An illustrated history of Los Angeles County, California. Containing a history of Los Angeles County from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospective future and biographical mention of many of its pioneers and also of prominent citizens of to-day, Part 13

Author: Lewis Publishing Company. cn
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago, Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1092

USA > California > Los Angeles County > An illustrated history of Los Angeles County, California. Containing a history of Los Angeles County from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospective future and biographical mention of many of its pioneers and also of prominent citizens of to-day > Part 13

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Immediately after arriving there he searched the country for horses and cattle to facilitate his march to Los Angeles, of which he secured a considerable number.

Early in December, 1846, Stockton received information of the approach of General Stephen W. Kearny, of the United States Army, with an armed force overland, and sent Captain Gil- lespie with an armed force to meet him.

December 6 occurred the battle of San Pas- cual, in which Kearny gave battle to the Cal- ifornian forces nnder General Andrés Pico. His army suffered the severe loss of eighteen men killed, three mortally wounded, sixteen seriously wounded and one missing. Stockton, on hear- ing of the battle, sent a force to Kearny's relief of about 200 marines and sailors. Kearny ar- rived in safety at San Diego on the 12th.

In the meantime Frémont was busy at Mon- terey preparing his battalion for a march on Los Angeles. Having united his forces at San Juan on November 29, he started out to co- operate with Stockton in Southern California. December 14 they arrived at San Luis Obispo,

where they halted for several days. Here oc- cnrred the trial by court-martial of José de Jesus Pico for violating his parole. He was condemned to be shot; but his wife, accompa- nied by her fourteen children and a company of women of San Luis Obispo, threw herself at Frémont's feet; and he, unable to overcome their pleading, pardoned Pico, and the latter thereby became Fremont's life-long friend, and rendered him special service in the treaty of Cahuenga.

On December 27, Fremont was at Santa Bar- bara. His march south was by slow and easy stages. On the other hand Stockton, with an army of 600 men, marched out of San Diego, December 29, 1846, bound for Los Angeles. He himself was Commander-in-chief, with Gen- eral Kearny in command of the division. Only Gillespie's volunteer riflemen were mounted. The luggage was carried in ten ox carts. The route was by way of San Bernardo, Buena Vista, San Luis Rey and Los Flores. Soon after leaving the latter place, January 4, three inen appeared -Willian Workman, Charles Flügge and Do- mningo Olivas-under a flag of truce, bringing a letter from Flores, dated on the 1st, suggesting a trnce, to await confirmation of a report that peace had been declared between the United States and Mexico. Stockton refused, and de- clared that Flores had violated his parole, and if caught would be shot as a rebel. The embas- sadors then made a plea in behalf of the people; but Stockton would look to no other proposition short of unconditional surrender.

Workman accompanied the army to San Juan Capistrano, where on the 5th he induced Stock- ton to issue a proclamation offering amnesty to all Californians except Flores, on condition that he should be given up as a prisoner.

Stockton's route was by way of Santa Ana, and on January 7, was on the Los Coyotes Rancho.

BATTLE OF SAN GABRIEL.

January 8, the anniversary of the battle of New Orleans, the advance was resumed. There

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

is no doubt that Stockton's intention was to proceed to Los Angeles by the most direct route, crossing the San Gabriel River at the lower ford; but owing to the information re- ceived from John Foster, who accompanied him, that the Mexicans there occupied an advan- tageous position, he turned to the right and directed his course to the upper ford, the Paso del Bartolo. Ile approached the river between two and three o'clock in the afternoon, and found the enemy in possession of the western bank, Mexican scouts having been seen before in the distance.

The Mexican army, fearing that Fremont would arrive from the north, had been stationed for several days at San Fernando; but about the 7th was moved rapidly and secretly, without entering Los Angeles, to 'La Jabonería, at the San Gabriel River. But early on the morning of the 8th the scouts brought news that the plan had been revealed, and that the Americans were marching for the upper ford. Flores at once marched his army up the river and reached the Paso del Bartolo shortly before the Ameri- cans made their appearance. Flores posted his men, nearly 500 in number, on a bluff nearly forty feet high, about 400 yards from the water. Two nine-pound cannon were placed opposite to and commanding the ford. Two companies of cavalry under Andrés Pico and Manuel Garfias were stationed on the right, a few hundred yards sonth, and another company, under José An- tonio Carrillo, on the left, some 600 or 700 yards up the stream. A party of skirmishers was sent across the river and retired as the Americans advanced.

