History of California, Volume IV, Part 51

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: San Francisco, Calif. : The History Company, publishers
Number of Pages: 820

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437

ACTION OF THE JUNTA.

The committee could find in the evidence before it no reason for Micheltorena's present action, after having proclaimed that the country was at peace, and that he had yielded to the just demands of the male- contents. The campaign seemed to be merely a per- secution of those who had wished to send away the batallon; and the governor's relations with foreigners, and especially with so suspicious a character as Sut- ter, instead of strengthening his cause, had prima facie removed all his claims to popular sympathy in the south. Both sides of the question should, however, be heard; and to that end the committee reported in the session of February 1st that the president of the junta should appoint a committee to wait on Michel- torena, to consult with him on means for putting an end to dissensions, and to request that pending nego- tiations he would suspend his advance on Los Ange- les, and thus avoid bloodshed. This report was ap- proved before the session the same day. Pico had sent the governor a letter by Sepúlveda, enclosing his speech at the earlier session with other records, and explaining the object of the junta to prevent dissen- sions.21 Also on the afternoon of the 1st a meeting of the people was convoked.22 What was done at that meeting, if anything beyond announcing the action of the junta, is not known; but within a few days Castro with a part of his force set out for San Buenaventura, whither we shall follow him later.

The commissioners appointed by the president of the junta on the 3d were José Antonio de la Guerra of Santa Barbara, Vicente Sanchez, Abel Stearns, Antonio F. Coronel, and Antonio M. Lugo. Their instructions, dated the 4th, went perhaps a little be- yond the original resolution of the assembly. They

21 Sessions of the junta, Feb. I, 1845. Dept. St. Pap., MS., vi. 2-8, 11-12; Leg. Rec., MS., iv. 30-1, 305; Dept. Rec., MS., xiv. 3. 42. Feb. Ist, Pico to M. Micheltorena, Expediente, no. 5. M. replied Feb. 4th, from Arroyo Hondo, saying briefly that in order to reply he needed a copy of the constitution not. to be found in camp! Id., no. 6.

22 Feb. 1, Castro to alcalde. Dept. St. Pap., Ang., MS., xi. 139. HIST. CAL , VOL. 1V. 32

498

EXPULSION OF GOVERNOR MICHELTORENA.

were to urge Micheltorena to respect the universal desire of the people by complying with the agreement of Santa Teresa; to dismiss his foreign allies, whose presence with arms in their hands was against the laws and a menace to the nation; and to send the Ind- ians back to their rancherías, their arming being a most impolitic and dangerous act. Should he consent to these terms, his person and position would be respect- ed, and the junta would cooperate with him to restore order; should he refuse, he would be held responsible for the war that would result, since every Californian was ready to take up arms in defence of national in- tegrity.23 23 Captain Guerra was already at Santa Bár- bara, where some of the other comisionados joined him, and early in the morning of the 7th they called on Micheltorena at the mission. He refused to treat officially with them as representatives of a junta which as he maintained had not been legally convened; but being about to resume his march, he consented to con- fer with them as private individuals on the way. Ac- cordingly they called the same evening at his camp at Carpintería, but accomplished nothing. Next day the general started for San Buenaventura, but returned on learning that Castro held that place; and after a conference with Sutter and other officers, he made known to Guerra his ultimatum-that pardon would be granted to the revolutionists, and even the lives of the leaders would be spared, if they would give up their arms and place themselves at the disposition of the governor.24

23 Feb. 3d, 4th, appointment and instructions of commissioners. Guerra, Doc., MS., i. 68-72; Dept. St. Pap., MS., vi. 9-10; Coronel, Doc., MS., 235- · 7. The original resolution of the junta of Feb. Ist, with a note from Pico, was sent to M. on the 5th, when the comisionados started. Micheltorena, Expe- diente, no. 7-8.

