USA > California > Santa Barbara County > History of Santa Barbara county, California, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 17
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CAPTURE OF SONOMA.
A party of twelve men, under Merrit, seized Sonoma with nine brass cannon and 250 stand of arms. They also made prisoners Vallejo and several other prominent persons, sending them to Sutter's Fort at Sacramento. The town of Sonoma was garrisoned by eighteen men under William B. Ide, which force was, however, soon increased to forty. Ide issued a proclamation setting forth a list of wrongs which justified the taking of authority into their own hands, and recommended the people gener- ally to continue their usual avocations, assuring them of protection. Castro also issued a proclamation request- ing the people to rise and annihilate the rapacious in- vader. Ide's proclamation seemed to draw best, for in a few days he felt strong enough to send out an attack- ing party to avenge the death of two young men who were captured and brutally murdered while on their way to Bodega. The attacking party was com- manded by Lieutenant Ford, and numbered twenty- one men; the other by Captain De la Torre, and numbered eighty-six, the latter company having received a large accession without the knowledge of the Americans, or the result might have been differ- ent, but De la Torres' party was routed with the loss of eight killed and two wounded.
THE FAMOUS BEAR FLAG.
A decent regard for the opinions of mankind, con- sidering that a state of war existed, prompted the rebels to rear a flag under which to fight, fulminate, and negotiate, and the famous bear flag, which was a rather inartistic representation of a grizzly, done with a compound of berry juice and shoe blacking, laid on with a blacking-brush, was the result. This flag, much faded, is now in the possession of the Society of California Pioneers, at San Francisco, and is occasionally brought out. It is highly valued, and is preserved with great care.
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THE AMERICAN CONQUEST.
FREMONT'S BATTALION.
Fremont was now busy in organizing a battalion to maintain the dignity of the new State. Nearly the whole American population joined or sent in assurances of support. Still, many things were wanted besides men. Nearly all had arms, but horses and, more than all, boats, were searee, and the timber from which to construct them fifty miles away. Word was brought that Castro was crossing the bay with 200 soldiers to fall upon Ide's garrison. In thirty-six hours he, with ninety riflemen, had ridden eighty miles to Sonoma, but Castro did not put in an appearance. De la Torre's force was the only one on the north side of the bay, and that made all haste to cross. Some of the rear guard and nine pieces of cannon fell into Fremont's possession, but the main body made their escape across the bay by means of a boat which had just arrived. This was the last time the Mexican flag was seen floating on the north side of the bay. Fremont, accompanied by Carson and Gillespie, and a few others, erossed the bay to the Presidio, took the commander of the port prisoner, spiked the ten guns, and returned to the north shore. July 5, 1846, the form of deelaring an independent State was gone through with. The grand army, or Fremont's battalion, now numbered 160 mounted riflemen. The pursuit of Castro was now determined upon. There was no means of crossing to the south side nearer than the Sacra- mento, which involved several days' ride, but nothing deterred by this, Fremont and his battalion started. Castro was understood to be intrenched at San Jose. After Fremont had departed on this errand, news came which necessitated another change of affairs.
U. S. FLAG RAISED IN MONTEREY.
Commodore Sloat arrived in Monterey July 2, 1846. Instructions had been forwarded to him, dated May 15th, to take Mazatlan, Monterey, and San Francisco, and hold them at all hazards, but they had not reached his hand. He was even instructed to strike if he heard of the existence of war, without waiting for an official notice. Fremont's bold opera- tions furnished sufficient information, and he eon- cluded to co-operate with him in capturing Castro. There were other reasons also. An English fleet was watching the American fleet. War was expected, and if any pretext could be found, such as a revolu- tionary party appealing to the British squadron for protection, they would also assert authority over the country. When the American ship sailed out of Mazatlan, the English ship sailed out of San Blas, both making every effort to reach Montercy first. When the English arrived, the American flag was flying from the Custom House. It was now learned how near California came to being an English pos- session. Mr. Forbes, the former agent of the Hudson Bay Company, had, some years before, written a book on the resources of California and its valuable
harbors, and had convinced the British authorities of the policy of getting the country. As early as April, 1846, Forbes had an interview with Governor Pico, Castro, and Vallejo. in reference to a protectorate. The excuse that the Yankees were about to take it would be sufficient to uppease Mexico. Thomas O. Larkin was the first to get knowledge of the matter. The plan did not suit all of the Mexicans. A promi- nent native opposed it, saying, " It seems we are to fall into the jaws of the bull-dog or the greyhound; the latter is first in the race, let him take California." The project of Anglicizing the province included an enor- mous land grant, amounting to 3,000 square leagues, to an Irish colony which was to take possession of San Joaquin Valley. This latter plan had been com- municated to Fremont by Lieutenant Gillespie, and was also known by Thomas O. Larkin, so Commo- dore Sloat sent 250 marines, under Captain Marvin, and took possession of the Custom House and other publie buildings, July 7th, and California became
virtually a port of the American domain. When the Sonoma party heard of the matter they hauled down the Bear flag and ran up the stars and stripes with much rejoicing; in fact, the act was a cause of rejoicing throughout all California. The flag was raised at San Francisco the 8th, and at Sonoma the 10th of July.