Stockton's order of march was as follows: Center, Turner's second division, with Ilens- ley's riflemen as advance guard, and two guns on each flank; right, first division, under Zielen; left, third division, under Renshaw; rear, fourth division, under Gillespie, with two guns under Thompson, and a guard of forty-nine men under Haywood, the cattle and wagons being in the center.

The army halted about a quarter of a mile

from the river to make final preparations, and then again moved forward to attack the Mexi- cans. A detachment of marines under Lieu- tenant Watson was sent to strengthen the left flank. A party of the enemy, 150 strong, had now crossed the river and made several inef- fectnal efforts to drive wild mares upon the advance party. The Americans moved forward to the ford in broken files. Captain Hensley's company dismounted, and acting as skirmish- ers, deployed to the front and crossed the stream, which varied from fifty to 100 yards in width. The soldiers waded knee-deep across the quicksand, driving before them a party of the enemy, and receiving a scattering fire from the enemy's sharpshooters.

The Mexicans had now taken their position upon the bluff several hundred yards from the river and forty or fifty feet above its level, where they were about 200 strong, and opened fire upon the Americans with two pieces of artillery, throwing round and grape shot, withont effect. The American column halted upon the edge of the stream, and General Kearny ordered that the guns should be unlimbered before crossing, but Stockton immediately countermanded the order. Half way across Kearny sent a message to Stockton that it would be impossible to cross on account of the quicksand, but Stockton jumped off his horse and seized the ropes, say- ing, " Quicksands be damned!" Kearny sup- pressed his anger, and the two nine-pounders, drawn by officers and men as well as mules, soon reached the opposite bank, where they were immediately placed in battery.

The column now followed in order, under the enemy's fire, the round shot and the grape fall- ing thickly among the Americans, without doing much injury. The dragoons and Cyane's musketeers, occupying the center, soon crossed, and formed upon a bank about 400 feet above the stream. The left advancing at the same time, soon ocenpied its position across the river. The rear was longer in getting across; the sand being deep, its passage was delayed by the baggage carts. However, in a

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

few moments a passage of the whole force was effected, with only one man killed and one wounded. The chief reason that the loss of life was so small appears to have been the poor quality of the Mexican home-made gunpowder. While the above was going on, the rear was attacked by a bold charge of the Mexicans, which was repulsed.

In taking a position upon the low bank the right flank under Captain Zielin was ordered to deploy to the right. Two guns from the rear were immediately brought to the right, the four-pounder under Thompson, supported by riflemen under Renshaw. The left flank de- ployed in line in open order. During this time the American artillery began to tell npon the Mexicans, who continued their fire without in- terruption. The nine-pounders, standing in plain view npon the bank, were discharged with such precision, Stockton himself aiming one of the guns and J. W. Marshall, of gold-discov- ery fame, the other, that it soon became warm for the Mexicans upon the bluff. One shot knocked their nine-pound gun from its trail, causing the Mexicans to desert it for a few minutes, when some twenty of them hastily advanced, hitched their riatas to it, and dragged it to the rear. Both of the Mexican guns were dismounted by the Americans; their best gun was dismounted at the first shot. In one hour and twenty minutes after the American army had started across the river the Mexican guns were silenced.

Captain Hensley's skirmishers now ad- vanced and took the hill upon the right, the left wing of the enemy retreating before them. The six-pounder from the rear had now come up, and Captain Hensley was ordered to sup- port it. This movement being observed, the Mexican left wing made an attempt to charge the two guns, but the right flank of the marines under Zielin being quickly thrown back, showed too steady a front, and caused the Mexicans to wheel to the left and dash to the rear across the river. At this time the Mexicans were ob- served collecting on the Americans' left, and

making preparations for a charge. General Kearny was now ordered to form a square, with the troops on the right flank, upon which the left flank, in case of being worsted, might rally. The Mexican right wing then made a charge upon the American left, but met with a warın reception, and changed their troops and retired, being saluted with a discharge from the Amer- ican artillery.

The Americans then hastily arranged for charging the heights. The troops were brought into line, and the command "Forward !" was given. On they went, the artillery in battery, charging the heights, which the Mexican center contested for a few moments only, and then broke and retreated. The Mexican right wing came down upon the American rear under Gil- lespie, who was encumbered with the baggage, but receiving a well-directed fire from the guard, which rendered some of their horses riderless, they fled at full speed across the river.

