History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 6

Author: Sawyer, Eugene T
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Los Angeles : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1934

USA > California > Santa Clara County > History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches > Part 6

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).

JOSE CASTRO,

"Headquarters, Santa Clara, June 17. 1846."

The second proclamation promises to pro- tect all Americans who shall refrain from tak- ing part in the revolutionary movements and winds up as follows: "Let the fortune of war take its chance with those ungrateful men, who with arms in their hands have attacked the country, without recollecting they were treated by the undersigned with all the indul- gence of which he is so characteristic. The in- habitants of the Department are witnesses of the truth of this. I have nothing to fear, my duty leads me to death or victory. I am a Mexican soldier and I will be free and inde- pendent, or I will gladly die for these inesti- mable blessings."

As there were rumors afloat that General Castro was on his way with a large party of Mexicans, to attack the garrison at Sonoma, Fremont, with force augmented, hastened to the relief of his compatriots. Ile arrived at Sonoma on the morning of June 25, having made forced marches. There he found that Castro had not carried out his threat, but had placidly remained near San Jose, carefully guarded by his soldiers.

About this time a small party intended for service under the Bear Flag, had been re- cruited by Capt. Thomas Fallon, then of Santa

Cruz, but afterward a long-time resident of San Jose. This company, consisting of twenty- two men, crossed the Santa Cruz Mountains, entered the Santa Clara Valley at night and halted about three miles from San Jose at the rancho of Grove C. Cook. Here Fallon learned that Castro, with a force of 200 men, was close at hand. Therefore, believing discretion to be the better part of valor, he fell back into the mountains and there encamped.

At sunset on June 27, Castro, placing him- self at the head of his army, marched out of Santa Clara to chastise the Sonoma insurg- ents. Passing around the head of San Fran- cisco Bay he reached the San Leandro Creek from whence he dispatched three men to re- connoiter. They were to cross the bay in boats. On the water they were captured and shot. As they did not return Castro, guessing what had happened and fearing a like fate for himself, marched his company back to Santa Clara.

War With Mexico Declared

' In the meantime great events had been oc- curring without. The United States had de- clared war against Mexico, General Scott. after a series of brilliant exploits, had captured the City of Mexico and Commodore John Drake Sloat was approaching Monterey. On July 7. 1846, Monterey was taken and the American flag hoisted over the town. Two days later Henry Pitts, courier for Commo- dore Sloat, rode into San Jose, and after an- nouncing the triumph of American arms, sought out General Castro and delivered to the redoubtable Mexican warrior Commodore Sloat's communication. After reading it Cas- tro, with moody brow, called out his men and forming in line in front of the Juzgado, or Hall of Justice on Market Street, shouted, "Monte- rey is taken by the Americans," and then pro- ceeded to read the written words of the Com- modore.

"To the inhabitants of California-

"The central troops of Mexico having com- menced hostilities against the United States of America by invading its territory and attack- ing the troops of the United States stationed on the north side of the Rio Grande, with a force of 7,000 men under command of General Arista, which army was totally destroyed and all their artillery, baggage, etc., captured on the 8th and 9th of May last by a force of 2,300 men under the command of General Taylor, and the city of Matamoras taken and occu- pied by the forces of the United States, and the two nations being actually at war by this transaction, I shall hoist the standard of the United States at Monterey immediately and shall carry it through California.

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

"I declare to the inhabitants of California. that although I come in arms with a powerful force. I do not come as an enemy to California. I come as their best friend, as henceforth Cal- ifornia will be a portion of the United States and its peaceable inhabitants will enjoy the same rights and privileges they now enjoy together with the privilege of choosing their own magistrates and other officers for the ad- ministration of justice among themselves, and the same protection will be extended to them as to any other state in the Union. They will also enjoy a permanent government under which life and property and the constitutional right and lawful security to worship the Cre- ator in the way most congenial to each one's sense of duty, will be secured to which, unfor- tunately, the Central Government of Mexico cannot afford them, destroyed, as her resources are, by internal factions and corrupt officers who create constant revolutions to pro- mote their own interests and oppress the people. Under the flag of the United States California will be free from all such troubles and expenses ; consequently, the country will rapidly advance and improve, both in agricul- ture and commerce ; as, of course, the revenue laws will be the same in California as in all other parts of the United States, affording them all manufactures and produce of the United States free of any duty, and for all for- eign goods at one-quarter the duty they now pay. A great increase in the value of real es- tate and the products of California may be anticipated.