FREMONT'S CAPTURE OF MILITARY STORES.
It will be remembered that when Castro and Alva- rado ousted Micheltorena, they first of all captured the military stores concealed at the mission of San Juan. These had not been removed, and one of the first measures taken by Sloat was to get possession of them. Purser Fauntleroy was sent on this errand, but an hour before he arrived Fremont had dashed into the town and captured the stores, unearthing nine pieces of cannon, 200 old muskets, and a large quantity of powder and shot. Fremont received a polite request to report on board the Savannah. Accordingly, the next day, Fremont and Gillespie visited the Commodore, who was anxious to know under what or whose orders he was making such a row. Fremont disclaimed any authority for doing as he had done; was aeting on his own judgment. Sloat had acted on the presumption that Fremont had orders ! Commodore Sloat felt inclined to be angry; thought he had made a fool of himself, as Commodore Jones had in 1842; would return home at the first opportunity.
PIO PICO'S REMONSTRANCE.
Pico, who was acting as Governor. and made Santa Barbara his headquarters for the time being, addressed a long letter to Thomas O. Larkin, the United State Consul at Monterey, protesting against the acts of Fremont and Ide as being contrary to the law of nations and unworthy of civilized people; that until certain knowledge of actual war between the two nations was received, it was the duty of all
68
HISTORY OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY.
citizens to maintain peace, and he called on Larkin, as the representative of the American Government, to interfere and prevent such lawless acts as Ide and Fremont were committing. This letter was dated June 29, 1846. Larkin replied to Pico under date of July 5th, disclaiming any authority or responsibility in the case, and pointed out the probability of a col- lusion between Ide and Vallejo, since the latter had surrendered to an inferior force without firing a gun.
It seems that there is some confusion existing as to when the knowledge of actual hostilities was received. Walter Colton, who was appointed Alcalde of Monterey soon after its occupation by Commo- dore Sloat, says that the British brig-of-war, Spy, brought the news from San Blas, but would not make it known, August 10, 1846; that the United States ship, Warren, brought the news from Mazatlan. arriving at Monterey August 12th.
Sloat's proclamation of July 7th relates the fact of the battles between General Arista and General Taylor, and the capture of Brownsville the 8th and 9th of May. Sloat considered the acts as proving a war in fact, without waiting for the formal recogni- tion by act of Congress. It was considered by most persons that the orders issued to Taylor to cross the river Neuces was, in fact, a declaration of hostilities towards Mexico. This order, and its almost certain consequences, may account for the active measures in California countenanced or advised by the Admin- istration.
STOCKTON TO THE FRONT.
Commodore Stockton came into Monterey on the 15th of July in the frigate Congress, and heartily co-operated with Fremont who now turned over his battalion, glad to have the responsibility rest on a naval officer. Sloat returned to the East when he found himself out of favor for not having done more instead of less. As proclamations seem to suit the California people, Stockton issued a grandiloquent one full of high-sounding sentiments, hut did not, how- ever. rest his hopes of success on them, for he imme- diately sent Fremont with his battalion to San Diego to sweep north ward from that point. He embarked on the Cyane, August 23d, Stockton embarking for San Pedro the 30th of the same month. He touched at Santa Barbara, which town offering no resistance, he garrisoned with a force of ten men under Lieu- tenant Talbot, and proceeded with the vessel to San Pedro. Here he learned that Fremont could not mount his battalion, the horses all having been driven away from that part of the country ; consequently, he received no assistance from that quarter.
