History of California, Volume XXII, Part 40

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

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377

UNJUST CRITICISM.

With their vivid descriptions of hardships expe- rienced in crossing the Cuesta de Santa Inés many writers mingle sarcasm, ridicule, and blame, directed against Frémont for his choice of a route over the summit, instead of by the comparatively easy Gaviota pass. They accuse him not only of bad judgment and excessive timidity in his fear of hostilities along the way, but of having deliberately prolonged his march from the beginning to the end, with a view to avoid an encounter with the foe at Los Angeles. The charge of cowardice or lack of energy is an unjust one, though it may be clear to us, knowing the exact condition of affairs, that the trip over the mountains involved needless risks and hardships. But at the time, the strength of the Californians in men, horses, and weapons was grossly exaggerated; rumors of impend- ing attack were current at every point; and there were probably definite warnings of danger at the pass from persons whom the leader deemed trustworthy, making it seem important to take an unusual route, which but for the violent storm would have involved no very serious hardships. Unfavorable comment on Frémont's action in this matter, as on his achieve- ments as an explorer in earlier years, has sprung largely from the political prejudices of 1856. The average American cannot be trusted to testify fairly in the case of a political foe, being in that respect strik- ingly similar to the citizen of any other nation.

A final northern campaign of the war remains to be put on record before we return to the operations of Stockton, Kearny, and Fremont in the south. Could we credit all that has been written of this campaign, a long and somewhat interesting story might be told. Reduced to approximate limits of truth, the record is much less bulky and loses something of its fascination. While the organization and outfit of the battalion were in progress, Captain Weber took an active part in procuring horses for that force, and most of his

378

NATIVIDAD AND SANTA CLARA.

volunteer company joined Frémont under Thompson ; but Weber raised another company for the protection of San José and the adjoining region, since there was no lack of rumors respecting impending hostilities by bands of roving Californians. Lieutenant Pinkney, of the Savannah, with midshipmen Watmough and Griffin, and a company of 50 men or more, was also sent by Captain Mervine from Yerba Buena to garri- son the pueblo, while Weber was busy in obtaining horses for the battalion. Many immigrants came down from the Sacramento to Santa Clara, fortifying the ex-mission, and organizing a company of about 30 men, under Joseph Aram as captain, for the protection of their families and those of their companions who were absent with Frémont. Thus the garrisons at Monterey, San Francisco, San José, and Santa Clara were amply sufficient for protection. There was much difficulty in obtaining supplies of food; and Frémont's methods of plundering every rancho where cattle or other stores could be found were to a great extent those still employed.35

Throughout the preceding troubles many Califor- nians of the better class had remained quietly on their farms, submitting not cheerfully but without re- sistance to the exchange of their animals and other property for Fremont's receipts. Their patience, how- ever, had been sorely tried during the process by the outrageous acts of different irresponsible Americans, who carried on the work of plunder under a show of military authority but beyond the control of the bat- talion officers ; 36 and it was completely exhausted when

35 On the organization of Weber's, Pinkney's, and Aram's companies, see Hall's Hist. S. José, 155-7; Hecox, in Sta Cruz Times, July-Ang. 1870; Lan- cey's Cruise, 192. Nov. 26th, J. A. Forbes at Sta Clara certifies that in con- sequence of immigrants' fears of attack a wall is to be made in front of mission with only one entrance. Doña Silveria Pacheco rents her house for this pur- pose at $12 per month. S. José, Arch., Loose Pap., 57.

