History of California, Volume XXII, Part 35

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe
Publication date: 1885-1890
Publisher: San Francisco, Calif. : The History Company, publishers
Number of Pages: 816

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330

THE FLORES REVOLUTION-FIGHT AT SAN PASCUAL.

Andrés Pico was ordered in all haste to proceed with a hundred men to San Luis to cut off the retreat of a body of the enemy which Flores understood to have started for Santa Isabel. Captain Cota at the same time was instructed to cooperate with Pico; and the hope was expressed that the Americans might be caught between the two forces and destroyed. Two days later it was learned that the enemy had gone back to San Diego; but still Don Andrés was ordered to make a reconnoissance in the region of the San José Valley; and he seems to have remained in the south, where we shall presently hear from him. Flores him- self a little earlier had announced his intention to march with 200 men to San Diego as soon as a quan- tity of powder could be manufactured. He also made an effort to win back the support of Juan Bandini for the Californian cause, but without success.5

5 Nov. 5th, Flores' procl. The country having been declared in a state of siege, all citizens from 15 to 60 years of age must appear to take up arms at the first alarm. The signal, a cannon-shot, general alarm, and ringing of bells. Those who fail to respond will be put to death as traitors. Janssens, Doc., MS., 33-7; Olvera, Doc., 54-6. Nov. 6th, Flores to com. at Sta Ines. Rob- bins, A. B. Thompson, Daniel Hill, and Robert Cruell to remain at Sta Ines till further orders; but may go to Sta Bárbara on business. Janssens, Doc., MS., 37-8. Nov. 6th, Capt. G. Flores to Janssens. Thinks the latter un- fortunate in being appointed military commandant. 'A Mexican is mal visto, even if he perform miracles.' Id., 54. No powder, and not a dollar to buy any. Id., 55. Nov. Sth, Flores to - (Antonio Rodriguez ?), ordering him to raise and command a 9th company at Sta Barbara. Id., 38-40. Nov. 12th, 13th, Flores to Cota. Will soon march to S. Diego. Understands the diffi- culty of approaching that place; but you can cut off the enemy's supplies and communications, and shoot every Indian found in his service. Must report if the enemy had been reenforced by a ship that passed S. Pedro ou the Sth. Olvera, Doc., MS., 57-9. Nov. 12th, Flores to Bandini, urging him to sup- port the Californian cause, and assuring him that he shall not be molested in any way for the past. He calls Don Juan ' Uncle.' Bandini, Doc., MS., 99. Same date, Florcs to Cota. Official letter enclosing one for Bandini; and pri- vate letter, in which he says : 'I flatter him a little to see if we cannot turn an enemy into a friend, for our circumstances do not allow us to commit impru- dent acts at present. This man is the one most to be feared now, and it is necessary not to vex him. You may write to him and try to raise his spirit and fill him with confidence, and see what may be got out of him, especially arms and ammunition.' Olvera, Doc., MS., 58-60. Nov. 19th, Flores to Janssens. You may impose a contribution of cattle and grain to support your detachment, not to exceed 15 men. Janssens, Doc., MS., 40-1. Nov. 22d, Flores to Andrés Pico and to Cota. Instructions for campaign, as in my text. Pico, Doc., MS., ii. 101-3; Olvera, Doc., MS., 63-7. Nov. 24th, Flores to Pico. Pico, Doc., JIS., ii. 105. Nov. 30th, Raimundo Carrillo, coman- dante at Sta Bárbara, orders Janssens to go to S. Luis Obispo and learn what force was there, if proper precautions were taken, and if there was any news of Fremont's movements. Janssens, Doc., MS., 56-7.

331

OPPOSITION TO FLORES.

Flores was an intelligent and well educated man, who, as far as can be known, had not intrigued for his position, and under difficult circumstances had performed its duties with entire good faith toward the Californians and with fair ability and success. He was, however, a Mexican de la otra banda; there were many who thought a native Californian should be at the head of affairs; and the success of the new gov- ernment was sufficient to inspire jealousies. It is believed, though evidence on this point is not very plentiful or definite, that José Antonio Carrillo, next to Flores in military command, was the officer who chiefly but secretly instigated opposition to the gov- ernor. During the San Pedro campaign there are related a few instances of insubordination on the part of Ramon Carrillo and others; about San Diego there had been bickerings between Californian and Mexican officials, resulting in much demoralization of the troops; Joaquin de la Torre was accredited with hav- ing used his influence against Flores among northern officers and men; and Manuel Cantua had been put in prison for disobedience of orders and wholesale plundering of ranchos. But the general, declaring that he had not sought the command, that he was willing to resign it, and that success was difficult enough even if all would unite their efforts, declined to engage in any quarrel.6

At last for a brief period there was open revolt against Flores' authority. The immediate cause or pretext was his proposed action in the matter of obtaining resources for the war, and disposition of the Chino prisoners. Naturally, as there were no public funds whatever, the task of clothing and sup- porting the soldiers in actual service was a difficult one. Antonio F. Coronel was despatched to Mexico via Sonora as a commissioner to solicit aid from the national government, taking with him the American

6 Flores' views are indicated in several communications, especially in those of Nov. Ist, 2d, to Manuel Castro, in Doc. Hist. Cal., MS., iii. 270, 272-3.

