History of California, Volume XXII, Part 42

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

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Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

395

BATTLE OF THE MESA.

The sailors and marines, like the dragoons and volun- teers, behaved admirably, and displayed all the bravery required by circumstances, losing two men killed and eight wounded. The Californian loss was probably the same in killed, but the exact number wounded is not known. Each party as usual greatly overrated the enemy's loss.

The Americans encamped near the original position of Flores' right wing, and are said to have been aroused by firing on the pickets at midnight; but no further liostilities were committed. The Californians at night- fall were in sight on the hills, but in the morning had disappeared. Many of them dispersed, and the rest repaired to the Cañada de los Alisos, not far from the main road to town. Here, ashamed to run away and give up the struggle, they posted themselves in a fa- vorable position and awaited the enemy's approach. At about 9 o'clock in the morning of January 9th Stockton resumed his march for Los Angeles; but instead of following the road he turned to the left into the open plain as soon as he became aware of Flores' position, apparently just before noon. The Califor- nians, however, approached and fired their cannon and the Americans replied. This artillery duel at long range continued for several hours as the army advanced at oxen's pace in a compact square over the plain, with some slight loss, chiefly of animals, on both sides. On one or two occasions the cavalry charged upon the square, coming within a hundred yards or less, but did not succeed in breaking it, and were repulsed by the musketry. Flores lost one man killed, and an unknown number wounded; Stockton, five wounded.12

12 The Americans killed on the Sth were: Fred Stearns (or Strauss), seaman of Portsmouth, Thos Smith, seaman of Cyane (accidental), and Jacob Haight (or Hait), volunteer (died 9th); Stockton in his report says one was killed on the 9th, but perhaps refers to Haight, who died on that day. Wounded on the 8th, Wm Cope (or Coxe), seaman of Savannah (severely), Geo. Bantam, of Cyane (accidental), Pat. Campbell, of Cyane, Wm Scott, marine of Portsmouth, Joseph Wilson, of Congress, Ivory Coffin, of Savannah, and James Hently, of Congress; on the 9th, Mark A. Child, Co. C dragoons (severe), James Camp- bell, seaman Congress (accidental and severe), Geo. Crawford, boatswain's mate Cyane (severe), Lieut Rowan and Capt. Gillespie, slightly contused by

396

THE CONQUEST COMPLETED.

About 4 o'clock the Californians retired, and the 'bat- tle of the Mesa' was at an end. Respecting particu- lars there is no agreement, and I do not deem it nec- essary to reproduce all the versions or to notice the various inaccuracies and exaggerations of each witness. Stockton crossed the Los Angeles River and encamped on the right bank about three miles below the town.1.1

Next morning, the 10th of January, a flag of truce was brought to Stockton's camp by Celis, Avila, and Workman, who came to intercede in behalf of the Angelinos. They said that no resistance would be made to the Americans, and were promised kind treat-

spent balls. Dr Eversfield's report in Griffin's Papers, MS., 18-19; reports of Griffin and Emory in Stockton's Mil. and Nav. Op., 36-7; Id., Life, appen., 16-17. Thus the total was three killed and 12 wounded, though generally stated as 1 killed and 14 wounded. This is the statement in 31st Cong. Ist Sess., HI. Ex. Doc. 24, p. 18, where it is said that the man killed was an officer. Stockton himself says 3 killed and 14 wounded.

The Californians lost 3 killed in both fights: Ignacio Sepúlveda, Francisco Rubio, and a Yagni Indian known as 'El Guaymeno.' The only wounded men named are Capt. Jnan B. Moreno and Alférez Ramirez; but there may have been a dozen more slightly wounded. Avila says only 2 were wounded at the Mesa. In his report Stockton says the loss was between 70 and 80, besides many horses. In Stockton's Life, 147, it is stated that over 70 were killed and 150 wounded!