24 Feb. 7th, 9th, Guerra to Pico. Doc. Hist. Cal., MS., iv. 1154-5; Guerra, Doc., MS., i. 75-8; Dept. St. Pap., MS., vi. 12. On Feb. 4th, however, ac- cording to Leg. Rec., MS., iv. 32, M. had written to Pico from Arroyo Hondo, in reply to Pico's note of the Ist, promising to answer questions of the assem- bly. Coronel, one of the committee, Cosas de Cal., MS., 58-63, gives some details of their labors, including several trips back and forward between Micheltorena and Castro, which do not agree at all with the original records. He says the committee consisted of himself, Sanchez, and Jobn Wilson. He

499

PIO PICO GOVERNOR.

The junta, not having received the explanations promised by Micheltorena on the 4th, nor having any evidence that he had replied to the comisionados, voted on the 12th to demand peremptorily a reply within an hour after the receipt of the demand, which was sent to Guerra, with a threat that if no answer were received by the 14th the assembly would take such steps as it might deem proper to secure the rights of the people. The day came, bringing only the news that the governor had refused to recognize either the junta or its commissioners. Thereupon, on motion of the president, it was resolved, 1st, That Micheltorena's authority be ignored; 2d, That the two positions for- merly held by him be filled according to law; 3d, That the junta continue its sessions at Los Angeles, and take measures to make its authority respected; and, 4th, That it proceed to prepare formal accusations against Micheltorena, to be presented to the supreme government. Next day, the 15th, Pio Pico, as senior vocal, was declared to be the legal governor ad in- terim. The customary proclamations to the people and orders to subordinate authorities were issued. Alvarado and Castro gave in their adhesion to the new régime, and Don Pio, having announced his in- tention of marching in person against the foe, pub- lished on the 17th an order that all citizens, native or foreign, must present themselves in arms for active service on the following day-an order which was obeyed very promptly.25

had some personal interviews with M., who asked him not to exert himself to bring about a peaceable arrangement, since he wished to get out of the country honorably before it should fall into American hands.

25 Feb. 10, 1845, T. S. Avila testifies that on the 6th he heard Michelto- rena say that he ignored the assembly. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Pref. y Juzg., MS., ii. 40-1. Feb. 12th, action of junta demanding an immediate answer, communicated by Pico and Olvera to gov., Guerra, and the people. Leg. Rec., MS., iv. 32; Dept. Rec., MS., xiv. 43; Guerra, Doc., MS., i. 79; Dept. St. Pap., Ang., MS., xi. 137-8; Micheltorena, Expediente, no. 9. Feb. 14th, Guerra to junta, announcing the refusal of M. to treat with the comisionados. Doc. Hist. Cal., MS., iv. 1155-6; Dept. St. Pap., MS., vi. 13; Guerra, Doc., MS., i. 81-2. Same date, action of junta ignoring M., proclaimed by Pico. Leg. Rec., MS., iv. 33-5; Dept. St. Pap., MS., vi. 14-16; Los Angeles, Arch., MS., iii. 13-15; Coronel, Doc., MS., Ill. Micheltornea, Expediente, no. 10,

500

EXPULSION OF GOVERNOR MICHELTORENA.

Castro, with most of his northern division and a few who joined him in the south, perhaps 150 in all, had left Los Angeles within a few days after Febru- ary Ist, and on or about the 8th had occupied San Buenaventura with a view to watch Micheltorena's movements, and to prevent his advance as long as possible, while preparations were being made in the city. Here he is said to have thrown up some slight intrenchments, to have sent out parties of scouts to observe and worry the enemy, and to have performed a variety of evolutions, respecting the unimportant details of which there is no agreement among wit- nesses. 26

