USA > California > Los Angeles County > Los Angeles > Los Angeles from the mountains to the sea : with selected biography of actors and witnesses to the period of growth and achievement, Volume I > Part 15
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They are dictating to ns despotic and 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 ns to abandon our property to be possessed and divided among themselves.
And shall we be capable to allow ourselves to be subju- gated, 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 victims of the most barbarous slavery? Shall we wait to see our wives violated- our innocent children punished by the American whips-our property sacked-our temples profaned-and lastly, to drag through an existence full of insult and shame? No! a thon- sand times no! Countrymen, first death !
Who of you 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 be- lieve there is not one so vile and 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 follow- ing articles :
1. We, the inhabitants of the department of California, as members of the great Mexican nation, declare that it is, and has been, our wish to belong to her alone, free and inde- pendent.
2. Consequently the authorities intended and named by the invading forces of the United States are held null and void.
3. All the North Americans being enemies of Mexico, we swear not to lay down our arms till they are expelled from Mexican territory.
4. All Mexican citizens, from the age of fifteen to sixty,
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who do not take up arms to forward the present plan, are declared traitors and under pain of death.
5. Every Mexican or foreigner who may directly or in- directly aid the enemies of Mexico will be punished in the same manner.
6. The property of the North Americans in the depart- ment, who may directly or indirectly have taken part 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.
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 pres- ent plan.
[Signed] JOSE MA. FLORES.
Camp Angeles, September 24, 1846.
This proclamation was signed by more than 300 persons.
CHAPTER IX
WHEN UNCLE SAM STEPPED IN
All the books that have been written about California con- tain, 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 re- nowned 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 Mexi- can 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 Stock- ton and General Kearney with 600 men, camped at the gates of the pueblo of Los Angeles, then a community of a popula- tion 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 over- looking Main Street; the rest quartered as comfortably as
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possible. On the 14th, Col. J. C. Fremont marched in from Cahuenga, his battalion "a body of fine looking men in gen- eral 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 thereafter, hundreds of persons every fine Sunday afternoon of early spring might be seen there, culling the wild flowers or gazing over the beau- tiful panorama of mountain and plain and sea. A very long time passed before it began to have charming residences. January 18th, General Kearny, with his dragoons afoot and almost shoeless, and after the casualties of their hard campaigns, scarcely more than fifty in number, marched for San Diego. Captains Emory and Turner, Lieutenants Da- vidson and Warner, and Doctor Griffin, returned with him. Commodore Stockton followed the next day.
The battle-ground of January 8th is at 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 com- pany advanced under Capt. Juan Bautista Moreno. Don Francisco Cota, bearing the Mexican standard, placed him- self at its head, and the column dashed down the precipitous hill, about seventy in number, upon the close ranks of Stock- ton. The sailors received them with a terrible fire. The other company reached the brow of the hill to follow their com- rades, when Don Diego Sepulveda, acting upon his own judg- ment, ordered a halt, advanced alone, and commanded a re- treat. He was aid of Flores. This feat was accomplished by Captain Moreno under heavy fire, but without further loss than a severe wound which he received. Two had been mor- tally wounded by the first fire of the sailors, namely, Ygnacio
SHEU RĐỒNG.
Vol. 1-11
PRESENT APPEARANCE OF COMMODORE STOCKTON'S HEADQUARTERS NEAR THE PLAZA
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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, Alferez 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 Cal- ifornians, so agile on horseback, 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 Johnson 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 up- braiding impelling father, brother, husband, lover, to resist- ance. Happily they were the first in January to bow grace- fully 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 experi- ence and skill; and the like conviction has often been attrib- uted to Gen. Andres Pico. But the untamed spirit of the majority at first did not stop to reason upon the consequences. Honor and love of country threw away cold calculation and military caution.
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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 California-Doña Do- lores Zamorano, daughter of Don Angustin 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 Californian 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 bat- talion reached the Mission of San Diego, January 29th; Ste- phen C. Foster was his interpreter. March 17th, with Com- pany C, First Dragoons, and four companies 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. Captain 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 Angust he was appointed agent for the Indians, who, espe- cially in San Diego County, had done much damage upon the ranchos.
A pleasant reminiscence there is of Don Juan Abila. Doc- tor Griffin made his ride within two days and a half from San
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Diego, in consequence of Colonel Cook's order. At the Alisos rancho his horse was too jaded to proceed. Don Juan imme- diately gave him-not a bronco, 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 identi- fied 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 Pascual, 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 Lient. T. H. Hammond. Com- panions 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, Lient. Col. H. S. Burton having obtained neces- sary 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 main- tained, 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 after- ward served on the Pacific Coast several years and in the Civil war. He died with the rank of major general. His widow, Doña Ampara de Burton, and son Harry and daugh- ter Nellie resided in San Diego County. Captain Steele went to live in Scott's Valley, California. Captain Matsell after- ward was a merchant at the City of San Diego, afterward
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residing in New York. Of the privates in this daring service four came to Los Angeles: Messrs. Peter Thompson, James O'Sullivan, Angust 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 reinforcements. But by this time the better portion of the people had become convinced that further opposition must be unavailing. Their cherished institution-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) au- thenticated 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 Sala- zar; second alcalde, Don Enrique Abila; regidores (council- men), 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, econ- omy and zeal for the public good. Owing to misunderstand- ings between this body and the military commandant, Colonel Stevenson, at the end of December it was dissolved by Gov. R. B. Mason, and Jannary 1, 1848, S. C. Foster, alcalde by mil- itary appointment, took the place of the ayuntameinto, with like jurisdiction 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 ex- pedient to keep up the toma (dam) so necessary for the culti- vation of the 103 vineyards and gardens then existing. In February, after his appointment, by a measure firmly executed at insignificant cost to each proprietor, Foster put it in a
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condition that was not disturbed until the great freshet of 1861-62.
A thousand things combined to smooth the asperities of war. Fremont had been 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 suppers, balls, visiting in town and country, the hours glided away with pleasant reflections. For hospitality the families were un- rivaled 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 An- geles 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 everything into considera- tion, 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, Doña Refugio, had thrown open their mansion to Commodore 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
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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 commo- dore gave an elegant blowout on board of the Congress. The decorations were the flags of all nations; the ship's deck de- cidedly 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 Doña 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 California.
In the same month, or July, ex-Governor Pio Pico returned to Los Angeles from Guaimas, having effected nothing dur- ing his absence of two years. The Mexican government neg- lected all his representations, and finally refused to permit him or his secretary, Don Jose Matias Moreno, to visit the capital. It was a patriotie 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 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
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in the Mediterranean and other seas. California owes to him its first press and first public schoolhouse under American rule. In 1851 he represented his native state in the U. S. Senate, and succeeded in having the passage of a law abolish- ing flogging in the navy. He died October 7, 1866.
Gen. Stephen Watts Kearny was born at Newark, New Jersey, August 30, 1794. In June, 1846, he was made briga- dier 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. Lonis, Missouri, October 31, 1848.
There is a deep fascination in those colorful events which witnessed the passing of the City of Los Angeles from Mex- ican 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 exceedingly interesting entries :
January 6 .- Today we made a long march (from San Diego) of 19 miles to the upper Santa Anna, 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 Califor- nians, 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.
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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.
The Santa Anna 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 ob- tained 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 respectively; the guard and a company of volunteer carbiniers in the rear; our cattle and the wagon train in the centre, maknig for them, what the
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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 meas- ure 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 cav- alry, 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 flow- ing 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.
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