USA > California > Los Angeles County > History of Los Angeles county, Volume I > Part 30
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7. All those who may oppose the present plan will be punished with arms.
8. All the inhabitants of Santa Barbara and the district of the north will be invited immediately to adhere to the present plan.
[Signed] JOSE MA. FLORES.
Camp Angeles, September 24, 1846.
This proclamation was signed by more than 300 persons.
CHAPTER XX WHEN UNCLE SAM STEPPED IN
All the books that have been written about California contain, of course, more or less elaborate and vivid accounts of the military operations which resulted in the occupation and possession of the Province by the American forces, as a result of which California became a state of the Union.
Concerning these operations as they relate particularly to Los Angeles, we are fortunate to have discovered an account of those matters by no less a person than the renowned Don Augustin Olvera who, as far back as the year 1841, was justice of the peace of the territory lying between Santa Ana and Las Flores. Don Augustin was admitted as an attorney to practice before the United States District Court in 1855, and in the year following acted as receiver of the United States Land Office in Los Angeles. In every way he is a most illustrious and reliable witness of the events of his time. He was long a resident of this city where he died in the fullness of his years, respected and beloved. Having been active in the administration of the law under both Mexican and American rule in Los Angeles, and a man of great mental ability, he was ideally equipped as an historian.
Let us go back to December, 1846, when Commodore Stockton and General Kearney with 600 men, camped at the gates of the pueblo of Los Angeles, then a community of a population of about 1,000 souls, and, as it were, standing behind American guns, let us see what happened as Don Augustin Olvera saw it.
Don Augustin relates that on the 9th of January, 1846, the army passed from the river into Main Street near the old "Celis house," thence up Main Street to the Plaza. Two guns, with a couple of hundred men, were stationed on the hill overlooking Main Street; the rest quartered as com- fortably as possible. On the 14th, Col. J. C. Fremont marched in from Cahuenga, his battalion "a body of fine looking men in general on good horses and armed with rifles."
Eleven hundred of United States troops were now in the city. Upon the . hill at once was commenced a Fort, on which the patriotic sailors worked cheerily, although they had begun to talk of their ships, and the term of service of many of them had expired. It was finished by the Mormons. It has been said that a small entrenchment at this spot existed, made in the time of Governor Micheltorena. This is a mistake. Before 1846 it had been the playground of the children, a favorite resort of lovers, the place for picnics or recreation on days of festival. In 1859 and several years there- after, hundreds of persons every fine Sunday afternoon of early spring might be seen there, culling the wild flowers or gazing over the beautiful panorama of mountain and plain and sea. A very long time passed before it began to have charming residences. January 18th, General Kearney, with his dragoons afoot and almost shoeless, and after the casualties of
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their hard campaigns, scarcely more than fifty in number, marched for San Diego. Captains Emory and Turner, Lieutenants Davidson and Warner, and Doctor Griffin, returned with him. Commodore Stockton followed the next day.
The battle-ground of January 8th is a present "Pico Crossing ;" by the Californians always named Curunga. Gen. Jose Maria Flores commanded the Californians. He had ordered the charge to be made by a squadron. The company advanced under Capt. Juan Bautista Moreno. Don Francisco Cota, bearing the Mexican standard, placed himself at its head, and the column dashed down the precipitous hill, about seventy in number, upon the close ranks of Stockton. The sailors received them with a terrible fire. The other company reached the brow of the hill to follow their comrades, when Don Diego Sepulveda, acting upon his own judgment, ordered a halt, advanced alone, and commanded a retreat. He was aid of Flores. This feat was accomplished by Captain Moreno under heavy fire, but with- out further loss than a severe wound which he received. Two had been mortally wounded by the first fire of the sailors, namely, Ygnacio Sepulveda (El Cuacho), brother of Don Diego, and Francisco Rubiou (Bachico). They died of their wounds, at San Gabriel.
Californians still speak of their strange emotions, retired only about 1,000 yards, at the music of Stockton's band, when the heights were taken and their late camp occupied by him.
In the artillery duel of the Mesa, Alfreze Jose Maria Ramirez was slightly wounded, and a youth named Ignacio "El Guaimeno" killed. Their entire force did not exceed 400.