332 THE FLORES REVOLUTION -- FIGHT AT SAN PASCUAL.

flag captured at San Pedro, and also a band of horses and mules. Before he started a party of Sonorans had set out with a much larger band of animals that had perhaps been stolen. At Warner's rancho Don Antonio heard of a party of Americans who had left San Diego to capture his horses; and it was probably his report that caused Andrés Pico to be sent to that region, as already related. On approaching the Colo- rado crossing, Coronel heard of an American force coming from the east, and also of the horse-thieves encamped in that region; which caused him to turn back, after sending Felipe Castillo to Sonora with his despatches; and he returned to Aguanga, near Teme- cula, to await further developments. Here he was surprised on December 3d, escaping capture, but los- ing his animals.7 Meanwhile Flores devised another scheme for obtaining supplies. Henry Dalton, an English merchant of Los Angeles, who had married a sister of Flores' wife, had a quantity of needed articles in stock, which he was willing to deliver in exchange for drafts on Mexico-of course at a good round price, as is customary in such contracts the world over, and as was justifiable enough in this in- stance, since Dalton assumed a great risk of losing the whole amount of the investment. In order to promote the payment of the drafts by exaggerating the achievements of the Californians, and at the same time to enhance the general's personal glory, it was proposed to send the Chino prisoners to Mexico. These prisoners were, however, men of considerable influence, several of them being married to natives. Through their friends, prominent among whom were William Workman and Ignacio Palomares, they made every effort to save themselves. Of course they took

Coronel, Cosas de Cal., MS., 104, etc. At the time of his surprise he had come down from his hiding-place in the sierra to meet couriers who failed to appear, and was drying his clothing in a house where he had eaten supper. Barefoot, and clad only in shirt and drawers, he escaped hy climbing a tree; and wandered for a long time in the mountains before he could obtain a horse. Popular tradition has given another explanation of his déshabillé, much more romantic, but probably less accurate than that given by himself.

333

RICO'S REVOLT.

advantage of the current prejudice of the Californian officers against Flores. Francisco Rico, lately re- turned from the north, became the nominal leader of the malecontents; and the most absurd charges were made against the governor, notably that he was pre- paring to run away to Sonora with the public funds ! How he was to pay the balance of his travelling expenses after exhausting the said funds does not appear.

During the night of December 3d Rico and his companions took possession of the cuartel, apparently without opposition; and placed Flores under arrest. His imprisonment lasted until the 5th. On that day the assembly in an extra session investigated the mat- ter. Flores admitted his previous plan of sending the prisoners to Mexico, which plan, however, he was willing to abandon. Not the slightest foundation could be adduced for the other charges; and accordingly the assembly denounced the movement as unjustifiable, and especially so at the present critical juncture. Alarming news from the south had arrived the night before; Carrillo and his fellow-conspirators deemed it best under the circumstances not to urge their cause; Palomares and Workman had effected their purpose, since Wilson and his men were to remain; and there- fore Flores was restored to power; the opposition to him was silenced temporarily though not eradicated; and Rico in his turn was made a prisoner.8

8 Dec. 5th, 7th, Flores to Cota and to Janssens, relating his arrest. Olvera, Doc., MS., 68-9, 71; Janssens, Doc., MS., 45-6. He thinks that the affair of the prisoners was only a pretext, and that Carrillo and the rest had been in- fluenced not only by the former's ambition, but had been bought with oro Americano to ruin their country, which he believes has had a very narrow escape. Dec. 5th, action of the assembly. Olvera, Doc., MS., 49-51; Pico, Doc., MS., ii. 109-10. Dec. 4th, Olvera wrote to Coronel, describing the af- fair. Coronel, Cosas de Cal., MS., 115. Narratives also in Wilson's Observ., MS., 82-5; Rico, Mem., MS., 30-5, whose version is that the assembly, com- posed mainly of Mexicans, would not listen to his well founded charges. Bo- tello, Anales, MS., 152-3; Dicc. Univ., viii. 159-60. Dec. 5th, Flores to Cota, mentioning Coronel's letter, in which he announced hostile operations of the Americans. Cota is ordered to do his best to recapture the horses and punislı the foe. If this be impossible, he is to reoccupy his former position. Olvera, Doc., MS., 69-70. Dec. 7th, Flores to Janssens. Cannot send a man, for the enemy is upon us. Consult with Jesus Pico, collect the greatest possible force and keep it ready. Janssens, Doc., MS., 45.