"With the great interest and kind feelings I know the government and people of the United States possess toward the people of California, the country cannot but improve more rapidly than any other on the continent of America.

"Such of the inhabitants, whether native or foreign, as may not be disposed to accept the high privileges of citizenship and to live peace- ably under the government of the United States, will be allowed time to dispose of their property and remove out of the country, if they choose, without any restriction; or re- main in it observing strict neutrality.

"With full confidence in the honor and in- tegrity of the inhabitants of the country, I invite the judges, alcaldes and other civil of- ficers to execute their functions as heretofore, that the public tranquility be not disturbed, at least, until the government of the territory can be definitely arranged.

"All persons holding titles to real estate, or in quiet possession of lands under color of right, shall have these titles guaranteed to them. All churches, and the property they

contain, in possession of the clergy of Califor- nia, shall continue in the same right and pos- session they now enjoy.

"All provisions and supplies of every kind furnished by the inhabitants for the use of the United States ships and soldiers, will be paid for at fair rates, and no private property will be taken for public use without just compen- sation at the moment.

"JOHN D. SLOAT, "Commander-in-Chief of the U. S. Naval Force in the Pacific Ocean."

'The reading of the foregoing concluded, General Castro is said to have exclaimed, "What can I do with a handful of men against the United States? I am going to Mexico. All who wish to follow me, right-about-face. All who wish to remain can go to their homes." Only a very few chose to follow Castro into Mexico, whither he proceeded on the following day, first taking prisoner, Charles M. Weber, a merchant, and not releas- ing him until Los Angeles was reached.

Upon hearing of Castro's departure Captain Fallon left his camp in the Santa Cruz Moun- tains, marched into San Jose, seized the Juz- gado and arrested Dolores Pacheco, the al- calde. He caused Pacheco to surrender the keys and pueblo archives as well, and ap- pointed James Stokes justice of the peace. On July 13 he hoisted an American flag on the staff in front of the court house, the first flag of the Union to wave in Santa Clara county. While in San Jose Fallon received the follow- ing communications from Captain Montgom- ery, stationed at Yerba Buena (San Fran- cisco) :

"U. S. Ship Portsmouth, "Yerba Buena, July 13, 1846

"Sir: I have just received your letter with a copy of Mr. James Stokes' appointment as justice of the peace of the pueblo: also a dis- patch from the commander-in-chief of the U. S. Naval Forces at Monterey, for which I thank you. By the bearer of them I return a dispatch for Commodore Sloat, which I hope you will have an opportunity of forwarding to Monterey.

"I received your letter of July 12 and wrote to you, by the bearer of it, on the 13th in an- swer advising you by all means to hoist the flag of the United States at the Pueblo of St. Joseph (San Jose) as you expressed to do. If you had sufficient force to maintain it there ; of course you understand that it is not again to be hauled down.

"Agreeable to your request I send you a proclamation, in both languages, from the Commander-in-Chief, which I shall be glad to have distributed as far and generally as pos-

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

sible ; and be pleased to assure all persons of the most perfect security from injuries to their persons or property, and endeavor by every means in your power to inspire them with confidence in the existing authorities and gov- ernment of the United States.

"I am, sir, your ob't servant, " JOHN B. MONTGOMERY,

"Commanding U. S. Ship Portsmouth.

"To Capt. Thomas Fallon, Pueblo of St. Joseph, L'pper California."

"U. S. Ship Portsmouth, "Yerba Buena, July 18, 1846.

"Sir I have just received your letter with the official dispatch from Commodore Sloat, which has been accidentally delayed one day in its transmission from the pueblo and am much obliged to you for sending it to me.

"I amı gratified to hear that you have hoisted the flag of our country and cannot but feel assured, as I certainly hope, that your zealous regard for its honor and glory will lead you nobly to defend it there.

"I am, sir, your ob't servant, "JOHN B. MONTGOMERY, "Commander.

"To Capt. Thomas Fallon at the Pueblo San Jose, Upper California."

