El Dorado County History Historical Souvenir of El Dorado County California with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of its Prominentmen and Pioneers. Oakland 1883. Paolo Sioli, Publisher. Compiled by P. Sioli. Transcribed by Peggy Hooper, Oct 2009. This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor, OR the legal representative of the submitter. All persons donating to this site retain the rights to their own work. CHAPTER VI. THE BEAR FLAG WAR. Immigration in 1841 - Petition to Form a Coalition of Foreigners - C. M. Weber Appointed Captain of Auxiliary Infantry - John C. Fremont's Arrival at Sutter's Fort - He Meets Castro at Monterey � Fremont Summoned to Appear Before the Alcalde at San Jose - His Response - Meeting an Officer with Eighty Lancers on the Road - Entrenched Camp on Hawk's Peak � The American Flag � Consul Th. O. Larkin Active - Resuming the Route for Oregon � Indians Punished Near Lassen's Trading Post - Meeting of Fremont and Gillespie - Retrotranslation of Secret Dispatches to Fremont - First Hostilities Introducing the Bear Flag War - Sonoma Taken, and Prisoners Sent to Sutter's Fort - Mysterious Disappearance of Four Men of the Garrison Sent on an Errand - Cowie and Fowler's Fate - Lieutenant Ford's Skirmishing Trip - A False Spy Caught, and the California Force Allowed to Escape - Fremont Crosses the Bay and Spikes the Guns of the Presidio - Dr. Semple Takes Fort San Joaquin� Declaration of Independence at Sonoma - The Bear Flag - Sloat Outruns Seymour - Hoisting of the American Flag at Monterey and Yerba Buena - Sloat's Proclamation. The emigration from the Western States, across the plains, commenced to become quite a remarkable object in 1841, but to the greater part was enrouted for localities further north. Two large parties, however, arrived in that year, one by the route of Santa Fe, under charge of William Workman, reached Los Angeles in November, 1841, another came by the way of Humboldt river, and found a pass cross over the Sierra Nevada mountains, leading into the San Joaquin valley, from where they arrived at Dr. Marsh's ranch, in Contra Costa county, November 4th, the same year. Captain J. B. Bartelson was in command of this last one; and of the men who made themselves prominent in the history of California we mention William Knight, of Knight's Landing; Yolo county, Thomas Lindsey, Dr. Gamble, William Gordon, John Roland, from the former, John Bidwell, Charles M. Weber, Joseph B. Chiles, T. Belden, Green McMahon, R. H. Thomas and others from the latter. After 1841, the immigration into the territory from the United States as well as from other countries increased materially, and the American consul at Monterey, Thomas O. Larkin, estimated the foreign population of California in 1846, at 2,000 Americans, 3,000 foreigners, favorable to the United States, and 3,000 foreigners neutral or unfavorable to the United States. Under date of March 27, 1845, Dr. Marsh and C. M. Weber, supported by a number of foreign citizens, circulated a petition between the foreign population, to the effect, that in case another war (broiling already in the air) should break out, and to avoid the possibility to place this foreign element in arms against each other to form a coalition, to stand together for themselves in the coming events, with the silent plan to wrest from the Mexican government, if not the whole of California, so at least the northern part, limited by the San Francisco, San Pablo and Suisun bays to the south, and the San Joaquin river to the southeast, forming an independent lone-star State, to be incorporated eventually into the American Union. They felt instinctively the necessity of leaning towards a government that recognized civil equality, and had strength and power sufficient to assure protection, something that could not be found with the Mexican government. The meeting, however, did not encourage the petitioners to go to any more trouble. Here we have to record an occurrence that really resulted out of the events connected with Micheltorena ; but as entirely private, it may take place here just as well. On April 12, 1845, Jose Castro signed the appointment of Charles M. Weber as captain of auxiliary infantry, with the command of the northern frontier, as a reward for assistance rendered, resulting in the defeat of Micheltorena, near San Jose, and Weber's consequent arrest at Sutter's Fort, New Helvetia. John C. Fremont, brevet-captain in the corps of the United States Topographical Engineers, started on a third tour across the continent in the spring of 1845, with special charges to look out for a route from the Rocky Mountains to the mouth of the Columbia river. Under his command was a company of sixty frontiersmen, including six Delaware Indians. Kit Carson accompanied the party as guide. Before reaching the Sierra Nevada mountains Fremont had divided his forces, one part under T. Talbot, sent further south to search for a pass while Fremont himself piloted by Kit Carson, crossed the mountains from Carson river valley south of Lake Tahoe, and entered California, passing through El Dorado county, following the divide between South and Middle forks of the American river, and reached Sutter's Fort, on December 10, 1845. On January 7th, Fremont left Sutter's Fort, moving up the San Joaquin valley with the intention to meet Talbot at the rendezvous agreed to by both ; but failing to find Talbot he returned to the fort and proceeded by water to Yerba Buena, and further on to San Jose, and sent Carson to guide Talbot, from whom he got word at the latter place. After another visit to Yerba Buena he went