334 THE FLORES REVOLUTION-FIGHT AT SAN PASCUAL

The alarming news to which I have referred was Coronel's report that a party of Americans had cap- tured his animals near Ahuanga. Flores was greatly puzzled to account for the presence of the enemy in that quarter, since he could not understand how they had left San Diego and penetrated into the interior without being seen by the forces of either Pico or Cota. As a matter of fact, they had come not from San Di- ego, but from the opposite direction. They were the men from whom Stockton had received a letter on or about December 3d; and it is now time to explain their presence in California and to follow their move- ments.

Colonel Stephen W. Kearny, leaving Fort Leaven- worth at the end of June, 1846, occupied Santa Fé and accomplished the conquest of New Mexico in Au- gust, as related in another part of this work. Before he started on this expedition he received orders, dated at Washington, June 3d, to march across the conti- nent from Santa Fé and take possession of California. He was to cooperate with the naval forces, which would be found probably in possession of the ports; and having secured the country, he was to organize a temporary civil government. I append some ex- tracts from the instructions forwarded to Kearny at different dates.º They will prove of some importance

9 June 3, 1846, instructions of Sec. of War Marcy to Col. Kearny. 'It has been decided by the pres. to be of the greatest importance in the pend- ing war with Mex. to take the earliest possession of Upper Cal. An expedi- tion with that view is hereby ordered, and you are designated to command it. To enable you to be in sufficient force to conduct it successfully, this addi- tional force of 1,000 mounted men has been provided to follow you in the direction of Sta Fé. . . When you arrive at Sta Fe with the force already called, and shall have taken possession of it, you may find yourself in a con- dition to garrison it with a small part of your command, as the additional force will soon be at that place, and with the remainder press forward to Cal. . .. It is understood that a considerable number of American citizens are now set- tled on the Sacramento River, near Sutter's establishment, called New Hel- vetia, who are well disposed toward the U. S. Should you on your arrival find this to be the true state of things, you are anthorized to organize and re- ceive into the service of the U. S. such portions of these citizens as you may think useful to aid yon to hold possession of the country. You will in that case allow them, so far as you shall judge proper, to select their own officers. A large discretionary power is invested in you in regard to these matters, as

335

INSTRUCTIONS TO KEARNY.

in connection with later complications, besides show- ing the ideas of the government at Washington re- specting the future status of California. At about

well as to all others. . . The choice of routes by which you will enter Cal. will be left to your better knowledge, etc .. .. Though it is very desirable that the expedition should reach Cal. this season, ... yet you are left unembarrassed by any specific directions in this matter. It is expected that the naval forces of the U. S., which are now or soon will be in the Pacific, will be in posses- sion of all the towns on the sea-coast, and will cooperate with you in the con- quest of Cal. . .. Should you conquer and take possession of N. Mex. and Cal., or considerable places in either, you will establish temporary civil govern- ments therein, aholishing all arbitrary restrictions that may exist, so far as it may be done with safety. In performing this duty, it would be wise and prudent to continue in their employment all such of the existing officers as are known to be friendly to the U, S. and will take the oath of allegiance to them. . . You may assure the people of those provinces that it is the wish and design of the U. S. to provide for them a free govt, with the least possible delay, similar to that which exists in our territories .. . It is foreseen that what relates to civil govt will be a difficult and unpleasant part of your du- ties, and which must necessarily be left to your discretion ... The rank of brevet brigadier-general will be conferred ou you as soon as you commence your movement toward Cal.' Cal. and N. Mex., Mess. and Doc., 236-9. June 18th, 'Since my last letter it has been determined to send a small force round Cape Horn to Cal. . . Arrangements are now on foot to send a regiment of volunteers by sea. These troops, and such as may be organized in Cal., will be under your command.' June 5th, the proclamation sent you, in- tended for Gen. Taylor, to issue to the Mexicans, will not answer our pur- pose for Cal. Id., 239-40. Sept. 12th, volunteer regiment about to sail. "This force is to be a part of your command; but as it may reach its destina- tion before you, the colonel, J. D. Stevenson, has been furnished with instruc- tions for his conduct in the mean time. T send you a copy; also a copy of instructions to the commander of naval squadron, a copy of a letter to Gen. Taylor, etc., and a copy of general regulations relative to the respective rank of naval aud army officers. These, so far as applicable, will he looked upon in the light of instructions to yourself.' Id., 241-2. Dec. 10th, 'It is presumed that you will not find a state of things in Cal. requiring you to remain in that country, but that you will deem it proper to leave affairs there in charge of Col. Mason, recently sent out, and return to Sta Fé.' Jan. 11, 1847, 'It is proper to remark that the provisions of the law established for New Mexico go in some respects beyond the line designated by the presi- dent, and propose to coufer upon the people of the territory rights under the constitution of the U. S .; such rights can only be acquired by the ac- tion of congress .. . Under the law of nations the power conquering a terri- tory or country has a right to establish a civil govt within the same as a means of securing the conquest, and with a view of protecting the persons and property of the people, and it is not intended to limit you in the full exercise of this authority. Indeed, it is desired that you should exercise it in such a manner as to inspire confidence in the people that our power is to be firmly sustained in that country. The territory in our military occupation acquired from the enemy by our arms cannot be regarded, the war still con- tinuing, as permanently annexed to the U. S., though our authority to exer- cise civil government over it is not by that circumstance the least restricted.' Id., 244-5. Jan. 11th, extract of letter to Stockton, forwarded to Kcarny. On Nov. 5th you were informed that the pres. 'has deemed it best for the public interests to invest the military officer commanding with the direction of the operations on land, and with the administrative functions of govt over the people and territory occupied by us.' This was before the receipt of