The other portion of the Mexican army re- treated behind their artillery, and, taking a position in the ravine, began to open fire upon the American center. The American troops were ordered to lie down to avoid the enemy's cannon balls, which passed directly over their heads, while the artillery was immediately thrown forward. Firing became general, but so accurate was the aim of the Americans that the enemy were from time to time driven from their guns until they finally retreated and re- tired from the battle-field. The band played " Hail Columbia," and the second battle of the Mexican war in Los Angeles County was ended. The Americans lost two men killed and eight wounded, one of the latter dying the next day. The Mexican loss was probably about the same number killed. The engagement lasted some- thing less than two hours. The Americans then went into camp, while the Mexican armny repaired to the Cañada de los Alisos, not far from the main road to Los Angeles, and posted themselves in a favorable position to await the approach of the American army.

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

BATTLE OF THE MESA.

The next morning, January 9, 1847, at nine o'clock, the American army resumed its march for the city of Los Angeles, but instead of fol- lowing the road, turned to the left in the open plain as soon as the position of the Mexicans was known. About noon the Mexiean army approached, firing their cannon, and the Amer- icans replied. This artillery dnel at long range continued for several hours, as the American army advanced at a slow paee in a compact square over the mesa, with no loss on either side, except a few animals that were killed. On at least two occasions the Mexican cavalry charged upon the American infantry, the latter being formed in a square, coming within a hun- dred yards or less, but did not succeed in break- ing it, being repulsed by the musketry. The Mexicans in this charge lost one man killed and quite a number wounded; the number of Americans wounded was five.

About four o'clock the Mexican army, real- izing their inability to cope with the Americans, retired, and the battle of the Mesa was ended.

The American army proceeded across the Los Angeles River, and encamped about three miles below the town. The next morning, January 10, a flag of truee was brought to Stockton by Celis, Ávila and Workman, who came to intercede in behalf of the city, prom- ising that no resistance should be made to the Americans, and Stockton in return promised them kind treatment.

At ten o'clock the armny broke camp and ad- vanced slowly up the river. About noon the troops entered the city by the principal street, direeting their march to the plaza, with flags flying and the band playing. Many families had retired to the ranchos, but the hill was cov- ered with people watching the Americans enter.

A fight took place between two Mexicans on the hill. One of them beeame disarmed, and, to avoid being killed by his adversary, rolled down the hill toward the American soldiers, his opponent following him and lancing him in the most cold-blooded manner. The man tumbling

down the hill was supposed to be one of the American servants, and the ery of " Rescue him !" was raised. The erew of the Cyane, nearest the scene, at once and withont orders halted and gave a volley to the man with the lanee. Some of the Mexicans on the hill then opened fire upon the American vaqueros, when the riflemen were directed to clear the hill, which they did with a single volley, leaving two Mexicans dead upon the ground. A strong detachment, with artillery, was then posted on the hill, and Gil- lespie had the pleasure of again raising the American flag over the old quarters where he had been compelled to take it down four months before.

The next day, January 11, Commodore Stock- ton issned a proclamation congratulating the officers and men on their brilliant victories and on once inore taking possession of the city of Los Angeles.

THIE CAPITULATION OF CANIUENGA.

Aud now comes a most interesting narrative of the closing scenes of the American conquest of California. Commodore Stockton, by virtue of his position and rank, having conquered the country, was Governor and Commander-in-chief. An agreement had been made between him and Frémont whereby the latter should become Gov- ernor after the Mexicans had been subjugated. The time of Frémont's appointment as Governor had been set back by the revolt of Los An- geles, eaused by Gillespie's indiseretion. In the meantime General Kearny had been sent from Santa Fé with an army of 300 men to conquer California and establish a civil government. Meeting with Kit Carson on the Rio Grande bearing dispatches to President Polk, containing information from Stockton that California had been conquered and was in possession of the Americans, Kearny sent back a large part of his men to Santa Fé, and, forwarding Carson's dis- patches by another messenger, persuaded the latter to return to California with him as a guide, and pushed on with a small portion of his men. Meeting with the disaster at Pasenal and

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

being rescued, as it were, by Stockton, Kearny for the time made no pretensions to be Commander- in-chief. It is also probable that he realized that his opportunity to win glory by conquering California and being its Governor had already been taken by Stockton and Frémont.