13 See Stockton, Griffin, Emory, Coronel, Botello, Avila, and other anthori- ties as cited in preceding notes. Coronel notes the exploits of a boy of 12 years, named Pollorena, who captured a horse and saddle from the Ameri- cans, being uninjured by the many shots sent after him. A scrap in hand- writing of José Castro, in Doc. Ilist. C'al., i. 523, says: 'Mr Flores on this occasion hid himself in a little thicket of alders, and this was the only occa- sion when he saw the enemy.' Griffin tells us that in the morning of Jan. 9th Soto arrived with a flag of truce, reporting Fremont's arrival at S. Fernando, and two U. S. vessels at Sta Barbara. Gen. Kearny gives a brief account of the campaign in his report of Jan. 12th. 30th Cong. 1st Sess., Sen. Ex. 1, p. 516-17. Emory gives a sketch also of the Mesa battle-field; and I have also the 2 plans on a larger scale from other govt documents. Gillespie, in the S. F. Alta, July 3, 1866, has something to say of what was accomplished by his 'Sutter' gun, which at La Mesa, at one discharge, took 9 of the enemy from their saddles! The earliest printed account of the campaign, and a very good one, was that in the Mont. Californian, Jan. 28, 1847; often re- printed in other newspapers. See also S. F. Cal. Star, Jan. 16, Feb. 13, 1847: Valdés, Mem., MS., 32-4; Alvarado, Hist. C'al., MS., v. 268-70; Daris' Glimpses, MS., 321, 360-78; Fernandez, Dor., MS., 60-1; Vallejo, Doc., MS., xxxiv. 254: i. 22; Julio César, Cosas, MS., 10; Bowen's San Pas- ewal, MS., 33; Cutts' ('onq., 129-31, 201-6; Bryant's What I Saw, 398-400; ('ooke's Conq., 263-9; Phelps' Fore and Aft, 311-19; Tuthill's Hist. Cal., 197-200; Ripley's War, i. 482-5; Quigley's Irish Race, 227-9; Frignet, Cal., 77; Brooks' Hist., 257-9; Capron's Hist., 41-2; Diec. Univ., viii. 160; Lan. cey's Cruise, 170-89; Yolo C'o. Ilist., 21; Hayes' Scraps, Cal. Notes, iii. 33, 36; Ind., v. 236; Sarramento Union, Apr. 27, 1855; S. F. Alta, Jan. 9, 1853.

397

LOS ANGELES RETAKEN.

ment and protection for the citizens.14 At 10 A. M., or a little later, the army broke camp and advanced slowly up the river. Notwithstanding the assurances just received, it was deemed wise to neglect no precau- tion, and the advance was in military order as if to meet a foe. About noon the troops entered the city by the principal street, directing their mareh to the plaza with flying colors and band playing. Many families had retired to the ranchos or San Gabriel; small parties of Flores' horsemen, perhaps, disap- peared from view as the Americans entered; but the hill was covered with curious spectators of the pag- eant. A few reckless and drunken fellows indulged in threatening and insulting acts, and were fired on by some of the sailors; but otherwise there was no oppo- sition to the entry.15 A strong detachment with artil- lery was posted on the hill; Gillespie raised over his old quarters the flag he had been obliged to lower four months ago; and the Californian capital was once more in possession of the invaders. On the 11th Stockton, as governor and commander-in-chief, issued an order

14 Ávila, Notas, MS., 30-1, 35-6; also mentioned by others. Ávila says they were sent by Flores, which may or may not be accurate. Their visit was about 9 o'clock.