86 'They are a class of persons who have drifted over the mountains into the country from the borders of some of our western states. It is a prime feature in their policy to keep in advance of law and order, and to migrate as often as these trench on their irresponsible privileges. Their connection with our military operations here is a calamity that can only find a relief in

379

SANCHEZ CAPTURES BARTLETT.

it became evident that the depredations were to be continued after the departure of both armies. They were ready to resist if an opportunity should pre- sent itself. About the 8th of December as is gener- ally stated, but later I think, since the news did not reach Monterey till the 22d, Alcalde Bartlett with five men started down the peninsula from Yerba Buena on one of the usual raids for cattle-that is he went to 'purchase' supplies. Francisco Sanchez, who had a rancho in the San Mateo region, and who had lost his own horses and those of Howard and Mellus under his care at the hands of Weber, could not resist the temptation to retaliate. So with a small party he waylaid Bartlett and his companions, making them prisoners and carrying them to a camp in the hills. It is not probable that there had been any formal organization or plan before, but now reën- forcements came in from different quarters until San- chez had perhaps 100 men. Some were impelled by exasperation at past losses; others by fear of vicari- ous punishment for Sanchez's act; and there was prob- ably a party of some 20 men who had been recruited by Torre, Espinosa, and Mota for Castro's army but had not joined that force, and had been ranging about the country secretly since the fight at Natividad, joined perhaps by a few members of the dispersed army.87 The plan, so far as any plan was formed, was to utilize the prisoners, with such other advantages as they might gain, to exact from the Americans a treaty to protect their property and put an end to depredations.33 No acts of hostility were committed.

the exigencies of war. .. The principal sufferers are men who have remained quietly on their farms, and whom we are bound in honor as well as sound policy to protect. To permit such men to be plundered under the filched authority of our flag is a national reproach.' Colton's Three Years, 155.

37 Estévan de la Torre, Remin., MS., gives some details, but he does not state that the men of his party joined Sanchez, or indeed give any informa- tion about this affair.

38 Colton describes them as with few exceptions 'men of the better stamp, men who had a permanent interest in the soil, and had refused to join the rash spirits of the south.' They stated . that they had taken up arms not to make war on the American flag, but to protect themselves from the depredations

380

NATIVIDAD AND SANTA CLARA.

In the eyes of the Americans this act of Sanchez was the outbreak of a new rebellion, in which the Cal- ifornians took advantage of Frémont's departure to rise, 200 strong, for the purpose of committing out- rages on the unprotected immigrants. 39 As soon as proper steps for defence could be taken, but somewhat tardily it would appear if Bartlett was captured on the 8th, Captain Weber marched from San Jose with 33 men on the 25th to attack the foe; but changed his mind and went to San Francisco for orders and re- enforcements. Sanchez is said to have taken advan- tage of Weber's absence to approach San José the next day, hoping to find the pueblo unprotected, but to have retired on finding Pinkney and his garrison pre- pared to fight.40 Meanwhile, a force was fitted out and despatched on the 29th by Commandant Hull, who had succeeded Montgomery at San Francisco. This force of about 100, including Weber's company, was commanded by Captain Ward Marston of the ma- rines. 41 The march was down the peninsula, delayed

of those who under color of that flag were plundering them, . . . and that on assurance being given that these acts of lawless violence should cease, they were ready to return quietly to their homes.' Three Years, 152.

89 For instance, Hecox, Sta Cruz Times, July 23, 1870, talks of Sanchez's men as raiding through the county, capturing Bartlett, and then turning their attention to Sta Clara in hopes to make short work of the men and 'appro- priate the women to their own use'!

40 Hall, Hist. S. José, 157 et seq., followed by others, speaks of a warning sent to Pinkney by Sanchez, but I doubt that there was any correspondence at all. The same writers say that Forbes went to the Californian camp to negotiate for a release of the prisoners. Sanchez put Bartlett in Forbes' keeping for several days, and offered to give up all the captives in exchange for Weber; but the authorities at S. F. being consulted refused to consent to any such arrangement. I do not believe that any such proposition was made, and I think it most likely that Forbes' visit and the partial release of Bartlett were later occurrences. See note 45. In S. José Pioneer, March 6th, it is stated that Pinkney was sent down to take Weber's place at this time, and it may be true that P. had previously retired and now returned; as this would explain the approach of Sanchez. Hall represents Bartlett as having cried like a child when sent back to the Californians, expecting to be killed!