At the distance, it was easy for the American army to be misled as to the effect of its shots, owing to the habit of Californians, so agile on horse- back, to hang themselves on their saddles, on either side from the danger. "El Guaimeno," that is to say, "of Guaimas," was a Yaqui Indian, born on the river of that name. In a battle against the Yaquis a soldier had captured him, then a child, and was about to kill him. Don Santiago John- son interposed, bought him of the soldier for $12, and finally brought him in his family to California.
It seems to have been thought that the personal eclat of some of the higher functionaries would inspire the rank and file with greater enthusiasm. Certainly common sense will not undertake to judge them as regular soldiers. Magnificent horsemen they were, and by a simple and active life made hardy for campaigns, but never had rigid military training. Most of them were very young.
This revolution owed much to the patriotic zeal of the women of the country, by fervent appeal and indignant upbraiding impelling father, brother, husband, lover, to resistance. Happily they were the first in January to bow gracefully to destiny-a gentle influence so new-born, like the rainbow, at the close of the storm.
Many of the graver inhabitants felt that they were not able to cope with the United States ; their men undisciplined, and without any resources to wage war. So thought General Flores, we may well believe, with his reputation for experience and skill; and the like conviction has often been attributed to Gen. Andres Pico. But the untamed spirit of the majority at
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first did not stop to reason upon the consequences. Honor and love of country threw away cold calculation and military caution.
Gen. Jose Maria Flores was born at the Hacienda de los Ornos, in the Department of Coahuila. He had been aid to Governor Micheltorena. He died at Mazatlan in April or May, 1866. His wife was a native of Cali- fornia-Dona Dolores Zamorano, daughter of Don Augustin Zamorano, who had been secretary of Governor Jose Maria Echeandia from 1825, and afterward, in 1833, of Governor Jose Figueroa; he was born in Florida. Her grandfather was Don Santiago Arguello, formerly military commander of San Diego, and from 1840 until 1843 prefect at Los Angeles, whose eldest son, Don Santiago, was captain of the native California company, on the American side, at the battle of Curunga. General Flores was thirty years of age at the date of these events.
Lieut. Col. Philip St. George Cooke and the Mormon battalion reached the Mission of San Diego, January 29th; Stephen C. Foster was his inter- preter. March 17th, with Company C, First Dragoons, and four com- panies of his battalion, Colonel Cooke took post at this city. The officers of Company C then were: Capt. A. J. Smith, First Lieut. J. B. Davidson, Second Lieut. George H. Stoneman, the last mentioned officer a graduate of the previous year at West Point.
Col. Jonathan D. Stevenson arrived in the latter part of April with Company G. Capt. Matthew R. Stevenson, and Company E, Capt. Nelson Taylor, of the New York Regiment. (Captain Stevenson is dead. Cap- tain Taylor was a brigadier general in the Civil war, and member of Congress from New York.)
May 16th, by order of Colonel Cooke, Doctor Griffin was appointed as surgeon at this city. Doctor Sanderson, surgeon of the Mormon battalion, was discharged, their term of service being out; one company of which re-enlisted for the war under Capt. J. D. Hunter, who had commanded Company B of that battalion; Captain Hunter was a native of Kentucky. In August he was appointed agent for the Indians, who, especially in San Diego County, had done much damage upon the ranchos.
A pleasant reminiscence there is of Don Juan Abila. Doctor Griffin made his ride within two days and a half from San Diego, in consequence of Colonel Cooke's order. At the Alisos rancho his horse was too jaded to proceed. Don Juan immediatly gave him-not a broncho, but one of his best saddle horses-with characteristic Californian hospitality. Thus early had confidence and cordial feelings sprung up among this open-hearted race. It is proper to observe that before the army had felt the amenities of resident foreigners identified by marriage with the natives, among them Don Edward Stokes of Santa Ysabel and Don Juan Forster, both these gentlemen of English birth.
July 4, 1847, the fort on the hill was finished. The staff was raised and the flag thrown to the breeze amid salutes of cannon, and the place christened Fort Moore. A grand ball at night, given by the American officers, ended the national anniversary. The fort was named in honor of Capt. Ben Moore, who had fallen at San Pasqual, December 6, 1846. One, on the then western frontier well-remembered, so kind and genial ever ; stern, prompt, faithful when duty called. On that dark day near-by fell
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Lieut. T. H. Hammond. Companions they in arms, married to sisters, devoted friends, their life-blood mingled for their country's sake. They are buried together at the Old Town, San Diego.