Micheltorena and Sutter-the latter having taken the precaution to have his land grant signed before leaving Santa Bárbara -started from Carpintería southward on the 8th; but learning that Castro had occupied San Buenaventura, they marched back again to their former camp, or perhaps to El Rincon, and stayed there a week. During this time Lieutenant Coates, with fifteen men of Gantt's company, made a reconnaissance over the hills, and all were captured by an advance party of Californians, probably under Manuel Castro. There is conflicting testimony as to how the capture was effected, and room for suspicion that it was not much against the will of the foreigners. At any rate, they were well treated in Castro's camp,

with date of 15th, forwarded to M. on same date with a long letter of expla- nation, protest, and warning. Id., no. 11. Feb. 15th, junta declares Pico to be gov. ad interim, his communications to different officials, and his patriotic proclamation to the people. Leg. Rec., MS., iv. 35; Dept. St. Pap., MS., vi. 16-17; I.l., S. José, v. 91-2; Id., Angeles, x. 58-60; Sta Cruz, Arch., MS., 36. Feb. 17th, Alvarado and Castro acknowledge Pico, who says he will march against M. Leg. Rec., MS., iv. 36. Pico to M., reproaching and warning him. Dept. St. Pap., MS., ix. 8-11. Pico to citizens, calling them to arms. All who aid M. to be regarded as enemies to the country and to suffer ac- cordingly. Id., Angeles, x. 56. The proceedings of the assembly and nego- tiations with M. are also described more or less fully, nothing being added to what I have given, in Pico, Hist. Cal., MS., 106-11; Bandini, Hist. Cal., MS., 109-10; Pico, Acont., MS., 60-1; Larios, Convulsiones, MS., 20-1.

26 Garcia, Hechos, MS., 81-3; Fernandez, Cosas de Cal .. MS., 112-17; Ar- naz, Recuerdos, MS., 70-1; Pico, Hist. Cal., MS., 111-12; Serrano, Apuntes. MS., 96-7; Larios, Convulsiones, MS., 21-3; Ord, Ocurrencias, MS., 135, These throw no light on the details of Castro's proccedings.

501

THE GENERAL AT SAN BUENAVENTURA.

being thoroughly relieved of all fears of oppression from the Californians, and sent back under parole, having promised to take no part in future hostilities. Returning to Santa Bárbara, they induced many of their companions to join them and withdraw from Micheltorena's service. Others had withdrawn be- fore, influenced by their disgust at the slow progress southward and by Marsh's arguments; so that now not over half of the foreign allies, some fifty in num- ber, remained with the convicts and Indians, and many of these were retained only by their unwilling- ness to abandon a cause in which they had once em- barked.27

At last, on the 15th of February, the day on which the junta voted to ignore Micheltorena's authority, the latter ordered an advance southward. His army entered San Buenaventura that day or the next. Castro retired without resistance at the enemy's ap- proach, though Sutter speaks of a charge led by him- self which compelled the Californians to break and

27 WVm A. Streeter, Recollections, MS., 35-51, gives more details about the captivity than any other. He happened to arrive at S. Buenaventura just at that time, and served as interpreter between Castro and the prisoners. He names Knight, Swift, the Murphys, Coombs, and McIntosh as among the number, and says they were detained 5 days. Streeter went with them to Sutter's camp, and when questioned greatly exaggerated the dangers of at- tacking Castro. In spite of Capt. Gantt's entrcaties, 35 men besides the pa- roled prisoners decided to leave the company, the writer coming north with them. Sutter, Person. Remin., MS., says that Coates and his men after a day's absence came back with a story that they had been captured and re- leased on parole, and he, not without suspicions, let them go. Chamberlain, Memoirs, MS., 14-20, names Sheldon, Wyman, and McCoon as among the captives. Nidever, Adventures, MS., 111, says the men had been warned at Sta Bárbara that they would be captured if not more careful. The news of the capture and release was received at S. F. before March 2d. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xii. 130. Manuel Castro, Relacion, MS., 124-6, names Los Pitos as the place where the Americans were taken. Rico, Memorias, MS., 11-16, gives some details of the capture, which he says was effected by retreating scouts leading the Americans into an ambush, Rico himself being in command. Osio, Hist. Cal., MS., 450-1, has it that 30 foreigners met and retreated before Castro's force, whereupon José Castro marched out alone to meet them and persuade them that they were on the wrong side. Larios, Convulsiones, MS., 21-1, tells us that Murphy, after the capture, promised Castro to go back to camp and induce most of Gantt's company to leave the service, and did so. Men- tion also in Vallejo, Hist. Cal., MS., iv. 450-2; Buelna, Notas, MS., 5-S; Pico, Acont., MS., 61. Larkin in letters of the time states that at least half of the foreigners and some of the Mexicans deserted before the battle of Caliuenga. Jones says that only 30 of the riflemen were left.