336

THE FLORES REVOLUTION -- FIGHT AT SAN PASCUAL.

the time of Kearny's expedition, arrangements were made for the sending of several different bodies of troops to California; but as none of these accom- panied Kearny or reached their destination in 1846, it will be more convenient to defer an account of mili- tary preparations until I come to treat of results in the annals of 1847.

It was on September 25th that General Kearny-for his commission as general had already reached him- left Santa Fé with 300 of the 1st dragoons for Cali- fornia. The line of march was down the valley of the Rio Grande. Nothing of interest occurred until the army on October 6th reached a point some thirteen miles below Socorro. Here was met Kit Carson, with fifteen men, including six Delaware Indians, en route from Los Angeles to Washington with despatches from Stockton. Carson brought the news that the conquest of California had, at his departure in August, been already fully effected by Stockton and Frémont; that there was no longer the slightest opposition to the American rule; that Stockton was engaged in or- ganizing a civil government; and that Frémont was to be made governor.

This news caused the general to modify his plans, and to send back 200 of his 300 dragoons under Ma- jor Sumner to Santa Fé. He retained companies C and K, or 100 dragoons, under Captain Benjamin D. Moore, Lieutenant Thomas C. Hammond, and Lieu- tenant John W. Davidson. His staff consisted of Captain Henry S. Turner, acting assistant adjutant- general; Captain Abraham R. Johnston, aide-de- camp; Major Thomas Swords, quartermaster; Lieu- tenants William H. Emory and William H. Warner of

Stockton's despatches of Sept. 18th, 19th, which were received Dec. 26th. Then follows a general disquisition on the nature of military occupation. 'This right of possession, however, is temporary, unless made absolute by subsequent events,' coupled with a general approval of Stockton's acts, though 'at present it is needless, and might be injurious to the public in- terests to agitate the question in Cal. as to how long those persons who bave been elected for a prescribed period of time will have official authority.' The number of appointments should be made as small as possible. Id., 246-7.

337

KEARNY'S MARCH.

the topographical engineers, with a dozen assistants and servants; 10 and Assistant Surgeon John S. Griffin. Antonio Robidoux was the guide, and Carson became his associate. The latter was unwilling to turn back, desiring to deliver his despatches in person, and also to visit his family; but Kearny insisted and became responsible for the safe and speedy delivery of the papers. The whole force of officers and men was therefore 121. Two mountain howitzers were taken under the charge of Lieutenant Davidson. The men were mounted chiefly on mules; the luggage was car- ried at first in wagons, which were, however, soon abandoned in favor of pack-mules.

The 15th of October, in the region of Fra Cristóbal, they left the valley of the Rio Grande, and turned to the westward into the mountains, passing the old cop- per mines, and striking the upper Gila five days later, without adventures requiring mention.11 On Novem- ber 9th they emerged from the mountains into the valley of the lower Gila; and on the 22d reached the vicinity of the Colorado junction. The march had been a hard one; many animals had been lost, some eaten, and the rest were in bad condition; but there

10 Those named were J. M.Stanley, draughtsman; Norman Bestor, assistant; Jas Early, W. H. Peterson, Baptiste Perrot, Maurice Longdean, François Von Cœur, François Ménard, Jas Riley, Dabney Eustice, and Williams.

