USA > California > Los Angeles County > History of Los Angeles County, California, with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, residences, fine blocks and manufactories > Part 14
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About this time Stockton first learned that war hal hoen declared between the United States and Mexico; and leaving fifty men under command of Lieutenant A. H. Gillespie to gar- rison Los Angeles, he proceeded north. to look after affairs in that quarter. Thus the whole great territory of Upper Califor- nia had been subjected to American rule withont bloodshed. - or even the firing of a gun.
It is claimed that immediately following Stockton's departure, Lieutenant Gillespie inaugurated a series of rigorous reforms in This proclamation was signed by more than three hundred persons. the habits and pastimes of the inhabitants of Los Angeles; seck- ing to reduce them-at a step-to his standard of propriety, in a manner smacking somewhat of tyranny to a people so lately Upon Commodore Stockton's departure, he had commissioned Benjamin D. Wilson as captain to raise a company of men, and from his ranch at Jurnpa to watch the frontier, for fear Castro might undertake to return. At the time of the outbreak in Los Angeles, Captain Wilson and company were in the moun- tains near his ranch engaged in hunting. They had wasted nearly all their ammunition, when a courier arrived from Gilles- pie, apprising Captain Wilson of his critical position, and com- manding him to join him (Gillespie) at onee with all the forer subjugated. This action, with his insignificant force of half- disciplined soldiers, cannot be too highly condemned, and amounted to an almost criminal imprudence. The result of snch rashness was easy to foresee. The American camp was attacked and besieged by a party of Californians under one Corvol Varelas, a native of Los Angeles. General Flores, in violation of his parole, rallied his scattered forces, and upon the 23d day of September, 1846, once more took possession of the 1 at his disposal. Captain Wilson has left on record an account. city. He then issned the following proclamation: of his movements, which is in substance about as follows :-
MEXICAN ARMY, SECTION OF OPERATIONS, ANGELES, October 1, 1846.
FELLOW.CITIZENS :- It is a month and a half that, hy lamentable fatality. fruit of the cowardice and inability of the first authorities of the department, we behold ourselves subjected and oppressed by an insignificant force of adventurers of the United States of America, placing us in a worse condition than that of slaves.
They are dictating to us despotie aud arbitrary laws, and loading us with contributions and onerous burdens, which have for an object the ruin of our industry and agriculture, and to force us to ahandou our property to be possessed and divided among themselves.
And shall we he capable to allow ourselves to he subjugated, and to accept, by our silence, the weighty clains of slavery? Shall we permit to be lost the soil inherited from our fathers, which cost them so much blood and so many sacrifices? Shall we make our families victims of the most barbarous slavery? Shall we wait to see our wives violated -our innocent children punished by the American whips-our prop. erty sacked -our teuiples profaned-and lastly. to drag through an existence full of insult and shame? No! a thousand times no! Conutrymeu, first death !
Who of yon does not feel his heart beat with violence ; who does not feel his blood boil, to contemplate our situation ; who will be the Mexican who will not feel indignant ; and who will not take up arms to destroy our oppressors? We believe there is not one so vile aud cowardly. With such a motive the majority of the inhabitants of the district, justly indignant against our tyrants, raise the cry of war, with arms in their hands, and of one accord swear to sustain the following articles :-
Ist. We, the inhabitants of the department of California. xs men-
hers of the great Mexican nation, declare that it is, and has been, our wish to belong to her alone, free and independent.
1d. Consequently the authorities intended and named by the invad- ing forces of the United States are held null and void.
3d. All the North American+ being enemies of Mexico, we swear not to lay down our arms till they are expelled from the Mexican territory.
4th. All Mexican citizens, from the age of fifteen to sixty, who do not take up arms to forward the present plan, are declared traitors, and under pain of death.
5th. Every Mexican or foreigner who may directly or indirectly aid the enemies of Mexico will be punished in the same manner.
Gth. The property of the North Americaus in the department, who may directly or indirectly have taken part with, or nided the enemies, shall be confiscated and used for the expenses of the war : and their persons shall be taken to the interior of the Republic.
7th. All those who may oppose the present plan will be punished with arms.
8th. All the inhabitants of Santa Barbara and the district of the north, will he invited inimmediately to adhere to the present plan.
Camp in Angeles, September 24. 1846,
JOSE MA. FLORES.