4] According to list in Monterey Californian, Feb. 6, 1847, followed by Bry- ant, Hall, Lancey, and also in S. F. Pacific News, Dec. 12, 1850, from Civil, Lit. and Naval Gazette, the force was made up as follows: Capt. Ward Mars- ton, with Asst Surgeon J. (or Marius) Duval as aid; 34 marines under Lieut Robert Tansill; 10 seamen with a field-piece under Master Wm F. Delong (D. Gough or de Longh or De Jongh) assisted by Midshipman John Kell; John Pray as interpreter; 33 mounted San José volunteers under Captain Chas M. Weber, with lieutenants John Murphy and John Reed; and 12 mounted

381

BATTLE OF SANTA CLARA.

somewhat as it appears by the quality and quantity of aguardiente found at one of the halting-places; and on January 2d the enemy was seen on the Santa Clara plain. As the Americans advanced along the road, the Californians on horseback hovered about them on front and flanks at a safe distance, Marston firing grape from his field-piece and Sanchez replying apparently with a few musket-shots.42 Thus the two forces slowly ap- proached Santa Clara, being in sight of each other for several hours. Either at the beginning or at some later point of the advance the gun and part of Mars- ton's force seem to have become mired in crossing a marshy spot, and Sanchez made a 'charge;' that is, his men came for a few minutes within gunshot, and slightly wounded two of the Americans,13 but retired as soon as the cannon was again in condition to be used. As they drew near to the mission, perhaps Captain Aram came out to aid Marston; at any rate, the Californians disappeared from sight, going toward the Santa Cruz mountains. The Americans, making no attempt to pursue the foe, repaired to the mission, and the 'battle of Santa Clara' was at an end. It has generally been described, though with many curious complications of detail, as a sharp engagement of sev- eral hours, in which Marston's gallant band attacked the enemy in a strong position, broke their line, drove them back inch by inch under a constant shower of bullets, and finally caused them to flee with four or five men killed and as many wounded, so demoralized that there was nothing left for them but unconditional surrender! No Californian was hurt; and evidently Sanchez had no intention of risking a fight, unless by

Yerba Buena volunteers under Capt. W. M. Smith and Lieut John Rose, in- cluding a few men under Captain Julius Martin-or 101 men in all. Jan. 9th, Richardson to Fitch. Mentions Bartlett's capture and the departure of Mars- ton's force. Fitch, Doc., MS., 411.

42 The Californians are said to have had a field-piece given up later; but it is not stated that it was used.

43 One of Weber's men and a marine from the Dale. Lancey names them as Jacksou Bennett and Robert Heeney.' I. M. Baker assures me that he saw the men wounded.

382

NATIVIDAD AND SANTA CLARA.

good fortune the marines might be tempted into a pursuit resulting in a hand-to-hand conflict on horse- back."

In the evening a messenger came in from Sanchez with a flag of truce, doubtless to explain the griev- ances which had driven his countrymen to arms, and to offer submission on condition that the United States officers would guarantee protection of property ; and an armistice was agreed upon until a reply could be obtained from San Francisco. 45 Next day, the 3d,