July 9th, Lieut. Col. H. S. Burton having obtained necessary stores and two six-pounders at Los Angeles, left San Pedro with his command of 110 men on the U. S. store ship Lexington to occupy the Port of La Paz, Lower California. He had of the First N. Y. Regiment Company A, Capt. S. G. Steele, and Company B, Capt. H. C. Matsell. After several conflicts the occupation was firmly established and maintained, until the troops were withdrawn and that country delivered over to Mexico under the terms of the treaty. An episode of war, that has a glow of romance in more than one of its pleasing traditions. Lieutenant Colonel Burton afterward served on the Pacific Coast several years and in the Civil war. He died with the rank of major general. His widow, Dona Ampara de Burton, and son Harry and daughter Nellie resided in San Diego County. Captain. Steele went to live in Scott's Valley, California. Captain Matsell afterward was a merchant in the City of San Diego, afterward residing in New York. Of the privates in this daring service four came to Los Angeles: Messrs. Peter Thompson, James O'Sullivan, August Ehlers and Moses W. Perry.
Of the native Californians some probably dreamed of help to come from Mexico through their beloved governor, Don Pio Pico. In August, 1846, he had set out for the capital, leaving them his assurance of reinforce- ments. But by this time the better portion of the people had become con- vinced that further opposition must be unavailing. Their cherished institu- tion-the ayuntamiento (town council), which had closed its sessions July 4, 1846, at the first sound of war-was restored in every detail according to their old laws. The familiar words "Dios y Libertad" (God and Liberty) authenticated their official communication among themselves as if the Mexican banner were flying. The election took place in 1847, the first meeting February 20th of that year. Its members were: First alcalde and president, Don Jose Salazar; second alcalde, Don Enrique Abila ; regidores (councilmen), Don Miguel N. Pryor, Don Rafael Gallardo, Don Julian Chavez, Don Jose Antonio Yorba ; sindico (treasurer), Don Jose Vincente Guerrero; secretary, Don Ygnacio Coronel.
Its record is creditable to their probity, intelligence, economy and zeal for the public good. Owing to misunderstandings between this body and the military commandant, Colonel Stevenson, at the end of December it was dissolved by Gov. R. B. Mason, and January 1, 1848, S. C. Foster, alcalde by military appointment, took the place of the ayuntamiento, with like judisdiction over a wide stretch of country beyond the limits of the city. This office he held until May 21st of the ensuing year, displaying superior skill in its various and often difficult business.
The irrigation system every season had been a source of perplexity to the officers, and inconvenience and losses to the people, who never could find more than some temporary expedient to keep up the toma (dam) so necessary for the cultivation of the 103 vineyards and gardens then exist- ing. In February, after his appointment, by a measure firmly executed at insignificant cost to each proprietor, Foster put it in a condition that was not disturbed until the great freshet of 1861-62.
A thousand things combined to smooth the asperities of war. Fremont
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uau Deen courteous and gay; Mason was just and firm. The natural good temper of the population favored a speedy and perfect conciliation. The American officers at once found themselves happy in every circle. In sup- pers, balls, visiting in town and country, the hours glided away with pleasant reflections. For hospitality the families were unrivaled through the world; and really were glad that it had not been worse at San Gabriel. "Men capable of such actions ought not to have been shot," they said in softest Castilian-admiring the American dash and daring displayed on that occasion.
Gen. Andres Pico and his compadre, Lieutenant Stoneman, had a horse race against Sutler Sam Haight and a native turfman-when Old "Oso" of the Picos and Workman, staked by the general and lieutenant- beat Dr. Nicholas Den's "Champion of Santa Barbara," name forgotten, 1,000 yards. On the other side a fascination seized them for the City of the Queen of the Angels. Army officers are believed to be no indifferent judges of wine. Doctor Griffin says of Los Angeles wine the day after their entry: "It is of excellent flavor; as good as I ever tasted. The white wine is particularly fine. I ate of the fine oranges. Taking every- thing into consideration, this is decidedly one of the most desirable places I have ever been at." Camped on the sandy Santa Ana January 19th, on the return march to San Diego, thought turned back to this "very pleasant place-we found it so-we lived well and had the best of wine."