By the same messengers who brought him word of the revolt in Los Angeles, came also a letter from Colonel Isane Williams (an American) of the Chino Ranch, requesting him to bring his foree to that place, where he would find plenty of ammunition. Captain Wilson thereupon marched his men to the Chino Ranch, but upou arriving there, was told by Williams that an officer and soldiers of the California brigade had just been there, and taken all the ammunition he had.
Captain Wilson now desired a messenger by whom he might apprise Gillespie of his helpless condition, and total inability to aid him. Colonel Williams provided one Felix Gallardo, to whom Capt. Wilson intrusted his dispatches, As the mesan- ger was departing. Colonel Williams held some private conver- sation with him, and the man ever afterward maintained, that at that last interview, Colonel Williams persuaded him by threats to deliver Capt. Wilson's dispatch to the Mexican General Flores (instead of to Gillespie) with Colonel Williams compliments, as a proof of his entire devotion to the Mexican cnnse. This Gallardo did.
Upon the following morning Captain Wilson's party was surrounded by a Mexican cavalry force, eighty or one hundred
MINI ISHED BY THOMPSON & WEST.
RESIDENCE OF O. W. CHILDS. MAIN STREET. BETWEEN 11TH AND 12TH STREETS, LOS ANGELES, CALA.
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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
strong, under the leader Jop of tersed Vardas. The Americans entrenched themselves in an adobe building, and from the win- dos's fired upon the Mexicans; last these, choing in set fire to the asphaltmna roof. and compelled a surrender meler guarantee of good treatment ; but. this not nutil mme Mexican had lwen killed, and several laul loon wounded nyon both sides
On their way back to town Captain Wilver roh with the leader Varelas some distance in advance of the latter's company. which had in charge all of Captain Wilson's men as prisoners. Noticing that. the troops had halted, the two leaders put spurs to their horses and dashed back to ascertain the rans. They were just in time, for the treacherous Mexicans had drawn their prisoners up in file on our side of the road, and were alot to massacre the whole lot. Varlas bravely daniel Intweeen. and swore he would ran his sword through the first of his roummind who dared to tire a shot, That he had pledged his honor as a man and as a commander for the safety of the prisoners; and only over his dead body might they suffer harm." In Captain Wilson's party, among others, were the following: D. V. Alexander Living at Wilmington
Alat Harbin . Living in northern California
Ciro. Walters. Living in Los Angeles Michael White
lohn Rowland Dead
Isaac ('nllaghan Kvan Callaghan Joseph Poudre.
William Skole. ..
1. Kubidonx
The prisoners were all huddled into a small adobe room on " Boyle Heights, " opposite the city ; and a priest coming in to enfes them, they began to think they would yet he shot.
All this time Gillespie was enenmped on Fort Hill, closely watched by the Mexicans, who felt much hatred for him per- sonally, on account of real or faveied ill-treatment. The Mexi- enn General, Flores, now sont for Captain Wilson, and dispatched him as a messenger to Gillespie, offering to allow him to march his men to San Pedro, carrying their arms, and there embark unmolested. The offer was accepted, and early the next morning (September 30th) Gillespie marched his men to San Pedro, and embarked on board an American merchant ship, lying there at anchor. Thus, by the infulicious nets of an inferior officer, the southern country was again lost, and all had to be doue over again.
The Wilson party of prisoners were then marched into town. and imprisoned in a building standing ou the site now
occupied by the Se. Chark Hotel, and now for the first time were the wounded allowed the services of a physician-who was more other than Dr. Richard S. Den a British -Hbijest . still resident in the city They were in a wortehad condition. without løk, blankets, or even weary clothes Here was a chance for the good Samaritan, and that worthy contleman who, thank Heaven, know- no race; his lovader perception recognizing the " Diving brotherhood of man", was not low to arrive in the person of Don Enlogio de Celis, a native of Oll Spain, and strongly imbned with the spirit of trim Castilian chivalry. He supplied the primers from his private stores with leads, blankets, clothing, and even a loss of Gamers, where with to while away the irksmmeness of captivity Let such Innanity, at a time when Americans were regarded by the natives as worse than dogs, ever be remembered; and honored la the name of Don Eulogio de l'elis! Som after this. Captain Wilson was offered liberty for himself and men on parole, lait. refused it, as Flores would not incorporate a stipulation agree- ing to an exchange of prisoners.