#4 The earliest account in the Monterey Californian, Jan. 16, 1847, men- tioned no fight, but says that Weber was driveu into Sta Clara by the Cali- fornians, the leaders met under a flag of truce, and the Californians agreed to disperse under proper guaranties. In the next accounts, Id., Feb. 6, 1847; Bryant, 415-16, there had been an hour's fight, 2 Amer. wounded, Cal. losing a horse, and 'probably' some men killed and wounded; but the Cal. were able to escape, having superior horses. In the S. F. Cal. Star, Jan. 9, 1847, is a report that Marstou had captured the whole party of Cal. and ended the war. In Id., Jan. 23d, the version is that the enemy had retired from their 'fortifications' near S. F., on Marston's approach, and retreated to near Sta Clara, where they made a stand; but the cannon in a few hours brought out a flag of truce, leading to a satisfactory settlement and full par- don of all. In Id., Feb. 6th, the battle is described as in Californian and a list of officers is given ; but after this was put in type it was learned that 4 C'al. had been killed and 5 badly wounded ! In the Annapolis Civil, Lit. and Naval Guzette of 1850, or carlier, appeared an elaborate account of the battle, and especially of the evolutions of Marston's forces, from the journal of an officer. I have no doubt this account is correct enough, except in the impli- cation that the enemy were within gunshot and defeated by the said evolu- tions. This writer also says the Cal. had 5 killed and 'a considerable number' wounded. Hall and Lancey are guided by the accounts mentioned, but are somewhat careful not to commit themselves as to the bloodshed. It must be admitted that only the long distance between the combatants pre- vented an exciting affair. The S. José Pioneer of Mar. 6, 1880, on Weber's authority, represents W. as having been the prominent man of the affair, and as having by his generalship saved the army from defeat when involved in the mustard growth at the creek crossing and charged by Sanchez at full gallop. The battle 'was of short duration, about 2 hours, for experience has shown that Mexican valor is unequal to American pluck, and Sanchez, the last revolutionist of the period, was obliged to capitulate to Capt. Weber, the man of all men whom he mnost desired as a prisoner.' Hecox, Sta Cruz Times, notes that the immigrants crept out through the mustard to at- tack the Californians in the rear, putting them to flight. Eight Cal. were killed ! Miguel Flores, Recuerdos, MS., 16-21, gives a confused account of the fight, Secundino Robles, Relacion, MS., 15-25, gives a detailed narra- tive, which is pure fiction from beginning to end. Heury Marshall, Statement, MS., 3-4, narrates the affair briefly but with tolerable accuracy. See also Ryan's Judyes and Criminals, chap. xvi .; Hyde's Statement, MS., 9; Cooke's Cong., 276; Davis' Glimpses, MS., 356; Tinkham's Hist. Stockton, 105; and the different county histories.

45 Lancey speaks of an offer by Sauchez to surrender on certain conditions, a reply that it must be unconditional, an assurance from S. that he would die first, etc. It was during the term of this truce, I think, that Forbes took a prominent part in negotiations; and then, if at all, that Bartlett was intrusted temporarily to his care, and not earlier, as Hall has it. See note 40.

383

SURRENDER OF SANCHEZ.

Captain Maddox arrived with his company of 50 men or more. News of his approach came through San- chez, and an officer was sent to meet him, make known the truce, and prevent an attack by his men, who were eager for the fray-so eager that they had only taken ten days to come from Monterey!" Two days later a reply came from the commandant at San Francisco, probably to the effect that the surrender must be nom- inally unconditional, but with unofficial assurances, con- firmed by prominent citizens, that property should be no longer seized without the proper formalities and receipts.47 On the 7th arrived Lieutenant Grayson with 15 men from the north to join Maddox;# and on the 8th the treaty was concluded, Sanchez giving up his prisoners and arms, and his men retiring qui- etly to their farms. Marston and his men returned to Yerba Buena to receive congratulations from Cap- tain Mervine for their valor and success. The war in the north was at an end.49

46 Maddox left Monterey Dec. 22d or 23d. Colton's Three Years, 128; Mont. Californian, Dec. 26, 1847. I do not mean to imply that M. and his men were timid and did not come as fast as was necessary; but simply to expose the absurdity of current accounts about the difficulty of restraining the force from attacking Sanchez.

47 According to Colton and the Californian, Sanchez and his companions protested that they had no intention of fighting against the U. S., but only desired to protect themselves from lawless depredations; and their terms were acceded to.

