USA > California > The conquest of California and New Mexico, by the forces of the United States, in the years 1846 & 1847 > Part 11
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22
If this be done at once, I can, at any time, safely withdraw my forces as I proceed up the coast to San Francisco, and be ready,
127-
INSURRECTION OF THE INHABITANTS.
after our meeting, on the 25th of October, to leave the desk and the camp, and take to the ship and to the sea.
Faithfully, your obedient servant,
R. F. STOCKTON,
Commander-in-chief, and Governor of the
To MAJOR FREMONT, Territory of California.
California Battalion, Cuidad de los Angeles.
At all the points occupied, defensive works were being erected, particularly at Monterey and San Francisco. At Yerba Buena, settlers were establishing themselves, and all things wore the as- pect of a prosperous settlement.
On the 28th of August, Com. Stockton and Col. Fremont were at Los Angeles, whence, early in September, Col. Fremont went north with only forty men, intending to recruit and return imme- diately. Com. Stockton withdrew all his forces and proceeded with the squadron to San Francisco.
Capt. Gillespie was left in command of the Pueblo de los An- geles, with about thirty riflemen, and Lieut. Talbot in command at Santa Barbara, with only nine men.
Scarcely had Com. Stockton arrived at San Francisco, when he received information that all the country below Monterey was in arms, and the Mexican flag again hoisted.
Our limits do not permit of other than a brief sketch of this contest. Briefly, the Californians rebelled and invested, on the 23d of September, the "City of the Angels," where Capt. Gilles- pie, finding himself and his very few men overpowered by full 300 Californians, capitulated on the 30th following. He thence retired with all the foreigners, aboard the sloop of war, &c., lying at San Pedro, and sailed to Monterey.
Manual Gaspar then marched to Santa Barbara, and summoned Lieut. Talbot to surrender; this he refused, but marched out with his nine men, arms in hand. (As belonging to Col. Fremont's command, Lieut. Talbot is deservedly mentioned in another chapter.)
Com. Stockton sent down, from San Francisco, the frigate Sa-
128 .
CALIFORNIANS DEFEATED.
vannah to relieve the Pueblo de los Angeles, but she arrived a few days after the above events. Our eager tars lost no time, however, and her crew, numbering 320 men, were landed to march to Los Angeles. They met the Californians on a plain near Domingo's Rancho-about half-way from San Pedro and Los Angeles-distant about fifteen miles from the ship. The enemy, mounted on fine horses and with artillery, had every advantage over our brave sailors, who, on foot, and with small arms alone, were forced to retreat with the loss of five killed, and six wounded.
Com. Stockton himself came down in the Congress to San Pedro, whence he took up his march for the "City of the An- gels," dragging up, by hand, six of the ship's guns, (for the Cali- fornians had driven off every animal.) At the Rancho Sepulvida, they met a large force of the enemy ; when, sending 100 men in advance to receive the fire of the Californians, and to fall back on the main body without returning it, Com. Stockton thus decoyed the enemy close up to the main body, formed in a triangle, with the guns hid by the men, and loaded with grape and canister, when the wings were extended, and a most deadly fire opened, by which more than 100 were killed, and more than that number wounded, and the enemy routed, leaving about 100 prisoners, many of whom, thus captured, were at the time on parol, and had before signed an obligation not to take up arms during the war. Their subsequent disposition will be seen elsewhere.
As rapidly as possible, Com. Stockton mounted his men and organized his forces for operations on shore. All the horses were thus taken by one party or the other from the purposes of agricul- ture ; in fact, the emigrants were all more or less enrolled and en- gaged in the contest which was waged in series of skirmishes until January, 1847, when the war was put an end to by a deci- sive action.
Of the efficient and gallant co-operation of Col. Fremont in almost all these, and other important events, we have had to tell elsewhere.
Meanwhile, individual feats of gallantry, a characteristic cou-
129
SETTLEMENT OF THE EMIGRANTS.
rage, activity, and ardour, strongly marked all the operations of our sailors in their novel position ashore.
The fleet had cruised actively along the whole western coast of Mexico, blockading all her ports. Guayamas had been taken by bombardment. Commander Dupont, in the Cyane, had taken four- teen prizes, &c., and had captured, at San Blas, many guns. Lieut. Radford, in command of the boats of the Warren, had gal- lantly cut out of the harbour of Mazatlan, the Mexican vessel of war Malek-Abdel, and various other achievements had signalized their efficiency.