15 Griffin tells us that one of these fellows struck down another and at- tempted to lance him, which act brought out a ery of 'Shoot the damned rascal,' and a volley from the sailors which did no harm. Kearny swore at the men first for firing without orders, and then for not shooting better. Stoekton merely says their progress was 'slightly molested by a few drunken fellows who remained about the town.' But Emory makes a much more seri- ous matter of it. He says: 'The streets were full of desperate and drunken fellows, who brandished their arms and saluted us with every term of reproach. The erest overlooking the town in rifle-range was covered with horsemen en-

gaged in the same hospitable manner. One of them had on a dragoon's coat stolen from the dead body of one of our soldiers after we had buried him at San Pasqual. (Griffin also mentions this.) Our men marebed steadily on until crossing the ravine leading into the public square, when a fight took place among the Californians on the hill: one became disarmed, and to avoid death rolled down the hill toward us, his adversary pursuing and lancing him in the most cold-blooded manner. The man tumbling down the hill was supposed to be one of our vaqueros, aud the ery of "Rescue him" was raised. The crew of the Cyane, nearest the scene, at once and without orders halted and gave the man laneing him a volley. Strange to say, he did not fall. Almost at the same instant, but a little before it, the Californians from the hill did fire on the vaqueros. The rifles were then ordered to clear the hill, which a single fire effected, killing two of the enemy.' I have no doubt this is fiction.

398

THE CONQUEST COMPLETED.

of congratulation to the "officers and men of the southern division of U. S. forces in California, on the brilliant victories obtained by them over the enemy, and on once more taking possession of the ciudad de Los Angeles."16

There was no further disturbance in town, except such as was naturally caused by the effects of Califor- nia wine on the sailor-soldiers. Families gradually returned to their homes on assurance of protection from the new authorities, and for several days the chief excitement arose from speculations and rumors respecting the whereabouts of Flores and Fremont. It was reported that the latter had run away to So- nora; but also at first that he had gone to attack the battalion; and later that it was pardon not battle that the remnants of the force sought at San Fer- nando. From San Luis on the 3d Stockton had de- spatched a messenger to Frémont by way of San Diego and Santa Barbara; and on the 9th, before the fight, a courier had come into camp with news that Fremont was at or near San Fernando. In the after- noon of the 10th General Kearny sent a letter to the colonel, announcing the occupation of Angeles and asking for information respecting his position and needs. It rained in torrents all day the 11th, but Lieutenant Emory made some progress in planning fortifications, also obtaining from Griffin an official statement of casualties which he reported to Stockton, while the latter, in addition to his congratulatory or- dler already cited, found time to write a brief report to Secretary Bancroft on recent happenings, in which he said: "We have rescued the country from the

16 Stockton's Mil. and Nav. Op., 20; Id., Life, appen., 9. 'The steady conr- age of the troops in forcing their passage across the Rio San Gabriel, where officers and men were alike employed in dragging the guns through the water, against the galling fire of the enemy, withont exchanging a shot, and their gallant charge up the banks against the enemy's cavalry, has perhaps never been surpassed; and the cool determination with which in the battle of the 9th they repulsed the charge of cavalry, made by the enemy at the same time on their front and rear, has extorted the admiration of the enemy, and de- serves the best thanks of their countrymen.'

399

FREMONT'S ARRIVAL.

hands of the insurgents, but I fear that the absence of Colonel Fremont's battalion will enable most of the Mexican officers who have broken their parole to es- cape to Sonora." Emory broke ground for his forti- fications on the 12th; while Kearny sent another note to Fremont, and also wrote a brief report of the cam- paign addressed to the adjutant general. In the morning of the 13th an armistice, signed the day be- fore and perhaps received by Stockton the preceding evening, was given by the latter to Kearny, who wrote two more notes at noon and 2 P. M. to Frémont; and also wrote to Stockton, expressing his fear that the riflemen, in ignorance of what had occurred at Angeles, might be embarrassed in their movements, or that Fremont might capitulate and retire to the north. He offered to take half the force and march to effect a junction. Ine commodore's reply is not known, but, perhaps before a decision could be made, Russell arrived with definite news from Frémont in a letter for Kearny. On the 14th Fremont himself appeared with his battalion; and the same day both Kearny and Stockton reported his arrival to the gov- ernment at Washington.17