48 Boggs, in Napa Register, Mar. 30, Apr. 20, 1872, was one of these men, recruited by himself, Grayson, and Martin in the Sonoma region. After exciting adventures in crossing the bay they reached S. F. after Marston's de- parture, and even after the fight of the 2d. They were sent down by water to the Sta Clara landing, stole round the hostile camp, joined Maddox, and charged into the midst of the Californians! Then they learned that there was a truce to terminate at 9 o'clock next morning. At that hour they charged again (!), but were met by Bartlett with news of his release. Maddox sent him back with an order to surrender in 10 minutes, and Sauchez obeyed. B. took from Sanchez' men as many horses as were needed, and then marched with Maddox for San Jose, and soon to Monterey via Sta Cruz. B. gives many details, the value of which may be estimated from the fact that one of their exploits on this march was the arrest of Gen. Castro at Sta Cruz!

49 Jan. 12th, Mervine to the army. 'It is a novel instance in the history of Cal. that her unrivalled cavalry were obliged to surrender and lay down their arms in consequence of being so effectually entrapped as to deprive them of their usual alternative, and render escape impossible'! Special thanks to the volunteers and Capt. Smith, who on 13th replies: 'Our watchword is in- scribed upon our banner, and we trust that you will find us semper paratus.' Mont. Calif., Feb. 6, 1847. Lancey says that Sanchez was detained for a while on the Savannah.

384

NATIVIDAD AND SANTA CLARA.

A sad event in northern annals of 1846, which may as well be recorded here as elsewhere, was the loss of the Warren's launch and twelve men, including two sons of Captain Montgomery-William H., acting master of the Warren, and John E., his father's secre- tary-with Midshipman Daniel C. Hugenin.50 The boat was despatched late in November or early in December from Yerba Buena to New Helvetia, the officers having some business to transact with Captain Kern, and perhaps carrying $900 with which to pay off the garrison. They never arrived at Sutter's, and after several weeks Robert Ridley was sent in another launch up the Sacramento and San Joaquin, finding no traces of boat or crew. Ridley's opinion was that they had been lost in a gale shortly after setting out; and this became the prevalent theory among men ac- quainted with the circumstances, though there were those who thought the officers had been murdered by the crew, or that possibly all had been killed by the Indians. The question whether young Montgomery was alive or dead figured in later litigation respecting certain lands in San Francisco.51 In later years a report became eurrent in the newspapers that one of the missing men, apparently Ladd, had been seen in New York, and confessed that his companions mur- dered the officers, destroyed the boat, and fled with the money, some of them perhaps joining the Indians. 52

50 The sailors of the crew were: Geo. Rodman, Anthony Sylvester, Alex. McDonald, Sam. Turner, Sam. Lane, Milton Ladd, John W. Dawd, Gilman Hilton, and Lawton Lee.

51 Mont. Californian, Jan. 23, 1847; S. F. Cul. Stur, Jan. 23, 1847; Davis' Glimpses, MS., 352; Honolulu Polynesian, iv. 51; and inaccurate mention in Sherman's Mem., i. 35. See also Cal. Repts, 1 Sawyer, 668-9.

52 A correspondent of the S. F. Bulletin, June 17, 1869, claims to have met an early Californian who met one of the party in New York and hcard his story. A 'Pioneer,' in Id., June 22d, says that in 1857 or 1858 he met a miner-still living in 1869-who pointed out a man as one of the murderers, and gave details of his having with a companion worked at various ranchos, one of the two being hanged after the gold discovery at Hangtown. This story is repeated in other papers. Wm T. Wheeler, Loss of the ' Warren,' MS., a boy on the Warren in 1846, and well acquainted with Ladd and Turner, is strong in the belief that the officers were murdered. He cites some mysterious acts and words of his chum Turner at parting; and he thinks in case of wreck some part of the boat or the water-cask would surely have come to light.

CHAPTER XV.

THE CONQUEST COMPLETED BY STOCKTON AND FREMONT.

JANUARY, 1847.