on to Monterey, leaving his party to halt at Captain Fisher's ranch, about one hundred miles from that place, to see General Castro, the Mexican commander, to whom he was introduced by the American Consul, Thomas O. Larkin, at Monterey. Fremont asked Castro's permission to stay in the San Joaquin valley with his men until they would have recovered sufficiently to take up the voyage towards Oregon. Castro consented to this and told him he might go where he pleased, but could not be moved to sign a written statement, intimating that the word of a Mexican officer was as good as a written statement. Fremont, after joining his command again at San Jose, returned on the nearest way toward Monterey instead of proceeding in the direction of the San Joaquin valley; because, as he explained, he could not get those provisions and supplies necessary for his force at San Jose, while he was able to get them at Monterey. This excuse is quite insufficient, and leaves reason to believe that he had got private instructions from the government concerning the acquisition of California. Fremont not acting in full accord with the privilege stipulated between him and Castro, and considering that he was fully informed about the strength and feeling of the foreign element of the population, would seem to justify General Castro in ordering him out of the territory, but for the little tricks the Spaniards had enacted, we give the facts in detail in the following : While on their halt at Fisher's ranch, a Mexican passing by recognized one or some of the animals belonging to Fremont's command, and claimed that they had been stolen, whereupon he promptly was hurried away, but he went to the alcalde of San Jose for complaint and to cause legal proceedings before the civil tribunal of that officer, Don Dolores Pacheco. By means of a summons, Fremont was ordered to appear and answer to the charge of holding in his possession property that was claimed by a citizen of California. The charge was evidently a made up case having in view to stop the Americans on their advancing march, or to compel them to take recourse to hostilities, so as to warrant the raise of a military force to make them leave the country. Fremont replied to this summons on February 21st. The letter closes thus: "You will readily understand that my duties will not permit me to appear before the magistrates in your towns on the complaint of every straggling vagabond who may chance to visit my camp. You inform me that unless satisfaction be immediately made by the delivery of the animals in question, the complaint will be forwarded to the governor. I will beg you at the same time to enclose to his excellency a copy of this note. I am, very respectfully your obedient servant. John C. Fremont, U S. Army. To Sr. Don Dolores Pacheco, Alcalde of San Jose. Having this way disposed of the attempt to stop his advancing, he took up his march towards Monterey until, on March 5th, an officer with about eighty lancers blocked his way, handing over the following communication: Monterey, March 5, 1846. I have learned, with much dissatisfaction, that in contempt of the laws and authorities of the Mexican Republic you have entered the towns of the district under my charge with an armed force, which the government of your nation must have placed under your command, for the purpose of examining its own territory; this prefecture orders you immediately on the receipt of this communication to return with your party beyond the limits of this department, with the understanding that if you do not comply, this prefecture will take the necessary measures to compel you to respect this determination. God and Liberty, Manuel Castro. Senor Captain, Don J. C. Fremont. Fremont, instead of leaving the territory as ordered, was found the next morning having entered a fortified camp on top of Hawk's Peak (Pico del Gabelen, 2,200 feet above the level of the sea), and the American flag was floating from the top of a limbless tree, out in the morning air. The next day Castro with his meanwhile raised army of two or three hundred native Californians with a few field-pieces, came marching out from Monterey and kept on maneuvering around Fremont's camp for three days, always keeping far enough away to not come in contact with a rifle shot. The American consul at Monterey, observing the preparations and strength of Castro's army, became seriously alarmed for the safety of that handful of brave men, and all the Americans generally, forth- with sent letters to the American consul at Mazatlan, asking if there were any United States man-of-war in that port, to be forwarded to their assistance. On receiving this dispatch, Commodore Sloat ordered Captain Montgomery, of the "Portsmouth" to sail for Monterey ; but consul Thomas O. Larkin did not rest in the meantime, he kept up communication with Fremont, and had made arrangements for a sailing vessel that should take up the party in case they were driven toward the coast. The following letter delivered on March loth, by Alexander Cody, shows that Fremont himself was not at all alarmed, and that he, perhaps did not think much of Castro's operations anyway. March 10, 1846. My Dear Sir: � I this moment received your letters, and without waiting to read them acknowledge the receipt which the courier requires immediately. I am making myself as strong as possible, with the in- tention, if we are unjustly attacked, to fight to extremity, and will refuse quarters, trusting to our country to avenge our deaths. No one has reached our camp, and from the heights we are able to see the troops mustering at St. John's and preparing cannon. I