Busy settlements were being formed by emigrants, of whom numbers arrived, and who, marching in arms through the country, acquired, at least, a knowledge of its real value and resources.
On the bay of San Francisco, several towns were located. Yerba Buena, in rivalry with Monterey, was rapidly becoming an important place ; lots, squares, &c., were laid out, and a newspaper established by the leader of the Mormon emigrants, S. Brannon, Esq., entitled "The California Star."
It is to be remembered that our gallant tars carried on this con- test up to this time, almost entirely without the means of transpor- tation, whereby they could "meet the enemy," while the Cali- fornians were mounted on fine horses, and the best riders in the world, and could thus choose their own time, place, and distance of attack.
This warfare was kept up, principally, south of Monterey, and continued until the arrival of Gen. Kearny, when the brilliant events which led to the final conquest of California took place, and are thus described by Com. Stockton :
HEAD-QUARTERS, CUIDAD DE LOS ANGELES, January 11, 1847.
SIR : I have the honour to inform you that it has pleased God to crown our poor efforts to put down the rebellion, and to retrieve the credit of our arms, with the most complete success. The insur- gents determined, with their whole force, to meet us on our march from San Diego to this place, and to decide the fate of the territory by a general battle.
9
130
BATTLE OF SAN GABRIEL.
Having made the best preparation I could, in the face of a boast- ing and vigilant enemy, we left San Diego on the 29th day of De- cember, (that portion of the insurgent army who had been watch- ing and annoying us, having left to join the main body,) with about six hundred fighting men, composed of detachments from the ships Congress, Savannah, Portsmouth, and Cyane, aided by Gen. Kearny, with a detachment of sixty men on foot, from the First Regi- ment of United States Dragoons, and by Capt. Gillespie, with sixty mounted riflemen.
We marched nearly one hundred and forty miles in ten days, and found the rebels, on the 8th day of January, in a strong posi- tion, on the high bank of the "Rio San Gabriel," with six hun- dred mounted men and four pieces of artillery, prepared to dispute our passage across the river.
We waded through the water dragging our guns after us against the galling fire of the enemy, without exchanging a shot until we reached the opposite shore, when the fight became general, and our troops having repelled a charge of the enemy, charged up the bank in a most gallant manner, and gained a complete victory over the insurgent army.
The next day, on our march across the plains of the "Mesa" to this place, the insurgents made another desperate effort to save the capital and their own necks ; they were concealed with their artil- lery in a ravine until we came within gun-shot, when they opened a brisk fire from their field-pieces on our right flank, and at the same time charged both on our front and rear. We soon silenced their guns, and repelled the charge, when they fled, and permitted us the next morning to march into town without any further opposition.
We have rescued the country from the hands of the insurgents, but I fear that the absence of Col. Fremont's battalion of mounted riflemen will enable most of the Mexican officers, who have broken their parole, to escape to Sonora.
I am happy to say that our loss in killed and wounded does not exceed twenty, whilst we are informed that the enemy has lost between seventy and eighty.
This despatch must go immediately, and I will wait another
131
GEN. FLORES' LETTER.
opportunity to furnish you with the details of these two battles, and the gallant conduct of the officers and men under my com- mand, with their names.
Faithfully, your obedient servant,
R. F. STOCKTON, Commodore, &c.
To the Hon. GEORGE BANCROFT,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
P. S. Enclosed I have the honour to send to you a translation of the letter handed to me by the commissioners mentioned in another part of this despatch, sent by Jose Ma. Flores, to negotiate peace honourable to both nations. The verbal answer, stated in another page of this letter, was sent to this renowned general and com- mander-in-chief. He had violated his honour, and I would not treat with him nor write to him.
Gen. Flores' letter is here given :
[Translation.]
Civil and Military government of the department of California.
The undersigned, governor and commandant-general of the department and commander-in-chief of the national troops, has the honour to address himself to the commander-in-chief of the naval and land forces of the United States of North America, to say that he has been informed by persons worthy of credit, that it is proba- ble at this time the differences which have altered the relations of friendship between the Mexican republic and that of the United States of North America have ceased, and that you looked for the news of the arrangement between the two governments by the schooner Shark, expected every moment on this coast.