11 There are two diaries of the whole trip extant. The most complete is Emory's Notes of a Military Reconnaissance from Fort Leavenworth in Mis- souri to San Diego in California. Washington, 1848. Being 30th Cong. 1st Sess., H. Ex. Doc. 41, p. 55-126; the diary being from Sept. 25, 1846, to Jan. 20, 1847. The other is Dr Griffin's Journal of a trip with the First U. S. Dra- goons from New Mexico to California in 1846, MS. copy in the handwriting of Judge Hayes from the original. A part has been printed in the Los Angeles History. A third diary is Capt. Johnston's Journal printed with that of Emory, p. 567-614. It terminates on Dec. 4th, the author having been killed in battle by the Californians on the 6th. Lieut Cooke also gives a di- ary of the march down the Rio Grande; but he turned back to Sta Fé, and the rest of the journey is described from the journals of other officers. Cooke's Conquest of Cal., 68-86, 228-56. The expedition is briefly described in letters of Gen. Kearny of Dec. 12th, 13th. 30th Cong. 1st Sess., Sen. Ex. Doc. 1, 513- 16; still more briefly in Major Swords' report of Oct. 8, 1847. 30th Cong. 2d Sess., H. Ex. Doc., i. 226-8; and mentioned from the above sources in sev- eral govt documents. I have also a MS. Statement on San Pascual, by Asa M. Bowen, who was with this expedition; and Notes on S. Pascual, MS., by Wm H. Dunne. I might give a long list of accounts made up from the pre- ceding.

HIST. CAL., VOL. V. 22

338

THE FLORES REVOLUTION-FIGHT AT SAN PASCUAL.

had been no serious mishap or suffering. Here they found a small party with a band of 500 horses coming from California and bound for Sonora. These men gave alarming but contradictory reports of the revo- lution at Los Angeles; and a bearer of despatches was also captured, whose papers confirmed the news that a large portion of the country was in possession of the Californians, including the region through which they were to pass. The Americans obtained all the horses they desired; and though most in the band were un- broken, many of the dragoons succeeded in getting a fresh mount. There is a degree of mystery about the men who had the horses. They told all kinds of stories about themselves. Coronel says they were horse-thieves proceeding to Sonora with stolen ani- mals; possibly some of the rancheros had sent the horses to Sonora on speculation, thinking that if not sent out of the country they were sure to fall into the hands of either the native or American armies, or cer- tain Mexican officers may have been interested in the venture; but I think there was no foundation for the statement made by some of the men that the horses belonged to Flores or Castro.12

12 Emory says: 'Each gave a different account of the ownership and desti- nation of the horses. The chief of the party, a tall, venerable-looking man, represented himself to be a poor employé of several rich men engaged in sup- plying the Sonora market with horses. We subsequently learned that he was no less a personage than José María Leguna [Segura?], a colonel in the Mexican service.' Emory inplies that the Mexicans were kept in arrest for a while, and released, the animals being taken as contraband. He mentions a woman of the party to whom a child was born in camp. Johnston says: 'They lied so much that we could get but very little out of them,' though it appears their reports about affairs in Cal. were very nearly accurate. The letters being opened were resealed by Capt. Turner, and all returned to the man, who was discharged. These fellows tell various stories about the horses; they all acknowledge that a part of them belong to Gen. Castro. . . Nov. 24th, completed our trading with the Mexicans; Capt. Moore's men being in part remounted on wild horses, on which never man sat, they got of course many tumbles; but they stuck to the furious animals until they succeeded.' Dr Griffin says the horses, 20 in number, were bought at $12 each, or for $2 and a broken-down animal; and the Mexicans were surprised at being paid at all. Lugo, Vida de un Ranchero, MS., 50-1, says that Capt. Segura ran away to Sonora with a band of horses and other property; and that he and Diego Se- púlveda started in pursuit and went nearly to the Colorado. He says it was suspected that Segura acted in secret accord with Flores, who sent the funds in advance, intending to flee to Sonora himself soon. It is not unlikely that the

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History of California, Volume XXII, Part 35

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe Publication date: 1885-1890 Publisher: San Francisco, Calif. : The History Company, publishers Number of Pages: 816

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe
Publication date: 1885-1890
Publisher: San Francisco, Calif. : The History Company, publishers
Number of Pages: 816