l'pou hearing of the turn ntfairs had taken at Los Angeles, Commodore Stockton dispatched Captain Mervine in the IT S. sloop of war Sarannoh with three Inudred and twenty men to San Pedro. Here he was joined by Gillespie, and on Detoler 7th they landed, and wiarched toward Los Angeles, A short distance from the landing, the Americans were attacked by a body of untive cavalry some seventy five strong ander Jos Maria Flores and Antonio Carillo, carrying also a small piece of artillery. So bravely did this little band tight, and so skillfully did they manage their tiny cannon, that Mlervine was com- pelled on the next day to retreat on board his ships, with the loss of five men killed and six wounded. Flores gave orders to have the prisoners shot, but to this Carillo would not consent.
A scheme was now concocted by General Flores and one or two others, to send all the American prisoners as trophies to Mexico. William Workman an Englishman, of La Puente, getting word of this plot, set himself to ciremuvent it. In conjunction with Don Ignacio Palomares and other prominent Californiaus, he organized a revolution against the rule of Flores, where headquarters were attacked in the night, himself cap- tured and placed in irons, while the prisoners were removed to San Gabriel. Subsequently the matter was arranged, and Flores oner more assumed command. having pledged himself hereafter to respect the usages of civilized warfare in his treat- ment of prisoners. Mr. Wilson and companions were then returned to Los Angeles.
Soon after this Captain Wilson's men were removed by Don José Antonio Carillo, temporarily in command, to the Cerritos Ranch (now owned by J. Bixby, but at that time by John Temple ; while Captain Wilson was himself placed ujem the mese near Sam Pelo landing, to await the coming of Com-
mo lore Stockton, who was shortly exported in the frigate Compress His instructions words that while the American fors were being lamled he should, on an ngree I signal from Carillo, run up a white the; and mbr cover of that, har a messer of protiration from Carilla to I'min love Stockton. asking for a creation of hostilities until the war then progress mg in Mexico should be decided, this settling the fate of Cali fornia, one way or the other.
Under this arrangement Captain Wilson, in charge of a Mexican sergeant. Look up his position near the Man ling With a view to impress Commodore Stockton with an exaggerated idea of his strength, and this ensure a favorable answer, Carillo How assmolded a vast casalende of wild horses from the plains; and dispersing bis mounted trages among those the whole haly was kept constantly in motion, passing and repassing a gap in the foot-hills, phiuly discernible from the roadstead. Owing to the dust raised by this cavalende it was impossilde to discern and no one would suspect, serving some that all the horas hand not riders. Upon arrival of the Congress, November 1st, her hunts were sent on shore laden with war material, but befine any portion of it could be disembarked, they were signaled from the vessel, and returning to her, the anchor were hoisted, and the Commodore proceeded to San Diego, Carillo now sent for Captain Wilson, and regretting that he had so overrenched his aims by making too much of a demonstration, and thus driving Stockton away, the two returned with the Mexican Forces to Los Angeles,"
Soon after his arrival at San Diego, Commodore Stockton was joined by General Kearney and his escort of dragoons with which he had just arrived from New Mexico having suffered defeat by the Mexicans at San Paspal, with a loss of eighteen killed and as many wounded. On December 29th the march for Los Angeles commeneed, the entire force con- sisting of five Enundred and forty sailors and marines, and sixty dragoons, with six pieces of artillery. The men were for the most part poorly clothed, having no shoes huit such as they had inade for themselves ont of canvas. Upon this march, Kit. C'arson acted as chief of a small corps of seonts.
I'mon January 6th Don Andres Pico, and several other prom- inent Californians, came to the prison where Captain B. D. Wilson and his companions were confined in Los Angeles, gave them their lilxerty and advised them to look ont for their own safety, as no force could be spared to guard them from the rabble. Don Andres presented Captain Wilson and John Rowland with his two famous horses, ' The Blancos," notal for their incomparable speed: and thus mounted they next day sought their respective
. His gallant conduct upon this occasion was never forgotten by the Amer- icaus; and though in after years he became dissipated aud reckless, frequently in the hands of the law for petty offences, he was never suffered to see the inunele of a prisen-some' Amerieno was always no hand to pay bis fine.