A number of days have elapsed since the undersigned was invited by several foreign gentlemen settled in the country, to enter into a communication with you, they acting as mediators, to obtain an honourable adjustment for both forces, in consequence of the evils which all feel are caused by the unjust war you wage ; but the duty of the undersigned prohibited him from doing so, and if to-day he steps beyond the limits marked out, by it, it is with the confi- dence inspired by the hope there exists a definitive arrangement
132
PROPOSALS FOR PEACE.
between the two nations ; for the undersigned being animated with the strongest wishes for the return of peace, it would be most pain- ful to him not to have taken the means to avoid the useless effu- sion of human blood and its terrible consequences, during moments when the general peace might have been secured.
The undersigned flatters himself with this hope, and for that reason has thought it opportune to direct to you this note, which ·will be placed in your hands by Messrs. Julian Workman and Charles Fluge, who have voluntarily offered themselves to act as mediators. But if, unfortunately, the mentioned news should prove untrue, and you should not be disposed to grant a truce, to the evils under which this unfortunate country suffers, of which you alone are the cause, may the terrible consequences of your want of consideration fall on your head. The citizens, all of whom compose the national forces of this department, are decided firmly to bury themselves under the ruins of their country, combating to the last moment before consenting to the tyranny and ominous discretionary power of the agents of the government of the United States of North America.
This is no problem ; different deeds of arms prove that they know how to defend their rights on the field of battle.
The undersigned still confides you will give a satisfactory solu- tion to this affair, and in the mean time has the honour of offering to you the assurance of his consideration and private esteem.
God and Liberty ! JOSE MA. FLORES.
HEAD-QUARTERS AT THE ANGELES, Jan. 1, 1847.
General Order.
HEAD-QUARTERS, CUIDAD DE LOS ANGELES,
Jan. 11, 1847.
The commander-in-chief congratulates the officers and men of the southern division of the United States forces in California on the brilliant victories obtained by them over the enemy on the 8th and 9th inst., and on once more taking possession of the "Cuidad de los Angeles."
He takes the earliest moment to commend their gallantry and
133
JOSE MA. FLORES.
good conduct both in the battle fought on the 8th, on the banks of the "Rio San Gabriel," and on the 9th inst. on the plains of the "Mesa."
The steady courage of the troops in forcing their passage across the "Rio San Gabriel," where officers and men were alike em- ployed in dragging the guns through the water against the galling fire of the enemy, without exchanging a shot, and their gallant charge up the banks against the enemy's cavalry, has perhaps never been surpassed ; and the cool determination with which, in the battle of the 9th, they repulsed the charge of cavalry made by the enemy at the same time on their front and rear, has extorted the admiration of the enemy, and deserves the best thanks of their countrymen. R. F. STOCKTON,
Governor and commander-in-chief of the territory of California.
On the 14th, Col. Fremont had arrived, and Com. Stockton wrote as follows :
HEAD-QUARTERS, CUIDAD DE LOS ANGELES, Jan. 15, 1847
SIR : Referring to my letter of the 11th, I have the honour to inform you of the arrival of Lieutenant-colonel Fremont at this place, with 400 men-that some of the insurgents have made their escape to Sonora, and that the rest have surrendered to our arms.
Immediately after the battles of the 8th and. 9th, they began to disperse ; and I am sorry to say that their leader, José Ma. Flores, made his escape, and that the others have been pardoned by a capitulation agreed upon by Lieutenant-colonel Fremont.
José Ma. Flores, the commander of the insurgent forces, two or three days previous to the 8th, sent two commissioners with a flag of truce to my camp, to make "a treaty of peace." I informed the commissioners that I could not recognise José Ma. Flores, who had broken his parole, as an honourable man, or as one having any rightful authority, or worthy to be treated with-that he was a rebel in arms, and if I caught him I would have him shot. It seems that not being able to negotiate with me, and having lost the battles of the 8th and 9th, they met Col. Fremont on the 12th M
134
CAPITULATES TO COL. FREMONT.
instant, on his way here, who, not knowing what had occurred, he entered into the capitulation with them, which I now send to you ; and, although I refused to do it myself, still I have thought it best to approve it.
The territory of California is again tranquil, and the civil go- vernment formed by me is again in operation in the places where it was interrupted by the insurgents.
Col. Fremont has 500 men in his battalion, which will be quite sufficient to preserve the peace of the territory ; and I will im- mediately withdraw my sailors and marines, and sail as soon as possible for the coast of Mexico, where I hope they will give a good account of themselves,
Faithfully, your obedient servant,
R. F. STOCKTON, Commodore, &c.
To the Hon. GEORGE BANCROFT,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
A more detailed narrative of Col. Fremont's action in the matter of the capitulation given below, will be found in the chapter which separately relates his gallant enterprises.