Stockton, however, determined to move upon Castro even if he did so on foot. So the. marines were put ashore and drilled as infantry. Six small cannon were landed from the ships for artillery. Cattle for provisions were inclosed in a hollow square. Thus arranged they commenced their march. and made the distance in one day, entering Los Angeles the next
morning at eight. There was much threatening on the part of Castro to exterminate the invaders if they set foot in the city, but he retired as Stockton came in, making good his retreat to Sonora. Soon after the surrender of the place he was joined by Fremont and his battalion who had been unable to intercept the flight of Castro into Sonora. There were several rontes, and Fremont's party being badly mounted, and Castro having an abundance of fresh horses, his escape was inevitable. Leaving small garrisons at San Diego, Los Angeles, and Santa Barbara, the army returned to Monterey on several vessels.
SECOND CONQUEST.
The conquest of the country was now considered completed. Stockton was welcomed by both Mexi- cans and Americans; by the former, because they hoped for a stable government, and by the latter because they hoped to have equal rights with the natives. He was contemplating the extension of the war into Mexico, when an uprising in the southern part of the State forced him to do the work over again. Several prominent citizens who had signed a parole not to serve until exchanged, among whom was General Flores, organized an insurrection and invested Los Angeles with a large force September 23d. Lieutenant Gillespie, who was in command, was obliged to capitulate, but was allowed to march to Monterey. The garrison at San Diego escaped on board a whaler that was in the harbor. Lieutenant Talbot, who was left in charge of Santa Barbara, with ten men, would not surrender though surrounded by two hundred horsemen. They made their way out by night and took to the mountains, where they were hunted for some time by the Californians, who burned over the country to route them out of their hiding place. But a friendly cañon in the pine forest concealed them, until they were found by Cholo, an Indian chief who conducted them to the San Joaquin Valley, from which place they made their way to Monterey, where they arrived half starved, after having traveled five hundred miles.
FLORES' PROCLAMATION.
Almost the whole native population were now in arms. Flores issued a proclamation, in which over three hundred persons joined, as follows :-
" MEXICAN ARMY,
"Section of Operations Angeles, Oct. 1, 1846.
" FELLOW-CITIZENS: It is a month and a half that, by lamentable fatality, fruit of the cowardice and inability of the first authorities of the department, we behold ourselves subjugated and oppressed by an insignificant force of adventurers of the United States of America, and placing us in a worse condition than that of slaves.
"They are dictating to us despotic and arbitrary laws, and loading us with contributions and onerary burdens, which have for an object the ruin of our industry and agriculture, and to force us to abandon our property, to be possessed and divided among themselves.
LOS ALAMOS DRUG STORE
LIVERY FEED & SALEESTABLE
C.D. PATTERSON LIVERY, FEED & SALE STABLE
FEED YARD.
LIVERY FEED & SALE STABLE & STORE C. D. PATTERSON PROPR. LOS ALAMOS SANTA BARBARA CO. CAL.
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THE AMERICAN CONQUEST.
" And shall we be capable to allow ourselves to be subjugated. and to accept by our silence the weighty chains 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 the victims of the most barbarous slavery? Shall we wait to see our wives violated, our innocent children punished by American whips, our property sacked, our temples profaned, and, lastly, to drag through an existence full of insult and shame ? No! a thousand times, no! Countrymen, death first!
" Who of you does not feel his heart beat with vio- lence ? who does not feel his blood boil, to contem- plate our situation; and who will be the Mexican who will not feel indignant and will not rise to take up arms to destroy our oppressors ? We believe there is not one so vile and cowardly.
With such a motive the majority of the inhabitants of the distriets. justly indignant against our tyrants, raise the cry of war, with arms in their hands, and with one accord swear to sustain the following articles :--
"1st. We, the inhabitants of the department of C'ali- fornia, as members of the great Mexican nation, declare that it is and has been our wish to belong to her alone, free and independent.