Thus a feeling of rivalry early sprang up, which was perhaps nurtured on both sides, and encouraged some sharp practice and culminated in Frémont's arrest and court-martial.

While en route from San Diego to Los An- geles, Stockton had dispatched a messenger to Fremont, then marching south from Monterey; and on the 9th, the day of the battle of the Mesa, a inessenger came into Stockton's camp with the news that Frémont was near San Fernando. This undoubtedly shows that Frémont and Stock- ton, the rivals of Kearny, were in communica- tion with each other.

On the afternoon of the 10th, the day the American army entered Los Angeles, Kearny sent a letter to Frémont at San Fernando, only twenty-two miles away, announcing the arrival of the army in the city, which message Fremont received. The previous day-the day of the battle of the Mesa-" the Mexican army under Flores," says Warner, " failing to make any im- pression npon the Americans, moved to the San Pascual* Rancho [where is now the city of Pas- adena]. On the night of the 11th, at an early honr, General Flores, with forty or fifty men, started for Sonora, going by way of San Gor- gonie Pass and the Colorado River, and General Andrés Pico succeeded him in command."

Frémont, on his way south, left Santa Bar- bara January 3, and on the 9th, while near San Fernando, there arrived in canıp the mes- senger whom Stockton had sent from San Luis Rey on the 3d. Stockton and Frémont were that day not over forty miles apart, which a native Californian on horseback could quickly cover; and it was that same day, the day of the battle of the Mesa, a messenger arrived in Stock- ton's camp from Frémont. Frémont arrived at San Fernando on the night of the 11th, and met

a Frenchman bearing Kearny's note, informing him of the occupation of Los Angeles. His bat- talion advanced and occupied the mission build- ings about one o'clock P. M. the same day. Fré- mont had positive information therefore of the Mexican defeat and the American possession of the city. He could have come to Los Angeles late that night, or, at the farthest, before noon of the 12th. Before night, however, he sent Jesus Pico to a camp of the Mexican army at the Verdngo Ranch. Pico was a man of some influence among the Mexicans, and dwelt with enthusiasm on the treatment he had received at the hands of Frémont, and urged his country- men to negotiate with Frémont instead of Stock- ton. A message was sent out to the different places where the Mexicans were scattered, and all assembled to hold a final council, in which it was decided to follow Pico's advice. Flores was present at this council, and the same night, upon resolving to go to Mexico, he turned the command over to Andrés Pico.

Then Francisco de la Guerra and Francisco Rico were chosen as representatives to go with Pic , to San Fernando the next day (the 12th), where they were received by Frémont. On the return of Guerra and Rico, J. A. Carrillo and Augustin Olvera were appointed by Andrés Pico as commissioners for the Californians, and the Mexican camp was removed to the region of Cahuenga. Frémont marched his battalion to the Cahuenga Ranch the same day, and the next morning, Jannary 13, signed a treaty with a pretended army, of whose utter defeat he had had full knowledge for nearly forty-eight hours! Following is a copy of that remarkable docu- ment, taken verbatim from Frémont's Memoirs:

CAPITULATION OF COUENGA.

To All Whom These Presents Shall Come, Greeting: Know Ye, that in consequence of propositions of peace, or cessation of hostili- ties, being submitted to me, as Commandant of the California Battalion of the United States forces, which have so far been acceded to by me as to canse me to appoint a board of conmis- sioners to confer with a similar board appointed by the Californians, and it requiring a little

*The battle of San Pascual was fought in San Diego County.

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

time to close the negotiations; it is agreed upon and ordered by me that an entire cessation of hostilities shall take place until to-morrow after- noon (January 13), and that the said Californians be permitted to bring in their wounded to the mission of San Fernando, where, also, if they choose, they can move their camp to facilitate said negotiations.

Given under my hand and seal this 12th day of January, 1847.

J. C. FRÉMONT, Lieutenant-Colonel U. S. A., and Military Commandant of California.

ARTICLES OF CAPITULATION made and entered into at the Rancho of Conenga, this thirteenth day of January, Anno Domini, eighteen hun- dred and forty-seven, between P. B. Reading, Major; Louis MeLane, Jr., Commanding Ar- tillery; Wm. H. Russell, Ordnance Officer; commissioners appointed by J. C. Frémont, Lieutenant-Colonel United States Army and Military Commandant of the territory of Cal- ifornia; and José Antonio Carrillo, Com- mandante de Esquadron, Agustin Olivera, Diputado, commissioners appointed by Don Andrés Pico, Commander-in-chief of the Cal- ifornia forces under the Mexican flag.