thank you for your kindness and good wishes, and would write more at length as to my intentions did I not fear that my letters would be intercepted. Very truly yours, J. C. Fremont. To Thomas O. Larkin, Esq., Consul for U. S. A. at Monterey. On the 11th they were in the San Joaquin valley, having abandoned the entrenched camp* perceiving that there was no fight in Castro, and after joining Talbot's detachment they took the route for Oregon, arriving at Peter Lassen's trading po.st, on Deer creek, near the north line of California, March 13, 1846 where they remained until April 14th. Here they learned of a report that a number of the Indians had congregated at what is since known as Reading's ranch, showing open hostilities against the few scattering white settlers, and joined by five volunteers from the trading post went after them and enacted a bloody slaughter from which only a few, by swimming the river, escaped. On the day mentioned Fremont, after about a month's hesitation, started again to continue his voyage to Oregon ; however, he did not take the old Hudson Bay Company trail through Shasta valley, but turned off to follow up Pit river,- then called East Fork of Sacramento river, proceeded by the way of Goose, Clear and Tule lakes to the west shore of Klamath lake. On the 9th of May two messengers brought the news into Fremont's camp that a United States officer was following them, and that danger was awaiting him by the Indians. Fremont get- ting the news immediately took nine of his men and the two messengers to accompany him on this trip to rescue the officer, and before night crossing the California line, put up a camp on Hot creek, a tributary of Kla- math lake, where, just after sunset. Lieutenant Gillespie, guided by Peter Lassen, rode up to deliver, after six months and six days traveling, those secret dispatches which he had destroyed after committing them to memory, for fear their contents would compromise his government if by mischance they should fall into Mexican hands. It was a movement of highest importance when both these men met, and the one received the secret orders which called him back to California, and thereby became so decisive for the history of this State. Supposing Gillespie had failed to deliver his orders to Fremont, the latter would have followed his trip into Oregon, and all the events connected with his return to California would have been very doubtful to say the least of it; and Sir George Seymour, when he sailed into Monterey harbor, in all probability would have taken the chance to confiscate California for the British crown. The contents of those secret dispatches have remained a secret to the country to this day; but if we draw a conclusion from the effects, the translation from result to cause would sound about like this: "Information received from Consul Thomas O. Larkin, at Monterey, confirm us in the belief that England is endeavoring with ardor to become possessed of California. It is necessary to prevent this result, for this reason you will use your influence to have all those favorable to the United States take up arms for the cause and declaration of a republic in the territory which form of rule may be maintained until a declaration of war between the United States and Mexico will justify this government to take possession of the country. War will soon be commenced; until that time don't leave any trace, either by word or act, of any connection between your doings and this department." After another rencontre with the Indians in the Modoc country, Fremont retraced his own steps towards the Sacramento Valley, arriving at the Marysville Buttes May 27, and camped there for about one week, meantime reinforcing his army by drawing volunteers. Continuing his march south he received information from Wm. Knight, of Knight's Landing, on June 8, that Gen. Castro's private secretary, Lieutenant Francisco de Arce, with some eighty horses, had passed the Sacramento river the previous day, at his place. These horses were expected to be on the way towards Castro's headquarters to serve in the coming encounter, and on the morning of June 9th eleven men, under Ezekiel Merritt's command, left Fremont's camp in pursuit of Lieut. de Arce, whom they surprised before daybreak on the morning of the loth, capturing the whole party. Castro's men and their lieutenant were allowed to continue their journey to San Jose, retaining their arms and riding horses each. The taken-away horses were driven into Fremont's camp on the next day. This was the introduction to the hostilities enacted by the American settlers, generally called the "Bear Flag War," The discussed question, what could be done next, was answered unanimously by showing activity in response to Castro's war-like proclamations, and it was determined to capture Sonoma, to take possession of all military stores at the place, and declare the independence from Mexico. And the next day already saw twenty brave men under Captain Merritt crossing the Sacramento river at Knight's Landing, on their way towards Sonoma, being joined at Gordon's ranch by twelve men, one of them Wm. L. Todd, who painted the Bear Flag, and Capt. Jack Scott, who brought the report from Sonoma back to Fremont that Sloat had hoisted the American flag at Monterey. They hurried on, and early on the morning of June 14, 1846, Sonoma, with the garrison of six soldiers, together with the Commandant General M. G. Vallejo and his officers, Lieut. Colonel Victor Prudon, Capt. S. M. Vallejo and Jacob P. Leese, besides nine brass cannon and two hundred and fifty muskets were captured without firing a shot. Merritt