Before the arrival at Monterey of Commo- dore Sloat it was believed in many quarters that the English government had a covetous eye on California. John Parrott, a prominent citizen of San Francisco, was in Mexico in the spring of 1846, and in a position to learn something of British intentions. Ascertaining that a movement was about to be made to hoist the English flag over the capitol at Monterey, he sent a courier to Commodore Sloat warn- ing him that England was about to steal a march on the United States. The commo- dore immediately went to sea. He reached Monterey Bay, and as has been related, hoist- ed the American flag over the capitol on July 7, 1846. Admiral Seymour, of the British navy, arrived soon afterward, but having no authority to inaugurate hostilities with the United States, was powerless.

The necessity of holding San Jose induced Captain Montgomery to dispatch the purser of the Portsmouth, Watmough, to the pueblo with thirty-five marines, as soon as it was learned that Fallon had gone south. He made his headquarters at the Juzgado and strength- ened his command by the enlistment of a few volunteers. The tide of war, however, had flowed southward, and with the exception of a short expedition against the Indians of the San Joaquin Valley, the military operations

did not amount to much. Watmough return- ed to his vessel in October.

At this time Commander Hull of the U. S. sloop of war Warren, was in command of the northern district of California and from him issued commissions to Charles M. Weber as captain and John M. Murphy as lieutenant of a company to be enlisted in the land service to serve during the war. They raised a com- pany of thirty and established headquarters in an adobe building on the east side of what is now known as Lightston Street. This com- pany did good service in scouting the country and preventing depredations by the straggling remnants of Castro's command and in securing supplies for the use of the troops.

About the time Weber and Murphy receiv- ed their commissions a body of emigrants ar- rived at Sutter's Fort where they were met by Captain Smith, of Fremont's Battalion, who had been detailed as a recruiting officer. Among the emigrants was Joseph Aram, who afterwards became an honored resident of Santa Clara County. Aram immediately en- listed and was appointed a captain. With his volunteers he proceeded to escort the families of the emigrants to Santa Clara where he made his headquarters in November. The ac- commodations were very inadequate and the season being a rough one, fourteen died before February and many more became seriously ill. Captain Aram had a force of thirty-one men and hearing that a Colonel Sanchez with a large force of mounted Mexicans was threat- ening the Santa Clara Mission, he proceeded to put it in as good a condition for defenses as his means would permit. Wagons and even branches cut from the trees on the Alameda were used as barricades across the various approaches.

At the time Captain Aram took possession of the Mission, Captain Mervin of the U. S. Navy sent Lieutenant Pinckney, of the Savan- nah, and sixty men to reinforce Weber and Murphy at San Jose. On the afternoon of November 2, this force took possession of the Juzgado and transformed it into a barracks, entrenching the position by breastworks and a ditch. Videttes were stationed on all the roads and a sentinel was posted on the Guad- alupe bridge. In addition to these precautions Weber and Murphy's company were almost continually in the saddle, scouting the country in all directions. This was absolutely neces- sary as the Mexican Sanchez, with a large force, was hovering around the valley picking up stragglers and looking for a favorable op- portunity for a sudden attack. At the same time the Americans were anxious to meet Sanchez on a fair field, but the Mexican's

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

movements were so erratic that he could not be brought to bay.

In the first days of September, Sanchez, by means of an ambush, surprised and captured Lieutenant W. A. Bartlett of the U. S. sloop Warren. Bartlett was then acting as alcalde at San Francisco. He, with five men, were out looking for supplies of cattle and reached a point near the Seventeen Mile House in what is now San Mateo County, when San- chez and his men dashed out from the brush and made the Americans prisoners. Martin Corcoran, afterwards a prominent resident of San Jose, was with the captured party. The prisoners were taken to Sanchez camp among the redwoods in the footbills of the Santa Cruz Range. Word was brought to San Jose that Sanchez was somewhere in the northern part of the valley and Weber and Murphy, with their company, started out in pursuit. After advancing a few miles they learned that Sanchez had received large accessions to his force and was occupying a strong position in the hills back of San Mateo. Captain Weber's little company being too small to render an attack advisable, the march was continued to San Francisco, where Weber reported to the Commander.