Frémont and his battalion, after a week of rest, marched from Santa Barbara the 3d of January, prob- ably informed, though I find no definite record on the subject, of Stockton's proposed advance. An addi- tional cannon was obtained from the prize schooner Julia, which vessel also went to render aid in case an

17 All the communications referred to may be found in Fremont's Court- martial, 6-7, 73-4, 85, 88, 108-9, 162, 243-4, 272, 400, 403-4; Stockton's Life, appen., 8-9, 16-17, 35, 46; Id., Mil. and Nar. Op., 20, 36-7; 30th Cong. 1st Sess., Sen. Ex. Doc. 1, p. 516-17; Griffin's Diary, MIS .; and Emory's Notes, 122. Most of the correspondence has been often repeated in other publica- tions which it is not necessary to name. I have in Olvera, Doc., MS., 77, one of the documents issued by Stockton to the people. It permits Agustin Olvera and Narciso Botello to come to Angeles withont molestation, dated Jan. 12th. This was doubtless an attempt to bring into his presence the mem- bers of the old assembly, who might make some kind of a surrender by virtue of their legal authority. It appears from Botello's narrative and from Los Angeles Hist., 16-17, that none of the ex-legislators were induced to present themselves.

THE CONQUEST COMPLETED.

attack should be made at the Rincon pass; but no foe was seen until they arrived at San Buenaventura on the 5th. Here a small party of Californians appeared at a distance, but ran away at the approach of the riflemen and the discharge of two cannon. As a pre- caution, a detachment was sent to occupy a hill about a mile from the mission during the night. As they advanced next day up the valley of the Santa Clara, in the face of a dust-laden gale, the enemy again ap- peared, 60 or 70 strong, and remained in sight for some time, entertaining the Americans with a variety of equestrian antics, but always at a safe distance. The Indian scouts under Tom Hill rode towards the Californians and exchanged a few harmless shots with them; and once an attempt was made by the battalion to cross a spur of the hills with a view of attacking an imaginary foe on the flank; but the route was found to be impracticable, and the army wisely returned to their plodding way up the valley. Each day small parties of Californian scouts were seen on the hills, but there were no hostilities. The 8th brought a renewal of the sand-storm. Supplies for man and beast were plentiful at the ranchos, and the horses were daily gaining in strength. I follow Bryant's journal, additional details from other sources being either hopelessly contradictory or obviously erroneous. The Californians give some unimportant particulars of their movements in the hills. 18

18 Bryant's What I Saw, 386 et seq .; Fremont's Geog. Mem., 42; Nidceer's Life, MS., 132-5; Lancey's ('ruise, 181-8; Tuthill's Hist. Cal., 203-5; MMar- tin's Narr., MS., 38-40; S. F. Alta, Dec. 18, 1852. Fremont, Court-martial, 379, says: 'A corps of observation, of some 30 or 100 horsemen, galloped about us, without doing or receiving harm, for it did not come within my policy to have any of them killed'! Arnaz, Recuerdos, MS., 89-91, says he was arrested by Fremont at S. Buenaventura, and threatened with death if he did not reveal the whereabouts of the priest, Jose M. Rosales. José E. García, Episodios, MS., 18-23, was one of the scouts under Jose Carrillo's command, and gives a description of events. He says his party was joined at Sanchez's rancho by a force from S. Buenaventura under Raimundo Car- rillo and Demesio Dominguez; and he speaks of a plan to surprise the Ameri- cans at Carrillo's rancho, which failed by the accidental discharge of a musket. Foster wrote for the Los Angeles Express an account of a blunderbuss and cutlass which were among the trophies of Fremont's campaign, copied in S. José Pioneer, Feb. 16, 1878.

401

MARCH OF THE BATTALION.