"2d. Consequently, the authorities intended and named by the invading forces of the United States are held null and void.
"3d. All the North Americans 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 pres- ent plan, are declared traitors and under the pain of death.
"5th. Every Mexican or foreigner who may directly or indirectly aid the enemies of Mexico will be pun- ished in the same manner.
"6th. The property of the North Americans in the department, who may have directly or indirectly taken any point with, or aided 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 oppose the present plan shall be punished with arms.
" 8th. All the inhabitants of Santa Barbara, and the district of the north, will be invited immediately to adhere to the present plan. JOSE MA. FLORES. Camp in Angeles, September 24, 1846."
Some of the beauty and force of this paper may have been lost in the translation, but the style would do honor to any 4th of July orator that ever lived.
EXPEDITION TO THE SOUTH.
The vessels of war were mostly at San Francisco, to which point Commodore Stockton hurried with all speed, and dispatched the frigate Savannah to San Pedro, where Captain Mervine, with about three hundred and twenty men were roughly handled by a large force of mounted Californians about twelve miles from the port. Stockton reaching the place in the frigate Congress a few days after, renewed the attack with better success; but in order to give Fre- mont, who had gone to Santa Barbara, time to meet and co-operate with him, he embarked all his forces and sailed for San Diego, where in trying to enter the harbor the frigate Congress grounded on
the bar. While in this disabled condition the Cali- fornians made an attack on the town. which was repulsed. The prospect was anything but encourag- ing. It was in the rainy season, when the ground was soft, and when there was little grass. To add to the critical circumstances, Fremont was unable to mount his men at Santa Barbara, and was obliged to return to Monterey and gather men and material from the northern part of the territory. Stockton established a fortified camp and set his men making saddles, bridles, harnesses, etc., preparatory to a cam- paign.
APPROACH OF GENERAL KEARNEY.
While in this irksome condition a messenger brought news that General Kearney was approaching and was desirous of opening communication with him. Kear- ney had been sent from the East with orders to co-operate in the conquest of California, but hearing that the conquest was completed, he turned the larger part of the troops south to operate on what was called the northern line. During his march he captured a mail-carrier with two letters which stated that the country was in arms and the Americans driven ont, which he did not credit, though it was true of the southern part of California. He did not expose his weakness, lest, the letter being captured, he might be attacked. Apprehending the situation, however, Stockton dispatched trillespie the same evening with thirty-five men to meet Kearney. On the 6th of December another messenger informed Stockton of an attack at San Pascal with a loss of eighteen men killed and as many more wounded and the loss of one howitzer. He had fortified himself on a rocky eminence, but was nearly destitute of ammunition and supplies. Stockton was on the point of moving with his whole force to meet Kearney when favorable news came; he therefore sent two hundred and fifty men under Lieutenant Gray, who effected a junction with him, and escorted him into the eamp. To illustrate how poorly Stock- ton and his party were prepared for war it may be mentioned that all the available horses were used by Gillespie and his party, and that when Kearney came in Stockton had to receive him on foot. All the machinery for conducting a land campaign were wanting, horses, artillery, ambulances, provisions; all had to be created or gathered from the enemy, but orders were given to start December 28th.
THE MARCH TO LOS ANGELES.
The distance to Los Angeles was 145 miles across sandy plains, adobe hills, and rugged mountains. The entire force consisted of 540 sailors and marines. with sixty of Kearney's dragoons, and six pieces of artillery. The horses were so poor that Captain Turner of the artillery, declined using them, while the draft horses for stores were so poor that many gave out daily. This necessarily made the progress slow and laborious to the men who were obliged to
10
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HISTORY OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY.
expend much labor in moving the trains of baggage and artillery. The well mounted Californians were hovering around watching for an opportunity to sur- prise and cut off straggling detachments; but the dis astrous results attending the loose marching of Capt- ain Mervine on a former occasion, were constantly in view, and a solid front was presented in every direction. Kit Carson, the celebrated scout, had command of a few mounted rangers and kept the little army well informed of the presence or threatening attitude of the enemy. Jannary 9th, Stockton opened communication with Fremont who had succeeded in mounting his men with horses from the Sacramento which had been obtained by Edwin Bryant and others.