STOCKTON'S' ARMY-THE ADVANCE FROM SAN BERNARDO TO LOS COYOTES- PROPOSITIONS FROM FLORES-A PROCLAMATION -SAND-STORM -- FORS- TER'S SERVICES-CHANGE OF ROUTE TO AVOID AMBUSH-PREPARATIONS OF THE CALIFORNIANS-FROM LA JABONERÍA TO PASO DE BARTOLO-THE BATTLE OF THE SAN GABRIEL-STOCKTON'S REPORT-DEFEAT OF THE CALIFORNIANS-FIGHT OF THE MESA-ENTRY INTO LOS ANGELES -FRE- MONT'S MARCH FROM SANTA BARBARA TO SAN FERNANDO -- THE C'ALIFOR- NIANS AT LOS VERDUGOS-EFFORTS OF JESUS PICO-FLORES TRANSFERS COMMAND TO ANDRÉS PICO-ARMISTICE-TREATY OF CAIUENGA-THE WAR AT AN END-FREMONT AT ANGELES-FLIGHT OF FLORES AND MA- NUEL CASTRO TO SONORA.

WE left Stockton and his army of about 600 men encamped at San Bernardo on December 31, 1846. They had left San Diego two days before for an ad- vance on Los Angeles. The composition of the force is given in the appended note.1 Only Gillespie's vol-

1 Commodore Robert F. Stockton, U. S. N., commander-in-chief. Gen. Stephen W. Kearny, in command of the division. Lieut Stephen C. Rowan, U. S. N., of Cyane, major. Capt. Wmn H. Emory, U. S. top. engineers, acting ad- jutant general. Lieut Geo. Minor, U. S. N., of Savannah, quartermaster, as- sisted by Daniel Fisher. Purser Wm Speiden, of Congress, commissary, as- sisted by John Bidwell (capt. of volunteers). John Southwick, carpenter of Congress, chief engineer in com. of sappers and miners. Doctors John S. Griffin, U. S. A., Andrew A. Henderson, of Portsmouth, and Chas Eversfield, of Congress, surgeons. Capt. Miguel Pedrorena, of Cal. battalion, and Lient Andrew F. V. Gray, U. S. N., aides-de-camp of commander-in-chief.

Ist division, or battalion, commanded by Capt. J. Zielin : Zielin's marines, Co. C, musketeers of Portsmouth, Capt. Benj. F. B. Hunter, acting lieut U. S. N .; Lient Ed. C. Grafton, midshipman U. S. N. Co. F, carbineers, Capt. James M. Duncan, passed mid .; Lieut Joseph Parrish, mid. Co. E, car- bineers of Cyane, Capt. J. Fenwick Stenson, passed mid .; Lieut Edmund Shepherd, mid. Co. G, carbineers of Congress, Capt. John Reed (Peet or Peco), sailmaker.

2d battalion, commanded by Capt. Henry S. Turner : Companies C and HIST. C'AL., VOL. V. 25

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386

THE CONQUEST COMPLETED.

unteer riflemen were mounted; and the luggage was carried in ten ox-carts. Horses and oxen in small numbers, as well as small food supplies, were obtained at several points along the route. Says Stockton : "Our men were badly clothed, and their shoes gen- erally made by themselves out of canvas. It was very cold and the roads heavy. Our animals were all poor and weak, some of them giving out daily, which gave much hard work to the men in dragging the heavy carts, loaded with ammunition and provi- sions, through deep sands and up steep ascents, and the prospect before us was far from being that which we might have desired; but nothing could break down the fine spirits of those under my command, or cool their readiness and ardor to perform their duty; and they went through the whole march of one hundred and forty-five miles with alacrity and cheerfulness."2 Leaving San Bernardo the Ist of January, 1847, they encamped successively at Buena- vista, San Luis Rey, and Las Flores, in their unevent- ful progress.3 Reports came in that Frémont was

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History of California, Volume XXII, Part 40

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