At San Diego in December before, their reception had been, if possible, warmer from that ever enthusiastic and generous people. Don Juan Bandini and wife, Dona Refugio, had thrown open their mansion to Com- modore Stockton. All San Diego vied one with another to pay him honor and gild the flying moments with joy. Don Miguel Redrorena and his relative, Don Santiago E. Arguello, took up arms for the United States ; both went with Commodore Stockton to Los Angeles. The inhabitants saw the army depart on the 29th in mingled sympathy and fear for the result. They welcomed all that returned to the wonted round of festivities. The navy reciprocated the courtesy of the people. "On the 22d, Washington's Birthday," says Doctor Griffin, "the commodore gave an elegant blowout on board of the Congress. The decorations were the flags of all nations ; the ship's deck decidedly the gayest ballroom I ever saw. We had all the ladies from San Diego. Everything went off in the happiest manner."
The treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was ratified May 30, 1848. The news did not reach Los Angeles until August 15th. In the same month were celebrated the nuptials of Stephen C. Foster and Dona Merced Lugo, daughter of Don Antonio Maria Lugo. Don Antonio Maria died in 1860. He was born in 1775, at the Mission of San Antonio de Padua. He was a link between two centuries-his name a household word throughout Cali- fornia.
In the same month, or July, ex-Governor Pio Pico returned to Los Angeles from Guaimas, having effected nothing during his absence of two years. The Mexican government neglected all his representations, and finally refused to permit him or his secretary, Don Jose Matias Moreno, to visit the capital. It was a patriotic dream which he had indulged for his native land. The cold policy of Mexico seems to have parted with this remote region without a single regret. Don Pio has lived to a green old
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age, none the less honored for having been the last Mexican governor of California.
In September Colonel Stevenson left for San Francisco. In January, 1849, a squadron of Second Dragoons, Major Montgomery Pike Graham commanding, fresh from Mexico, was posted at this city. His officers were: Captain Kane, quartermaster; Capt. D. H. Rucker; Lieutenants Cave J. Couts, Givens, Sturgiss, Campbell, Evans and Wilson .. Capt. Rufus Ingalls was here in this year as quartermaster. The arrival of Major Graham relieved Company C, First Dragoons, which then marched for Sonoma, under its officers as before mentioned, and the surgeon, Doctor Griffin.
Commodore Robert Field Stockton was born at Princeton, New Jersey, in 1796; was distinguished by his naval services in the Mediterranean and other seas. California owes to him its first press and first public school- house under American rule. In 1851 he represented his native state in the U. S. Senate, and succeeded in having the passage of a law abolishing flogging in the navy. He died October 7, 1866.
Gen. Stephen Watts Kearney was born at Newark, New Jersey, August 30, 1794. In June, 1846, he was made brigadier general in command of "the Army of the West," and took possession of New Mexico, established a provisional government, and marched for California. He died at St. Louis, Missouri, October 31, 1848.
There is a deep fascination in those colorful events which witnessed the passing of the City of Los Angeles from Mexican control in the hands of American men and the American Government, and, in addition to the reminiscences of Don Augustin, we are glad to have an intimate account of those events from the diary of Capt. W. H. Emory, who was with Stockton and Kearney in the engineering corps of that famous "Army of the West."
Captain Emory's diary for the year 1846 contains the following exceed- ingly interesting entries :
January 6 .- Today we made a long march (from San Diego) of 19 miles to the upper Santa Ana, a town situated on the river of the same name. We were now near the enemy, and the town gave evidence of it. Not a soul was to be seen ; the few persons remaining in it were old women, who, on our approach, had bolted their doors. The leaders of the Californians, as a means of inciting their people to arms, made them believe we would plunder their houses and violate their women.
Taking advantage of a deep ditch for one face of the camp, it was laid off in a very defensible position between the town and the river, expecting the men would have an undisturbed night's rest, to be in the morning ready for the fight, which might now be expected daily. In this hope we were mistaken. The wind blew a hurricane (something unusual in this part of California), and the atmosphere was filled with particles of fine dust, so that one could not see and but with difficulty breathe.
