas Swords, Quartermaster, is retired. Captain A. J. Smith was a General in and resigned after the Civil War. Captain Turner resigned after the Mexican War. Dr. Griffin resigned in 1851. Captain Turner became partner in the bank- ing house of Lucas, Turner & Co., San Francisco-the same house with which General Sherman was connected, James R. Barton, Captain Alexander Bell, Daniel Sexton, and John Reed were of the volunteers with Kearny. Sexton resides at the City of San Bernardino. John Reed was First Sergeant of Captain Hensly's company, under Fremont, at the occupation of Los Angeles, August, 1846; he was born in North Carolina; died July 13th, 1875, aged 57 years, at his farm, Puente, in this county. He married the only daughter of John Roland; she survives him. John Carl Eschrich, so familiarly known to the Californians as "Don Carlos," of Stevenson's regiment, died at the age of 52 years, June 10th, 1874; he was a native of Germany. Don Miguel de Pedrorena died March 30th, 1850, in San Diego County. Don Santiago E. Arguello in 1859, at his Rancho La Punta, in same county. A soldier who served out of California, Andra Wein- shank, born in Bavaria, died at this city February 16th, 1874, aged 54 years. IIe was at Vera Cruz, and all the battles on Scott's line. Elijah T. Moulton, of the Fremont battalion, resides at. Los Angeles. Of the privates of Company C, First Dragoons, are resident at this elly: George Washington Whitehorn, born at Pen- nington, Monroe County, New York, 1821; Win. Burden Dunne, Cork, 1818; and. in this county, Michael Halpin, born at Limerick, 1823. Company K, Lieutenant
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LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Johnson commanding, and Company C, Captain Ben. Moore, formed the escort of General Kearny after leaving Rio Grande-the rest having been sent back at Socorro, on meeting Kit Carson, with despatches from Commodore Stockton, announcing the conquest of California. The day before the battle on San Pas- cual Johnston was promoted to a Captaincy. On December 7th, before the march from the battle ground, the men of Company K were incorporated into Com- pany C. On Christmas eve, 1846, Don Pedro C. Carrillo salled from San Diego with Captain Hamly (of the whaling ship Stonington), on the brig Maleck-Adel, as bearers of despatches to Fremont. who was expected to be found at Santa Bar- bara. He was Receptor (Collector) of San Diego, under the Mexican authority, when Captain Dupont, in the sloop of war Cyane, took that port. He was then appointed Judge of First Instance of San Diego Distriet. In 1847, he was made U. S. Collector of Santa Barbara; in 1848, Judge of First Instance of that District. In 1854, he represented Santa Barbara County in the Assembly of this State; the same year he was appointed, by President Pieree, Surveyor of Customs for Santa Barbara, which office he held until 1861. He resides at Los Angeles City.
This civic-military rule lasted from January 1st, 1848, to May 21st, 1849. On the 17th of that month, under an order of Maj. Graham, Los Angeles ceased to be a military station of the United States. The new Ayuntamiento was inaugurated on the 21st. Its members were: First Alcalde and Presi- dent, Don Jose del Carmen Lugo; Second Alcalde, Don Juan Sepulveda, Regidores, Don Jose Lopez, Don Francisco Ruis, Don Francisco O'Campo, Don Tomas A. Sanchez; Sindico, Don Juan Temple; Secretary, Don Jesus Guirado. "Ord's Survey " of the city and other well conceived measures attest their usefulness. Their successors holding from January 2nd to June 29th, 1850, were: First Alcalde and President, Abel Stearns; Second Alcalde, Ignacio del Valle; Regidores, David W. Alexander, Benjamin D. Wilson, Jose L. Sepulveda, Manuel Garfias; Sindico, Francisco Figueroa; Secretary, Jesus Guirado. Upon going out of office as Alcalde in 1849, Stephen C. Foster was appointed Prefect' by Governor Bennett Riley. This was a stormy period for officers of the city; the records show that their duty was well performed. To the care of Prefect Foster and Alcalde Stearns then- and to the first named gentleman since-are we much indebted for the pre- servation of the city and county archives, and for the admirable order of arrangement in which they are found.
From the year 1836, or a year or two before, Mr. Stearns had always figured through their local administrations, in one manner or another, benc- ficially to the people. He was born at . Salem, Massachusetts; spent con- siderable time in Mexico; came to Los Angeles in 1828; his business a merchant. His fortune seems to have begun about 1842. He obtained several large grants of land, in this county and elsewhere. He was a mem- ber of the Constitutional Convention of 1849, and of the State Legislature; always a prominent and useful citizen until his death, at San Francisco, August 23d, 1871, at the age of 72 years. He married Dona Arcadia, daughter of Don Juan Bandini. Dona Ysidora, daughter of Don Juan, was married to Colonel Cave J. Conts April 4th, 1851. Colonel C. is before mentioned as Lieutenant in Major Graham's command. Col. C. resigned his commission in November following; established the Rancho of Guajome, in San Diego County. He died wealthy, at the City of San Diego, June 10th, 1874, leav- ing his widow, four daughters, and four sons. Don Juan Bandini came to California in 1819, and for many years filled a considerable space in the pub- lic view. He was Administrador of the Mission San Gabriel in 1839; one of the Ayuntamiento of Los Angeles in 1844; member of the Departmental Assembly at its suspension, on the approach of the U. S. forces, August 10th, 1846, but at that date was at home in San Diego. He had partly written a history of California at the time of his death, which took place at this city, November 2d, 1859, at the age of fifty-nine years. He was a profound thinker, a clear, forcible writer. Don Juan was twice married; his first wife, Dona Dolores Estudillo, daughter of Don Jose Estudillo, formerly the distinguished military commander of Montery; his second, Dona Refugio Arguello. Both ladies possessed singular beauty. Of the first marriage, are Mrs. Robert S. Baker, Mrs. Couts, Mrs. Pedro C. Carillo, and two sons, Jose Maria Bandini and Juanito Bandini. Of the second, are Mrs. Charles R. Johnson, Mrs. Dr. James B. Winston, and three sons, Juan de la Cruz Ban- dini, Alfredo Bandini, and Arturo Bandini.
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY.
It was a pretty incident-the manufacture of the first American flag on this Pacific Coast. On arriving at San Diego, in the Fall of 1846, Commo- dore Stockton, awhile, was kept almost in a state of siege. Beef was indis- pensable for immediate demand, and beef, horses, and work-oxen, for further operations by land. Don Juan Bandini then was at his Rancho of Guada- lupe, eighty miles south of San Diego. In order to secure necessary supplies a strong force, under Major Hensly, was sent into Lower California; and at Guadalupe obtained 500 head of cattle, 200 horses, and eight carretas, drawn by oxen. Don Juan and family accompanied him on the return march. Joyfully all had reached La Punta, within fifteen miles of San Diego, when the Major observed that he was without a flag to crown his triumphal entry into the post. Woman's thought is equal to an emergency. Dona Refugio offered to work one on the spot. Little Dolores (Mrs. Johnson) and smaller Margarita (Mrs. Winston) wore the red and blue-white soon came to hand- and an impromptu Star-Spangled Banner, perfect as ever floated in air, cheered the rest of the march. That night, a serenade to the fair maker, from all the grand music of Congress and Savannah, celebrated the event, and the third day thereafter the gift was acknowledged, in person, by Commodore and officers. Impressively, as he always promised, he said to that amiable lady : " Whatever you may ask of the United States, it shall be granted." Although she believes she has just claims, they remain unrequited.
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