As soon as Weber had passed on, Sanchez came out of the hills and encamped on the Hig- uera ranch, north of San Jose. Two days later he started for the pueblo thinking he could capture it without a fight as Weber's defenders had gone. He took up a position on the Alma- den road, south of town and sent in a flag of truce, demanding surrender and stating that he had with him two hundred men whose eagerness for battle could with difficulty be restrained; but if the American forces would leave San Jose they would be permitted to depart unmolested. Lieutenant Pinckney re- fused the offer, doubled his guards and pre- pared for battle. That night was one of great anxiety to the little band behind the intrench- ments on Market Street. Every one was on the alert and although each nerve was strung to the utmost tension there was no flinching. During the night Sanchez circled round the town and carefully inspected the position of the Americans from every point. When he saw the preparations made for his reception, his heart failed him and he rode off with his command and went into camp about five miles north of Santa Clara. He kept with him Lieu- tenant Bartlett and his men. At that time J. Alexander Forbes, the acting British Consul was at Santa Clara. Taking a small English flag in his hands, Mr. Forbes visited the camp of Sanchez for the purpose of negotiating for the release of the prisoners. Sanchez was will- ing that Bartlett might go with Forbes, but

would not consent that Bartlett should go to the Americans unless they would deliver up Capt. C. M. Weber in his place. Forbes com- municated this proposition to the Commander at San Francisco and pending a reply took Bartlett to Santa Clara. Word came quickly that Sanchez' proposition could not be enter- tained and Bartlett was returned to the Mexi- can camp.

During this time Weber's force in San Fran- cisco was joined by other forces, and placed under the command of Capt. Ward Marston, U. S. Marine Corps, of the Savannah. The composition of this small army was as fol- lows: Thirty-four marines commanded by Lient. Robert Tansell ; a six pound ship's gun and ten men commanded by Master William F. D. Gough, assisted by Midshipman John Kell; the San Jose Volunteers, a body of thirty-three mounted men nuder command of Capt. Chas. M. Weber and Lieut. John M. Murphy with James F. Reed, seeking relief for the Donner party, as second lieutenant ; Yerba Buena Volunteers under command of Capt. William F. Smith and a detachment of twelve men under command of Capt. J. Martin. The whole force numbered 101 men. They left San Francisco and on January 2, 1847, came in sight of Sanchez' forces about four miles north of Santa Clara. The Mexican force was about 250 men but notwithstanding the odds were two to one against them the Americans advanced to the attack with confidence and enthusiasm. Sanchez, whose scouts had brought him intelligence of the aproach of the troops from San Francisco, first sent his pri- soners toward the Santa Cruz Mountains and then with great show of valor made ready for battle. As soon as the Americans came in sight of the enemy they pressed foward for an attack. Sanchez fell back and the Ameri- cans continued to advance. They brought their one piece of artillery into position but at the third round it was dismounted by the recoil and half buried in the mud. The infan- try however, kept up a hot fire, whenever they could get in range, which owing to the extreme caution of the Mexicans, was not often. A good deal of ground was thus tra- versed until finally Sanchez made a strong demonstration around the right flank of the Americans, hoping by this maneuver to cut off and stampede a large band of horses that were in the charge of the United States troops.

The reports of the artillery and the volleys of the musketry had aroused the people of the Mission of Santa Clara. They ascended the house tops to witness the battle. Capt. Aram, with the men under his command wished to join the conflict, but as all the women and children of the country were under American

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

military protection, Aram did not feel at liberty to abandon them, especially as Sanchez in his retrograde movement, was approaching the Mission. But when the Mexicans made the demonstration on the American right, he marched his men with speed to attack San- chez' right wing. At the same time, Weber and Murphy's company charged, the combined forces driving the Mexicans from the field and toward the Santa Cruz Mountains while the Americans marched in triumph to the Mission. The Mexican loss was four men killed and four wounded. The Americans had two men slightly wounded.

Soon after Sanchez had been driven from the field he sent in to the Mission a flag of truce offering a conditional surrender. The reply was that the surrender must be uncondi- tional. Sanchez replied that he would die rather than surrender except on the conditions proposed by him. At last a cessation of hos- tilities was agreed upon until such time as his proposition could be submitted to the Com- mander of the district at San Francisco.