Frémont has been criticised unfavorably and with- out much justice for the slowness of his march by the same men who have found fault with his crossing of the Cuesta de Santa Inés. His delay is ascribed to a desire to keep out of danger until others should have defeated the foe. If, however, he knew from the first, as he certainly did at the last, what were Stockton's plans, his movements were well timed, since he arrived at San Fernando the day after Stock- ton entered Los Angeles. If he was ignorant of those plans, there was no possible motive for haste, and every reason to advance slowly and cautiously in compact order. His horses were weak; his troops as horsemen were without skill or discipline; he had Natividad in mind; and he had heard of San Pascual. Had he rushed forward, as his opponents of later years pretend to think he should have done, he would have given the enemy their only possible chance of success; and had the Californians been half as numer- ous and well prepared as they were believed to be, the result would have been most disastrous to the battalion. In the morning of the 9th a messenger came into camp with a letter from Stockton, dated at San Luis Rey on the 3d-an explanation of the com- modore's movements and plans, and a warning to pro- ceed with great caution.19 As they entered the San

19 ' My dear colonel: We arrived here last night from S. Diego, and leave to-day on our march for the City of the Angels, where I hope to be in 5 or 6 days. I learn this morning that you are at Sta Barbara, and send this despatch by way of S. Diego, in the hope that it may reach you in time. If there is one single chance for you, you had better not fight the rebels until I get up to aid you, or you can join me on the road to the pueblo. These fellows are well prepared, and Mervine's aud Kearny's defeat have given them a deal more confidence and courage. If you do fight before I see yon, keep your forces in compact order; do not allow them to be separated, or even unnecessarily extended. They will probably try to deceive you by a sudden retreat or pretend to run away, and then unexpectedly return to the charge after your men get in disorder in the chase. My advice to you is to allow them to do all the charging and running, and let your rifles do the rest. In the art of horsemanship, of dodging, and running, it is in vain to attempt to compete with them.' Fremont's Court-martial, 272-3, with mention in Id., 85, 229, 379; Stockton's Life, 143-4; Bryant, 389.

The messenger's name was George W. Hamley, Hanly, Hawley, Handlin, Hamblin, or Hamlyn-being written in all these ways-master of the Stoniny- ton. He sailed from S. Diego on the Malek Adhel; landed at S. Buenaventura HIST. CAL., VOL. V. 26

402

THE CONQUEST COMPLETED.

Fernando plain on the 11th, two Californians met them with the news that Stockton had defeated the Californians, and had occupied Angeles the day be- fore; a little farther on was met a Frenchman with Kearny's note for Fremont.20 Then the battalion advanced and occupied the mission buildings of San Fernando about 1 P. M. of the same day. Before night Jesus Pico was despatched to the camp of the Californians.

It is not possible, nor very important, to follow the Californian forces in all their movements after the fight of January 9th. Many simply dispersed and went home, as others had done before. The rest in small detachments visited the different ranchos, some going to San Fernando, but retiring with Carrillo's party before Frémont's arrival. The chief points of reunion were the ranchos of San Pascual and Los Verdugos, about 100 men being assembled at the latter place on the 11th. One of Flores' last acts on the 9th, before quitting the city, was to release Lar- kin and the other prisoners.21 There was much dis-

on the Sth; and was guided by Pedro Carrillo to Fremont's camp at the Wil- lows, passing round a camp of the enemy. Forster thinks Lieut Beale was the man sent from S. Luis; and Wilson, Observ., MS., 102-3, states that Daniel Sexton carried this message or an earlier one. As to the courier who reached Stockton's camp on the morning of the 9th, according to Griffin, there is no record of his having been sent by Fremont. He was probably sent by Amer- icans in Angeles, who had heard of F.'s approach.

20 + Pueblo de Los Angeles, Sunday, Jan. 10, 1846 (7), 4 P. M. Dear Fre- mont: We are in possession of this place with a force of marines and sailors, having marched into it this morning. Join us as soon as you can, or let me know, if you want us to march to your assistance; avoid charging the enemy ; their force does not exceed 400, perhaps uot more than 300. Please acknowl- edge the receipt of this, and despatch the bearer at once. Yours, S. W. Kearny, Brigadier-General U. S. A.' Fremont's Court-martial, 73, 403. Frémont did not send an immediate answer as requested; and he received three more notes of similar purport from Kearny during the next two days, before he sent an answer. Id., 73-4, 403-4. It does not seem necessary to copy them. They were familiar in tone, and more and more urgent in the request for news.