502

EXPULSION OF GOVERNOR MICHELTORENA.

flee, and there is some evidence that a few cannon- balls were sent after Castros' army as it disappeared in the distance.28 The adverse action of the Angelinos seems not to have been known at this time; but on the contrary there was a report credited by Michel- torena, and by the people of Santa Bárbara, that the Picos had raised a force and were marching to the general's support.29 Alvarado and Vallejo, vaguely supported by a few other Californians, talk of a per- sonal interview between Castro and Micheltorena at San Buenaventura, at which, in continuation of their former agreement, the final arrangements for a sham- battle and treaty were made. I have no reason to believe that any such interview took place.30

Micheltorena remained a day or two at San Buena- ventura, and then resumed his advance, spending a night either at El Triunfo or Las Vírgenes, and arriving at the Encino in San Fernando Valley at nightfall on February 19th. Meanwhile Castro had retired to Los Angeles, where he had been joined by Alvarado with reinforcements. The two had again

28 Sutter, in his Personal Reminis., MS., affirms that he led the advance with 600 men, by the mountains, while the general with the rest of the army (!) and the artillery came next morning by the beach road. Sutter crossed the hills in the night in a heavy rain, and at daybreak was in sight of the mission, half his force having loitered behind. Sutter made a charge, and the foe fled to form again in line of battle half a mile away. Bidwell was seut back to get permission to attack them, but Micheltorena refused. He could easily have routed Castro's army, he thinks. He mentions no firing of cannon. Castro, Relacion, MS., 124-7, says the long rains had damaged their powder, and that M. with his artillery conpelled a retreat. Gonzalez, Memorias, MS., 13-24, Wiggins, Remin., MS., 8-11, and Arnaz, Recuerdos, MS., 70-1, say that two or three cannon shots were fired at long range.

20 Feb. 16th, J. C. Jones to Larkin. Announces the occupation of S. Buena- ventura, Castro's retreat, and the reports from Angeles. He thinks M. knew of Pico's approach before he advanced. "There is no doubt that this news is true, which has put a death-stroke to the hopes of Castro and his party. The Californians must now submit to be governed by Mexicans, and with a rod of iron.' Larkin's Doc., MS., iii. 36. Vallejo, Hist. Cal., 2IS., iv. 447-S, re- ceived from M. a letter written at this time, in which he announced the good news from Angeles and his confidence in success.

30 Alvarado, Ilist. Cal., MS., v. 28-9, 48-53; Vallejo, Hist. Cal., MS., v. 2-3. Gonzalez, Memorias, MS., 23-4, speaks of M. having received letters from Alvarado and Castro, the former read to the men and containing insults, while the latter was read privately. Others say something of the receipt of letters, but nobody claims to have seen the interview.

503

BATTLE OF CAHUENGA.

advanced through the Cahuenga Pass with 284 men, encamping on the 18th in the southern edge of San Fernando Valley seven or eight miles from Encino. Pio Pico probably came up from the city next day with additional reënforcements, since there is a gen- eral agreement among authorities that the Califor- nians had in all nearly 400 men.31