FREMONT'S MARCH.
The battalion was made up of his own rangers who had crossed the plains with him, volunteers from the Sacramento, who were mostly recent immigrants and good with a rifle, a few Walla Walla Indians, and some native Californians, numbering altogether 428. Each man carried a rifle, holster-pistols, and sometimes pocket-pistols, and knife. There was no uniform, each one wearing buckskin, Kentucky jeans, or both, as they happened to be provided. The stores were packed on mules, and a drove of five or · six hundred mules were driven along as relays. A hundred cattle were to furnish meat. They began their march the 30th day of November. The rains had softened the trails so that but fifteen miles a day was the average march. The streams which in the summer were dry gorges were now swimming, and the artillery had to be rafted over. The cattle were soon used up, but they found a good supply of sheep at San Luis Obispo, which enabled them to move on. They captured some prisoners, men who were found in arms after having been paroled. Among these was one of the Pico family. An example was con- sidered necessary and Pico was tried by a court mar- tial, and sentenced to be shot. Many of the Califor_ nians paroled at Santa Barbara and other places, had taken up arms. They had, to the number of 200 arose upon Lieutenant Talbot, with his ten men left at Santa Barbara as a garrison. General Flores and Captain de la Torre were among those who had broken their parole. They, with many others had been dismissed with the assurance that themselves and property would not be molested, but war has its disagreeable side. When horses and cattle were wanted they were taken sometimes without even a scrap of paper to show by whom or for what purpose. This rough treatment was considered a sufficient reason for breaking their promise not to serve again, whether justly or not, let military men determine. Pico was condemned to be shot but a procession of women interceded and the man's life was spared. The act won the hearts of the people, and perhaps was a wise measurc. A great number of Californians had assembled at the Gaviota Pass to dispute Fre- mont's passage. This pass is some twelve or fifteen
miles long, and in many places had perpendicular walls of hundreds of feet where rocks might be tumbled down on the passing army without danger to the attacking party. But Fremont was to wary to be caught in this cul de sac. Under the guidance of William Foxen, he passed over the Santa Ynez Mount- ains, some miles to the left. Christmas day he was dragging the cannon up the steep cañons amid a driving rain, which made a torrent of every depres- sion, and swept away many of the animals. He reached the base of the mountain after dark with a portion of his force, but so wet was everything that 10 fire could be kindled. The next day the balance of the force and baggage was brought down, but the loss of animals was so great that the men could not all be mounted. Fremont was somewhat exasper- ated. Half the people of Santa Barbara had broken their parole, and it is said he seriously contemplated the destruction of the town, which, considering the weather would have caused an immense amount of suffering among the women and children. Some of the American citizens, among whom was W. B. Streeter, who had resided there for some years inter- posed on the side of mercy. Captain Noriega and other prominent Californians also interceded and Fremont entered the town in a friendly manner December 27th, and remained encamped there a week, exchanging such civilities with the citizens as the circumstances would permit.
January 5, 1847, he resumed his march. The ship Cyane had been ordered to attend him at the Rincon Pass. This is a narrow pass, overflowed at high tide, between the sea and the mountains which here jut boldly into the sea. The place had often been the scene of stubborn resistance in the petty revolutions of California, but no enemy put in an appearance and it was safely passed. Some miles north of Ventura a body of sixty or seveuty horsemen seemed disposed to dispute their progress, but retired as Fremont pressed toward them, and the San Buenaventura Mis- sion was reached without loss.
VANDALISM.
In a recent publication Fremont is charged with camping in the missions on this campaign and per- mitting his men to use the records of the churches and other costly and valuable manuscripts to build camp-fires. Some of his unlettered followers might have been guilty of vandalism, but the writer can find no reason for charging Fremont with a willful or even indifferent des truction of the records. The San Buenaventura records arc certainly complete. The writer alluded to, presuming upon the impossibility of proving the contrary, draws a very graphic picture of an earthquake, some fifty years since, which shook down all the buildings, and was succeeded by a tidal wave, which swept out to sea the bodies of priest, men, women, and maidens, to become food for sharks, or to be tossed upon the sandy beach to rot in the sun, all of which was duly recorded in the manu-
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