21 Larkin's letters describing his captivity as already cited. Larkin was taken out to the battle field in the afternoon, and it was then decided to re- lease him; but at his request Flores and other officers escorted him back to town. On movements of the Californians in these days, most of the refer- ences also covering the subsequent capitulation, see Coronel, Cosas, MS., 129-30; Rico, Mem., MS., 52-3; Botello, Anales, MS., 167-9; García, Episo- dios, MS., 23-5; Lugo, l'ida, MS., 63-7; Janssens, l'ida, MS., 196; Osio, Hist. Cal., MS., 502-4: Fernandez, Cosas, MIS., 148-9; Julio César, ('osas,

403

FLORES GIVES UP THE COMMAND.

cussion among officers and men about the best course to be taken in the immediate future. None thought of further resistance; and it does not appear that any thought of complying with Stockton's conditions by giving up their leader, though Flores, having enemies in the camp, was very cautious in his movements. Such being the state of affairs, Jesus Pico made his appearance late on the 11th,22 being apparently ar- rested and brought into camp at Los Verdugos. He came to urge not only submission, but submission to his new master and friend, Frémont. He was a man of some influence, came to men who had no fixed plans, dwelt with enthusiasm on the treatment he had received, and without much difficulty persuaded his countrymen that they had nothing to lose and perhaps much to gain by negotiating with Frémont instead of Stockton. A message was sent to the party at San Pascual, and by the latter to Flores and Manuel Castro, at some other point not far away.23 Flores came in response to this invitation, and all went to Los Verdugos to hold a final council, in which an appeal to Fremont was decided on. The general had resolved, however, to quit California, and started the same night for Sonora; but before his departure he formally transferred the command to Andrés Pico.24

MS., 10; Wilson's Obs., MS., 98-100; Palomares, Mem., MS., 88-9; Los Ange- les, Hist., 16-17. None of the particulars or errors seem to require special notice.

22 At midnight, according to the Los Angeles Hist., 16, but I have no doubt it was earlier.

23 'SS. Du Manuel Castro and D. José Mª Flores. At this moment there has arrived a messenger from the Verdugos rancho with the enclosed note ' (not extant), 'and a junta of friends has resolved on communicating this news to you; since they have Don Jesus Pico secured at that point where are also assembled 100 men, so that we only wait for your opinion to march and see what guaranties can be obtained. We advise all the friends to come and take advantage of this opportunity, if they deem it best. San Pascual, Jan. 11, 1847. Francisco de la Guerra, José Antonio Carrillo.' Trauslation from original in my possession. Castro, Doc., MS., ii. 159.

24 ' Comandancia General, No pudiendo continuar con el maudo que in- terinamente he obtenido, y habiendo variedad de opiniones respecto á los movimientos que deben emprenderse; se entregará Vd del mando de esta Division, por corresponderle por su graduacion. Dios y Libertad. Campo

404

THE CONQUEST COMPLETED.

Then Francisco de la Guerra and Francisco Rico were chosen as representatives and went with Don Jesus to San Fernando. They were well received by Frémont, who promised all the Californians could de- sire, named commissioners to negotiate a treaty, and signed an armistice suspending hostilities.25 On the return of Guerra and Rico, José Antonio Carrillo and Agustin Olvera were appointed by Pico as treaty com- missioners for the Californians and the camp was moved to the region of Cahuenga. Fremont's com- missioners were Major P. B. Reading, Major William H. Russell, and Captain Louis McLane; and the bat- talion moved its camp to the rancho of Cahuenga.

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History of California, Volume XXII, Part 42

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