To all to whom these presents shall come, greeting :
Know ye that, in consequence of propositions of peace or cessa- tion of hostilities being submitted to me as commandant of the California battalion of United States forces, which has so far been acceded to by me, as to cause me to appoint a board of commis- sioners to consult with a similar board appointed by the Califor- nians ; and it requiring a little time to close the negotiations, it is agreed upon and ordered by me, that an entire cessation of hostili- ties shall take place until to-morrow afternoon, (January 13th,) and that the said Californians be permitted to bring in their wounded to the mission of San Fernandez, where also, if they choose, they can remove their camp, to facilitate said negotiations. Given under my hand and seal, this 12th day of January, 1847. J. C. FREMONT,
Lieut. Col. U. S. A., and Military Commandant, California.
135
ARTICLES OF CAPITULATION.
The Capitulation.
Articles of capitulation made and entered into at the Ranch of Cowanga, this thirteenth day of January, anno Domini eighteen hundred and forty-seven, between P. B. Reading, major, Louis McLane, jr., commanding artillery, Wm. H. Russell, ordinance officer, commissioners appointed by J. C. Fremont, lieutenant- colonel United States army, and military commandant of the Territory of California, and Jose Antonio Carrillo, commandant -- Esquadron, Agustine Olvera, deputado, commissioners appointed by Don Andres Pico, commander-in-chief of the Californian forces under the Mexican flag :
Art. 1. The commissioners on the part of the Californians agree that their entire force shall, on presentation of themselves to Lieut. Col. Fremont, deliver up their artillery and public arms, and that they shall return peaceably to their homes, conforming to the laws and regulations of the United States, and not again take up arms during the war between the United States and Mexico, but will assist and aid in placing the country in a state of peace and tran- quillity.
Art. 2. The commissioners on the part of Lieut. Col. Fremont agree and bind themselves on the fulfilment of the 1st article by the Californians, that they shall be guarantied protection of life and property whether on parol or otherwise.
Art. 3. That until a treaty of peace be made and signed be- tween the United States of North America and the republic of Mexico, no Californian or other Mexican citizen shall be bound to take the oath of allegiance.
Art. 4. That any Californian or other citizen of Mexico desiring, is permitted by this capitulation to leave the country without let or hindrance.
Art. 5. That in virtue of the aforesaid articles, equal rights and privileges are vouchsafed to every citizen of California as are enjoyed by the citizens of the United States of North America.
Art. 6. All officers, citizens, foreigners, or others, shall receive the protection guarantied by the 2d article.
136
ARTICLES OF CAPITULATION.
Art. 7. This capitulation is intended to be no bar in effecting such arrangements as may in future be in justice required by both parties.
P. B. READING,
Major California Battalion. WM. H. RUSSELL,
Ord. officer of California Bat. LOUIS McLANE, Jr. Commd'g Art., Cailfornia Bat.
JOSE ANTO. CARRILLO, Commandante de Escuadron. AGUSTINE OLVERA,
Deputado.
Approved : J. C. FREMONT,
Lt. Col. U. S. A., and Mil. Com. of California.
Aprobado: ANDRES PICO,
Com. de Escuadron en géfe de las fuerzas nacionales en Californias.
Additional Article.
That the paroles of all officers, citizens, and others of the United States, and of naturalized citizens of Mexico, are by this foregoing capitulation cancelled, and every condition of said paroles from and after this date are of no farther force and effect, and all prisoners of both parties are hereby released.
CUIDAD DE LOS ANGELES, Jan. 16, 1847.
P. B. READING,
Major California Battalion. LOUIS McLANE, Jr.
Commd'g Art. California Bat. WM. H. RUSSELL, Ord. officer of California Bat. JOSE ANTO. CARRILLO, Commandante de Escuadron. AGUSTINE OLVERA, Deputado.
A
GENERAL ORDERS OF COM. SHUBRICK. 137
Approved : J. C. FREMONT,
Lt. Col. U. S. A., and Mil. Com. of California. ANDRES PICO.
Aprobado:
Com. de Escuadron en géfe de las fuerzas nacionales en Californias.
It was here, at the meeting of Com. Stockton and Gen. Kearny, and of Fremont, that misunderstandings as to prerogatives arose.