Friday morning, the 20th, the rival armies advanced from Encino and Cahuenga respectively-that of Micheltorena down, and that of Castro up, the general course of the Los Angeles River-until they ap- proached within shooting-distance, at very long can- non-range of each other. Both parties, or at least some portions of each, sought protection under the banks of the river, or of the dry gulches communi- cating therewith. The Californians had two small cannon, the Mexicans three, including the one brought from New Helvetia. It was probably noon before the firing began, and it was kept up all the afternoon on both sides, Micheltorena's gunners using grape and firing over a hundred times; while the others fired less shots, using ball and in some cases perhaps small stones. The result was that a horse on the patriot side had his head blown off-some say two horses fell; while I am impelled by a spirit of histori- cal fairness to record a rumor, not very well authen- ticated, that a mule on the side of the cholos was slightly injured. Not a drop of human blood was spilled on the battle-field of Cahuenga, or of Alamo, as it is called by several writers familiar with the region.32 Just before night Micheltorena moved his force eastward across the plain, with the apparent intention of executing a flank movement, striking

31 Feb. 18th, Alvarado and Castro to Pico. Have arrived, with their division of 250 men, increased by 34 riflemen at Cahuenga. No signs of the enemy yet. An interview with Pico is desired. Dept. St. Pap., MS., vi. 17. Feb. 20th, alcalde of S. Diego to Pico. People here lukewarm about poli- tics, yet a party of volunteers start to-day to join Alvarado and Castro. Id., Ben. Pref. y Juzy., ii. 114-15. These volunteers, as usual for the S. Diegans, were too late.

32 Such are Forster, Valle, Botello, etc.

504

EXPULSION OF GOVERNOR MICHELTORENA.

the river at its bend, and following it down to the city. Accordingly a large part of the Californian army withdrew through the Cahuenga Pass. Then they proceeded to the left until they reached the river, and after ascending its course for a few miles, encamped for the night. Thus when the sun rose on the 21st it found the two armies again facing each other on the Verdugo rancho, some ten or twelve miles from the battle-field of Friday. There seems to have been more cannon firing for an hour or two on this Saturday morning, though this is not quite certain. Then Micheltorena, raising a white flag, proposed a capitulation.

Thus ended the battle of Cahuenga-accompanied by a war of the elements, one of the sand-storms peculiar to this region-the second of the name in which a Mexican governor was defeated by the Cali- fornians. I have briefly described its general feat- ures, with as much accuracy as is deducible from the mass of confused, contradictory, and often false testi- mony extant on the subject. I append in a note some items from this testimony, and proceed to take up an important feature of the conflict, the part taken therein by foreigners, not noticed before. 33

33 The narrative of B. D. Wilson, Observations on Early Days, MS., 46-56, who was an eye-witness of all that occurred, is on the whole the clearest, most consistent, and best supported statement of the whole affair, though the author does not go very minutely into details except on the part taken by foreigners. The editor of the Los Angeles Co. Hist., 41, appears to have seen a copy of Wilson's narrative which was made from my original by a member of his family. The letters of John C. Jones from Sta Bárbara to Thomas O. Larkin on Feb. 23d, 24th, Larkin's Doc., MS., ii. 65; iii. 37, and of L. to the U. S. sec. state on March 22d, 24th, Id., Off. Corresp., MS., i. 22-24; ii. 19- 21, contain the earliest accounts, agreeing substantially with Wilson and with mny text. Jones says 'unfortunately nothing living was killed except a few horses;' and he attributes the general's defeat to his slow movements, depend- cuce on cannon, the outrageous plundering of private property by his men on the march, and to Sutter's bluster. In his first letter he mentioned the rumored killing of 11 cholos and one foreigner. Larkin also mentioned re- corded rumors of several men being killed. Both state that the cannonading continued on Saturday morning. March 2d, reports of the defeat reached S. F .; 12 cholos, one foreigner, one Indian, and one officer killed ! Vallejo, Doc., MS., xii. 139.

Sutter, Pers. Reminis., MS., says they saw the enemy on the night before the battle (19th). Advanced at sunrise, Micheltorena commanding the artil- lery and infantry, Sutter the cavalry. The first shot broke the wheel of one

505

DEFECTION OF SUTTER'S MEN.