During the armistice and the day after the battle, January 3, Capt. Aram went to the Mexican corral to look for some horses that had been stolen from the Americans. While in the Mexican camp word was brought in that another American force was advancing from the direction of the Santa Cruz Mount- ains. Sanchez, who seemed in great fear of an attack. requested Capt. Aram to go out and meet them and inform them of the armistice. As no reinforcements were expected from that direction Aram could not imagine what this force could be, but he rode out to meet them. The acting British Consul, J. Alexander Forbes, accompanied him. It seems that the hope that England would take a hand in the affairs of California was not entirely aban- doned, for as Lieutenant Murphy stated. Forbes carried with him, concealed under his saddle, a small British flag, presumably for the purpose of invoking the aid of the strangers should they prove to be English. Several of the men in the escort saw the flag and said afterward that had an attempt been made to induce British interference, the bearer of the flag would not have survived to tell the story of his negotiations. As it happened, however, the new party proved to be a force of fifty nine men under command of Capt. Maddox of the U. S. Navy. They were disap- pointed to hear of the armistice but respected its conditions. Three days after this event a courier arrived from San Francisco inform- ing Capt. Marston that Sanchez' surrender must be unconditional.

On the next day, the 7th, Lieutenant Gray- son arrived at the Mission with another rein-

forcement of fifteen men and on the 8th San- chez unconditionally surrendered his entire force. His men were allowed to return to their homes, which the majority of them did, to afterward become good citizens of the United States. Sanchez was taken to San Francisco and for a time was held prisoner of war on board the Savannah.

The battle of Santa Clara was the last of the hostilities in this county. The theater of war was transferred to the south and no hostile gun was afterward fired in the beautiful Val- ley of Santa Clara. But few months elapsed after this engagement before the soldiers on both sides were mingled together in the friendliest kind of business and social re- lations. This will not seem remarkable when it is remembered that the inhabitants of Cali- fornia had, for years, been dissatisfied with their relations to the Mexican Government. They had contemplated a revolution and had, in a manner, accomplished it when they drove Micheltorena from the country. It is true they had no love for the United States, but that government having taken possession of the country, they accepted the situation as being much better than their former condition, al- though not what they had hoped to achieve. The equal justice which was administered by the Americans soon reconciled them to their lot and in a few years they congratulated themselves over the fact that things were much better than they had expected.

Hostilities between the United States and Mexico ceased early in 1848 and on February 2nd of that year the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed. By its terms California was ceded to the conquerors. This treaty was ratified by the President of the United States on March 16, was exchanged at Queretaro on May 30, and was proclaimed by the President on July 4th.

California was now the property of the United States but had neither territorial nor state organization. In fact it had no territor- ial existence until 1849. During this time its af- fairs were administered by the senior military officers stationed in California. These military governors were: Commodore John D. Sloat. July 7, 1846; Commodore Robert F. Stock- ton, August 17, 1846: Col. John C. Fremont, January 1847; Gen. Stephen W. Kearney, March, 1847 ; Col. Richard B. Mason, May 31, 1847; Gen. Bennett Riley, April 13, 1849.

Capt. Thomas Fallon, who raised the first American flag in the Santa Clara Valley, ac- companied Fremont in the pursuit of Pio Pico. .After the war ended he took up his residence in San Jose, erecting what was then consid- ered the finest mansion in the pueblo. It stood on San Pedro Street at its junction with what

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

is now San Augustine Street and extended back to Chabolla Alley. The grounds were spacious and were planted in fruit trees and flowering plants. Here the hospitable captain kept open house for years. He had three daughters by his first wife, a native of Mex- ico. They were looked upon as the three beauties of the pueblo. The oldest, Anita, married John T. Malone, who was a graduate of Santa Clara College and a lawyer of stand- ing and ability. While he was deputy district attorney he was seized with the stage fever. Abandoning the law he studied for the stage and in the early eighties made his professional debut in San Francisco appearing as "Romeo" to the "Juliet" of Miss Eleanor Calhoun. a San Jose girl, who had adopted the stage as a pro- fession and who is now (1922) the wife of Prince Lazarovitch of Serbia. Malone starred several years in the East, and was secretary of the Players' Club, New York City when he died. His wife became an actress before his death. Another of Captain Fallon's daughters married Nat T. Brittain, a prominent San Fran- cisco clubman. In 1862 Fallon ran for state senator on the Democratic ticket but was beaten by Joseph G. Wallis, of Mayfield, Re- publican. In 1867 he was the successful candi- date for county treasurer, defeating Moody, Republican, by sixty-one votes. He held no other important public office.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 6

Author: Sawyer, Eugene T Publication date: 1922 Publisher: Los Angeles : Historic Record Co. Number of Pages: 1934

Author: Sawyer, Eugene T
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Los Angeles : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1934