Gen. Flores fled to Sonora, with some of his officers, and vio- lent measures were not used towards the rest.
On the 23d of January, 1847, the Independence, Com. W. B. Shubrick, arrived at Monterey, when,* in virtue of his rank, he took command of all the naval forces, and on the 1st of February issued the following " general order :"
"The commander-in-chief has great satisfaction in announcing to the inhabitants of Monterey, that from information received from various sources, he has reason to believe that the disorders which have recently disturbed the territory of California are at an end, and that peace and security are restored to this district certainly, and he hopes to the whole territory.
"The improved state of affairs in the district, and the arrival of a company of United States artillery under Capt. Tompkins, has enabled the commander-in-chief to dispense with the services of the company of mounted volunteers, under Lieut. Maddox of the marine corps. The patriotic settlers who composed this company, nobly stepped forward in time of danger, and stood between the flag of the United States, and the defenceless women and children of Monterey on the one hand, and the bands of lawless disturbers of the peace on the other.
"For such disinterested conduct, the company of mounted vo- lunteers, under Lieut. Maddox, of the marine corps, (acting as captain,) is tendered the thanks of the commander-in-chief, and will, without doubt, receive commendation and due recompense from the general government.
* Appendix, No. 12.
M 2
-
138
GENERAL ORDERS OF COM. SHUBRICK.
" Given on board the United States ship Independence, Harbour of Monterey,
"W. BRANDFORD SHUBRICK,. Commander-in-chief."
February 1, 1847.
The Lexington, loaded with twenty-four-pounders, mortars, &c., had arrived, and three other transports, with Col. Stevenson's regi- ment, were shortly expected, at the time of this order.
On the 8th of February, the United States sloop of war, Cyane, arrived in port, and fired the appropriate salute for Com. Shubrick, and, Gen. Kearny being on board, the Cyane received a salute from the Independence.
On the 11th, the following was issued :
General Order.
To all whom it may concern :- The undersigned, commander- in-chief of the naval forces of the United States in the Pacific ocean, in virtue of the authority vested in him by the President of the United States, and taking into consideration the injury caused to the agricultural pursuits of the inhabitants of California, by the late unsettled state of the country, the great demand at present for all articles of provisions, and the probable increase of that demand, directs that for the space of six months from the first of March next, viz. : from the 1st of said month of March, to the Ist of the month of September next, the following articles of pro- visions shall be admitted into the ports of California, free of all charge of duty, viz. : beef, pork, bread, flour, butter, cheese, sugar and rice.
Done, &c., 11th of February, 1847. W. BRANDFORD SHUBRICK, Commander-in-chief.
About the 1st of March, 1847, Com. Biddle arrived in the United States frigate Columbus, from the China seas, and became, in virtue of his rank, commander-in-chief.
The squadron had, as before, been actively engaged in enforcing rigid blockades. The Portsmouth had been employed in taking
139
DIVISION OF AUTHORITY.
possession of the towns in Lower California, on the Gulf, but at no place was there the means of making resistance to our flag.
On the arrival of Com. Biddle, it became known that Com. Shu- brick would retain command of the northern Pacific squadron, and Com. Biddle to come home in July, and that Gen. Kearny would become the governor of California.
The assignment of their respective duties will be seen by the following joint announcement :-
General Order.
To all whom it may concern, be it known-That the Pre- sident of the United States, desirous to give and secure to the people of California a share of the good government and happy civil organization enjoyed by the people of the United States, and to protect them at the same time from the attacks of fo- reign foes, and from internal commotions, has invested the un- dersigned with separate and distinct powers, civil and military ; a cordial co-operation in the exercise of which, it is hoped and be- lieved, will have the happy results desired.
To the commander-in-chief of the naval forces, the President has assigned the regulation of the import trade, with conditions on which vessels of all nations (our own as well as foreign) may be admitted into the ports of the territory, and the establishment of all port regulations.
To the commanding military officer, the President has assigned the direction of the operations on land, and has invested him with administrative functions of government over the people and terri- tory occupied by the forces of the United States.
Done at Monterey, capital of California, this 1st day of March, A. D. 1847.
W. BRANDFORD SHUBRICK, Commander-in-chief of the Naval Forces. S. W. KEARNY, Brig. Gen. U. S. A. and Governor of California.
Monterey was fixed upon by Gen. Kearny and Com. Shubrick as the temporary seat of government.
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.