. It will be noticed that this account differs from those generally given in histories bitherto written. These all maintain that Stockton disembarked his force at this time, and some even go so far as to say that he gave partial battle and stew several Californians before re-embarking. Mr. Wilson denies these versions in toto, and gives this as what he himself naw.
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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
homes, while their companions distributed themselves among the many friendly viveros in the neighborhood. and carefully avoided the public streets.
At. San Juan Capistrano, Stockton was inet by William Workman (English, and Charles Flugger (German), both ohl and prominent residents of Los Angeles, sent by General Flores to obtain the terms npon which the submission of the insurgent forers would be revived. They were told by Commodore
Stockton that he would guarantee the lives and property of all : heights, a portion of their right wing wheeled upon the rear of
others, only on the unconditional surrender to him of General Flores. He, having forfeited his honor as a sollier hy breaking lis parole, would receive no mercy, but would be shot immedi- ately, if captured. To these terms neither the commissioners, nor any of the C'alifornians, were prepared to accede.
On the evening of January 7th, the Commodore dispatched a spy under cover of night, to discover the strength and position of the quemy in front. They were formed between the Ameri- ean army and the Rio San Gabriel, apparently waiting to give battle, and were estimated at from one thousand to twelve hun- dred men, almost wholly cavalry. On the morning of the Sth Stockton ordered all the guns of his men to be fired off' and reloaded. then passing through their ranks, reminded them that. it was the anniversary of the battle of New Orleans. They were then formed in a square, with the baggage and cattle in the center, and in this form approached the river, where the enemy were observed prepared for their reception, bring also strongly posted on the opposite heights, The banks commanding the ford (ocenpied by the Mexican artillery) were about fifty vards from the river, quite steep, and about fifty feet in height. When within a quarter of a mile of the ford, the Americans were formed in line, and orders were given that not a gun should be tired until the crossing was effected. In the act of crossing (the water being four feet deep), word was sent by General Kearney to the Commander-in-chief, that the bed of the river consisted of quicksand, and could not be passed with the guns, Stockton instantly repaired to the head of the colunm, wized the ropes, and with his own hands helped to drag over the artillery. The passage accomplished, the troops were again formed for battle. The Commodore took charge of the artillery, and personally pointed the guns with such deally precision, that the enemy were soon compelled to abandon theirs, when he sent Lieutenant Gray with orders to Kearney to charge up the bank and sieze them, while he prepared to receive a charge which was about being made on his Hank. Before Kearney could reach the ascent however, the Californians returned and. . withdrew their guns. The greater part of their force (after making a circuit of several hundred yards) now descended to the level of the river and attacked Stockton on his left Hank, but were so warmly received that they retreated up the hill, followed by the Commodore, who charged up the ascent with
his artillery. U'pon reaching the heights, the enemy were dis covered a short distance away drawn up in line of battle. with their artillery in front. The Americans were now ordered to lie down, while their leader ran ont his guns, and himself aimed each piece as fast as it was loabut, with such fatal effect that the California artillerymen were repeatedly driven from their guns. Their cavalry made several attempts to charge, but each in turn proved ineffectual. Dispersed in every direction on the the American forces and attacked Captain Gillespie, who, oneum- bered as he was with baggage and cattle, received them so warmly that they fled across the river. Their main body retreated before the assailants until. reaching a ravine, they renewed a brisk fire, when Stockton again took charge of the guns, and by his well directed shots, drove them from their position. They then rapidly fied, carrying off their killed and wounded, whose numbers could not be ascertained. The Americans lost only one man killed and nine wounded, in this engagement.