January 7 .- The wind continued to blow violently, which the enemy should have taken advantage to attack us. Our weapons were chiefly fire- arms ; his, the lance ; and I was quite certain that in such a gale of wind as then blew, the difficulty of loading our arms would have proved a serious matter.
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The Santa Ana is a fine, dashing stream, knee-deep, and about 100 yards wide, flowing over a sandy bed. In its valley are many valuable vineyards and corn fields. It is capable of affording water to a great many more. On its banks are considerable tracts of uncultivated land within the level of irrigation. We now began to think there would be more for- midable and united resistance by the enemy, and such was the unanimity of the men, women and children, in support of the war, that not a particle of information could be obtained in reference to his force or position. After traveling ten miles we came to the Coyotes, a rancheria owned by a rich widow, who had just married a handsome young fellow, who might well pass for her son. These people we found at home, and we learned from them that the enemy intended to give us battle the next day. Indeed, as we approached the rancheria, several horsemen drew off, reconnoitering us so closely as to make it doubtful if they were not some of our own vaqueros.
January 8 .- We passed over a country destitute of wood and water, undulating and gently dipping toward the ocean, which was in view. About two o'clock we came in sight of the San Gabriel River. Small squads of horsemen began to show themselves on either flank, and it became quite apparent the enemy intended to dispute the passage of the river.
Our progress was necessarily very slow, our oxen being poor, and our wagons (the ox-carts of the country) with wheels only about two feet in diameter.
The enemy did not yet discover his order of battle, and we moved to the river in our habitual order of march, when near the enemy, viz: the 2d. division in front, and the 1st. and 3d. on the right and left flanks re- spectively ; the guard and a company of volunteer carbiniers in the rear ; our cattle and the wagon train in the center, making for them, what the sailors wittily termed a Yankee "corral." The artillery were distributed on the four angles of the rectangle.
This order of march was adopted from the character of the enemy's force, all of which was mounted; and in a measure from our own being men unaccustomed to field evolutions, it was necessary to keep them habitually in the order to resist cavalry attacks when in view of the enemy. We had no cavalry, and the object of the enemy was to deprive us of our cattle by sudden charge.
The river was about 100 yards wide, knee-deep, and flowing over quicksand. Either side was fringed with a thick undergrowth. The approach on our side was level; that on the enemy's was favorable to him. A bank fifty feet high ranged parallel with the river, at point blank cannon distance, upon which he posted his artillery.
As we neared the thicket, we received the scattering fire of the enemy's sharp-shooters. At the same moment, we saw him place four pieces of artillery on the hill, so as to command the passage. A squadron of 250 cavalry just showed their heads above the hill, to the right of the battery, and the same number were seen to occupy a position on the left.
The 2d. battalion was ordered to deploy as skirmishers, and cross the river. As the line was about the middle of the river, the enemy opened his battery, and made the water fly with grape and round shot. Our artillery was now ordered to cross-it was unlimbered, pulled over by the men, and placed in counter battery on the enemy's side of the river. Our
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people, very brisk in firing, made the fire of the enemy wild and uncertain. Under this cover, the wagons and cattle were forced with great labor across the river, the bottom of which was quicksand.
Whilst this was going on, our rear was attacked by a very bold charge, and repulsed.
On the right bank of the river there was a natural banquette, breast high. Under this the line was deployed. To this accident of the ground is to be attributed the little loss we sustained from the enemy's artillery, which showered grape and round shot over our heads. In an hour and twenty minutes our baggage train had all crossed, the artillery of the enemy was silenced, and a charge made on the hill.
Half-way between the hill and river, the enemy made a furious charge on our left flank. At the same moment, our right was threatened. The 1st. and 2d. battalions were thrown into squares, and after firing one or two rounds, drove off the enemy. The right wing was ordered to form a square, but seeing the enemy hesitate, the order was countermanded; the 1st. battalion, which formed the right, was directed to rush for the hill, sup- posing that would be the contested point, but great was our surprise to find it abandoned.
The enemy pitched his camp in the hills in view, but when morning came, he was gone. We had no means of pursuit, and scarcely the power of locomotion, such was the wretched conditions of our wagon train. The latter it was still deemed necessary to drag along for the purpose of feeding the garrison, intended to be left in the Ciudad de los Angeles, the report being that the enemy intended, if we reached that town, to burn and destroy every article of food. Distance 9.3 miles.
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