Micheltorena had less than fifty of his foreign rifle- men left when the battle began, and these left him without firing a shot, being so persuaded by the

of the enemy's guns, and scared away the gunners. Then was the time to charge, 'but we had bad luck. Some of the Mexican dragoons began to wa- ver and some of them deserted. The order to charge was not obeyed by the riflemen.' M. gained a position on a wooded hill and defended himself till night and encamped. Next morning, being entirely surrounded and deprived of supplies, he surrendered. S. was, however, captured the first day and knew but little of what occurred subsequently. In his Diary, 5-6, Sutter says: 'Near San Fernando the enemy occupied a fine position, and appeared in full strength, joined by a company of American traders coming from So- nora and another company of the same consisting of Traders and Trappers and the whole force of the enemy was over thousand men (!) well provided with everything, and our force has been no more as about 350 or 375 Men, and during the battle of Cavenga near San fernando the balance of the mounted riflemen and the Artillerie deserted, and myself fell in the hands of the en- emy ... A few days after this, the general, surrounded by the enemy so that he could get nothing more to eat, capitulated.' Wiggins, Reminiscences, MS., 8-11, who was present during part of the battle, says M. had several horses killed and an Indian wounded; the loss on the other side being probably twice as great. Davis, Glimpses of the Past, MS., 117-29, was at Angeles during this campaign, having charge of Bell's store while the owner was absent at Cahuenga. He gives a vivid and interesting account of the non-combatant in- habitants of the city crowding on the hill listening to the boom of distant can- non, waiting for news, and praying for the safety of relatives and friends. He also devotes some space to praise of M., and to a development of the absurd theory that he might with his superior arms and disciplined troops have slaughtered the Californians, but was restrained by feelings of humanity, or- dering his men, as the writer was told, to fire over the enemy's head. The Yolo Co. Hist., 11-12, contains a fair account of the campaign, drawn mainly from Bird and Forbes, though the latter in a letter falls into some absurd errors respecting the battle, as will be noted later. Sce also Chamberlain's Memoirs, MS., 14-20; letters in Niles' Reg., Ixviii. 235-6; Nudlever's Adven- tures, MS., 111; S. F. Chronicle, Feb. 13, 1876; Id., June 15, 1879-this ar- ticle coming from the Sonoma Index, and being wholly false, if not intended as a burlesque, of which there is no indication; Tuthill's Hist. Cal., 150; Rob- inson's Life in Cal., 212-13; Honolulu Friend, iii. 61; Los Angeles Hist., 15; Belden's Hist. Statement, MS., 39; Forster's Pioneer Data, MS., 26-7; Temple's Recoll., MS., 6-7; Streeter's Recoll., MS., 35-51; Spence's Notes, MS., 20-2; Ilayes' Emig. Notes, 214-15; Bell's Remin., 13-14. None of these add any- thing definite to what I have presented.

Pio Pico, Hist. Cal., MS., 112-19, gives a good general account of the battle, and adds many details, some of which I doubt not may bo accurate, though I have no means of determining which. According to him, the action began at 9 A. M. Alvarado fired the first gun with his own hand. Alf. Luis Altamirano and Capt. Rico were in charge of the two guns. Pico himself aeted as commander-in-chief. Micheltorena sent two requests for a cessation of firing, but Pico insisted on a surrender. Workman and Mckinley were reprimanded on the field for trying to open relations with the foe. Joss Castro was found skulking in disguise out of danger. Pico commanded in person the company that prevented M.'s flanking movement, but Castro came up later, and by morning the foe was entirely surrounded. Alvarado, Ilist. Cal., MS., v. 66-75, tells us that on the second day he ordered his men not to waste their powder by repeating the cannonade of the day before. Pico, on a hill out of range, summoned the writer and ordered him in an airy tono to continue the battle. A. went straight back to his guns, and on open-

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History of California, Volume IV, Part 51

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe Publication date: 1885 Publisher: San Francisco, Calif. : The History Company, publishers Number of Pages: 820

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: San Francisco, Calif. : The History Company, publishers
Number of Pages: 820