On January 9th Stockton pursued the retiring foe in the direction of Los Angeles, and after a march of six miles, came up with them on the plains of the mese, some four or five miles south-easterly from the city. They were well posted with a ravine to the left of their line, which masked their artillery. When the Americans were about six hundred yards distant, the Mexican guns opened fire on the advancing column. Prop- arations for a charge were visible, and they had evidently been strongly re-enforced. Stockton formed his whole force into a square, with the baggage, horses, and oxen in the center; and gave imperative orders to his men not to fire a shot until he gave the signal, which he said would be when he could see the eyes of the enemy. The Californians made a gallant charge, said by those who witnessed it to have been a most brilliant spectacle. With banners flying, mounted on fleet horses gaily caparisoned, they bounded on, the very earth seeming to tremble beneath their tread. Ax a wall of adamant stood the Americans, calmly awaiting the signal of their leader. The signal is given, and a volley of leaden hail smites horse and rider to the dust: Thrown into momentary confusion again they form, again charge, and with like result. A third time they form, and attack threr siles of the square simultaneously, but the effort is fruitless; and at last in despair, they scatter and Hy in all directions, each regarding only his own individual safety. On Jannary 10th, at the head of his advance guard, on the principal road leading into Los Angeles, with banners waving and drums beating, Commodore Stockton entered the city accompanied by General Kearney. He directed Captain Gillespie once more to raise the flag which he had been compelled to strike on Sep- tember 30th, previous; and on the next day issued the following general order :-
HEADQUARTERS, CIUDAD DE LOS ANGELES, i Jannary 11th, 1847. 1
The Commander-in-chief congratulates the officers and men of the southern division of the United States' forces in California on the brilliant victories obtained by them over the enemy on the 8th and Ath instants, and on once more taking possession of l'indad de los Angeles. lle takes the earliest moment to commend their gallantry and good rondnet, both in the battle fought on the Sth on the banks of the Ria Sor findeist, and on the 9th inst. on the Chains of the Most.
Thesteady courage of the troops in foreing their passage across the In San Gabriel, where the 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 books against the enemy's envatry -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 deserves the best thanks of their countrymen.
R. F. STOCKTON,
Governor and Commander-in-chief of the Territory of California,
The Mexican force, under Flores, failing to make any impres. sion upon or stay the American advance, retreated to San Pasqual, some five or six miles north-east of Los Angeles. On the evening of the 11th, General Flores with forty or fifty men. left this place for Sonora, going by way of San Gorgonio Pass and Colora lo river. General An Tres Pico thereupon succeeded Flores in command of the Mexican forces.
The day following Commo lore Stockton's departure from San Diego, on his way to Los Angeles, he sont dispatches to Fremont, commanding him to meet him (Stockton) on the plains south of the latter city. It has been freely charged by Captain Wilson and others, that Fremont wilfully neglected to obey these instructions; and by taking cirenitons routes through the mountains, purposely wasted time, this avoiding a junction with Stockton, and consequent participation in the engagements, which he well knew must precede the re-occupa- tion of Los Angeles, However this may be, certainly Fremont did not reach the mission of San Fernando until January 11th; one day after Sto kton's triumphant entry into the prin- cipal city.
Fremont had with him at this time a native Californian named José Jesus Pico, who had been captured as a spy, and been condemned by court-martial to b. shot. Fremont. ha l. however, remitted his sentence, and this man a ting apparently under instructions from Fremont, entere 1 the Californian camp at midnight on January 11th, and advised the Mexican Dealers to treat with Fremont at San Fernando, rather than with Com- modore Stockton at Los Angeles, The result was a meeting on the following morning near Cahuenga, between Fremont anl the Mexican leaders, and articles of capitulation were then and there agreed upon. by which the usual consequences of broken paroles and all such small matters were waived, an la general pacification provided for. The treaty was signed by Major P' B. Reading. Captain Louis MeLane, and Colonel William 11 Russell on behalf of the Americans; and by low Antonio Carils and Augustin Olvera for the Californians. It was
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LOS AN
RESIDENCE OF WM H.PERRY, LUMBER DEALER, EAST SUBURBS OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.
LITH BY CL JMITH
43.5 CxAr 51. 5.F
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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
approved January 13, 1847, by John (. Fremont, as " military commandant of California," and by Andres Pico. "command- ant of squashon and chief of the national forres in California." Copies were duly exchanged, and the war in California was ended.
Aerordling lo Tuthill and other historians, Colonel Fremont now entered Los Angeles and reportant to Commodore Stockton, and two days later received from the latter his commission as Governor. But Captain Wilson, in his memoirs, maintains that Fremont marched his force dirret to San Gabriel Mission, and there encumped, making no report whatever. However this may be, the fact of his having exrented a trenty with the Californian lenders, withont consultation with his superior officers, caused great indignation in the breasts of Conomodor. Stockton and General Kearney (themselves opposed in interest . and led to his (Fremont's) subsequent court-martial and dis- grace. The treaty he had signed was, however, honored by Stockton, and beenme the basis of a general pacification as it purported by its terms to be. Thus ended all military opera- tions within the lwounds id' Los Angeles county.
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