ARTICLE I .- The Commissioners on the part of the Californians agree that their entire force shall, on presentation of theinselves to Lieuten- ant-Colonel Fremont, deliver np their artillery and public arms, and they shall return peace- ably to their homes, conforming to the laws and regulations of the United States, and not again take up arms during the war between the United States and Mexico, but will assist in placing the country in a state of peace and tranquillity.

ART. II. - The Commissioners on the part of Lieutenant-Colonel Frémont agree to and bind themselves on the fulfillment of the first article by the Californians, that they shall be guaranteed protection of life and property, whether on parole or otherwise.

ART. III .- That until a treaty of peace be inade and signed between the United States of North America and the Republic of Mexico, no Californian or other Mexican citizen shall be bound to take the oath of allegiance.

ART. IV .- That any Californian or other citi- zen of Mexico desiring, is permitted by this capitulation to leave the country without let or hindrance.

ART. V .- That in virtue of the aforesaid arti- cles, equal rights and privileges are vouchsafed

to every citizen of California as are enjoyed by the citizens of the United States of North America.

ART. VI .- All officers, citizens, foreigners or others shall receive the protection guaranteed by the second article.

ART. VII .- This capitulation is intended to be no bar in effecting such arrangements as may in future be in justice required by both parties.

P. B. READING, Major California But- talion.

WM. H. RUSSELL, Ordnance Officer Cali- fornia Battalion.

LOUIS MCLANE, Jr., Commanding Artillery, California Battalion.

JOSÉ ANTONIO CARRILLO, Commandante de Esquadron.

AGUSTIN OLIVERA, Diputado. Approved.

JOHN C. FREMONT, Lieutenant-Colonel U. S. A., and Military Commandant of California.

Approbado.

ANDRÉS Pico, Commandante de Esquadron y en Gife de las Fuerzas Nationales en California.

ADDITIONAL ARTICLE.

That the paroles of all officers, citizens and others of the United States, and of naturalized citizens of Mexico, are by this foregoing capitu- lation cancelled; and every condition of said paroles from and after this date are of no further force and effect; and all prisoners of both par- ties are hereby released.

(Signed as above.)

CIUDAD DE LOS ANGELES, January 16, 1847.

Frémont then forwarded the document with a letter to General Kearny at Los Angeles, and the next morning, January 14, Fremont with his battalion marched into Los Angeles. In his report to the Government, January 15, Stockton wrote: "Not being able to negotiate with me, and having lost the battles of the 8th and 9th, the Californians met Frémont on the 12th inst., on his way here, who, not knowing what had occurred, entered into the capitulation with thein which I now send you; and althonglı I refused to do it myself, I thought best to ap- prove it."

It is probable that when Stockton wrote the

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

foregoing he did not know that Frémont did know what had occurred, having been enlight- ened by a special messenger from Kearny, and even knew where to send a message to the camp of the defeated army.

The quarrel between Kearny and Stockton was now in progress, each claiming the right to organize a civil government, and each ap- proved Frémont's treaty of Cahuenga, and were friendly with Frémont, who seemed to hold a sort of balance of power between the rival com- manders. Stockton had already planned a civil government, the execution of which had been delayed by the Los Angeles revolt, although he already styled himself Governor and Com- mander-in-chief, thus precluding the intentions of Kearny, who according to his instructions had intended to start the government with him- self at the head.

While at San Diego, Kearny had refused to accept the offer of Stockton to take command of the expedition against Los Angeles, probably because of hniniliation felt from the disastrous effects of the battle of San Pascual, and that Stockton's arrangements for the march were nearly completed. The war now being over in California, he doubtless thought that the time had come for him to assert what he thought were his rights; and this may account for his sending a messenger immediately on the occupa- tion of Los Angeles, to Frémont at San Fer- nando, requesting the latter to report to him for assistance when needed. When Fremont was at Cahuenga he sent Major Russell to Los Angeles in advance to learn who was actually in command- Kearny or Stockton. Russell called first on Kearny and learned that he recognized Stockton as Commander-in-chief. Russell then reported to Stockton, and on the 14th Stockton tendered to Frémont and Russell their respective commissions as Governor and Secretary of State.

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Author: Lewis Publishing Company. cn Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Chicago, Lewis Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1092

Author: Lewis Publishing Company. cn
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago, Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1092