after that resigned and John Grigsby was elected captain, and when he, with nine of the men, left with the prisoners for Sutter's fort, Sonoma was given in charge of Wm. B. Ide, as captain of twenty men, with Henry L. Ford first lieutenant, Granville B. Swift first sergeant, Sam Gibson second sergeant. Notwithstanding the capture of Sonoma was effected without any bloodshed, it seems to have been destined that the first blood should flow in connection with this affair. Captain Ide, in want of some powder, sent two of his men to the Fitch ranch, where a brother of Kit Carson was foreman, and they ncrt returning in time, he ordered two other men to look after the matter, but when they failed to return, the fort got alarmed, and Sergeant Gibson with a posse of four men, was sent on the night of June 20, to procure the powder and hunt after those four of their comrades. The sergeant succeeded in the first half of his commission, but could learn nothing of the men. Returning he was attacked at Santa Rosa by four men, but the Americans were on the lookout and captured two of them, taking them back to Sonoma. One of these prisoners was Bernardino Garcia, in after years better known under the nom de plume "Three fingered Jack," the famous bandit who was killed by Harry Love's rangers July 27, 1853, at the Pinola pass, not far from the Merced river. From these prisoners Capt. Ide learned the fate of his men. The second detail of men were prisoners, but the first two had been inhumanly murdered. Captured by a party of thirteen Californians, they were tied to a tree with lariats and used as targets for the practice of throwing knives, and after tiring of this, stones and other missiles were thrown at them; and in this way, imitating the style of the most savage Indians, these human beasts tortured them slowly to death. They were found just as they had died, a ghastly spectacle. Cowie and Fowler were buried at Santa Rosa, but their memory lives in history as the first victims in the struggle for American supremacy in California. Castro issued another fulminant proclamation from his headquarters at Santa Clara, calling on the native Californians to rise for their religion, liberty and independence. Capt. Ide answered with another proclamation from Sonoma to the Americans and other foreigners, to rise and defend their rights as settlers ; and they responded numerously, so that Fremont having received the news of Gen. Castro's move on to Sonoma 23, by Harrison Pierce, and promising to march to the rescue of that place as soon as he could mount ninety men, was able to do so the very same day, and to arrive at Sonoma at two o'clock on the morning of the 25th. Meantime Lieut. Ford with twenty-three men, and two prisoners taken along for guides, had started on the 23d of June from Sonoma with the intention of keeping the enemy away and in check until Fremont could arrive ; and by the way to try if Wm. L. Todd and others, having been captured by Juan Padilla's band, could not be recaptured. Thus moving on to San Rafael with only fourteen of his men, having left eight in guard of Padilla's ranch, he just had captured about eighty corralled horses, and nearing a house, when out poured the enemy, numbering to their surprise about eighty, with horses ready to be mounted behind the house. Ford did not hesitate to form his men in platoons, when the Californians advancing, charged upon him; but after being thrown back twice by the rifle sharp-shooters, who had taken positions behind trees, and as the situation allowed it, they gave up the fight, leaving the field to the fourteen men ; who found eleven of the enemy dead and wounded. The prisoners, Todd and companion, had been left in the house. They were soon liberated, and all returned, with the prisoners to Sonoma. Here Fremont did not stay more than a few hours, but advanced forthwith to San Rafael, going into camp there for a few days. An Indian scout was captured and brought into camp. He carried a letter from De la Torre to Castro, informing the latter that he (Torre) was drawing together his forces to make an attack upon Sonoma the next morning while Fremont was absent. This, however proved to be a trick enacted for the purpose to remove Fremont from San Rafael, for while the latter was rushing to the relief of Sonoma, where no enemy came in sight, the Californian forces made their escape from Saucelito by water, to join Castro who had advanced from Santa Clara to about San Leandro, and stood two hundred and fifty strong at Estudillo's ranch ; returning to the old headquarters after a few days, on June 29th. The day before, Fremont's men had captured three Californians � one Berryessa and two de Haro brothers � doing spy services from Castro to De la Torre; they were shot summarily, in requital for the murder of the two Americans at Santa Rosa. On July 1st, Fremont, with Lieut. Gillespie and twenty men went across the bay, took the Presidio and spiked all the guns there ; took a lot of supplies from the American bark Moscow, that happened to cruise around, and returned on the second by the way of Saucelito to Sonoma, to arrive there on the 4th of July. He also took with him a great supply of ammunition that had been stored on the shore by Captain Montgomery, of the Portsmouth, left there, under guard, for Fremont to capture it.* Dr. Robert Semple having been charged with the commission to capture the old fort San Joaquin, near the Mission at San Francisco, and make the Captain, R. T. Ridley, a prisoner, returned to Sacramento on July 8th, and delivered his prisoner at Sutter's Fort as a proof of his success. * This was the way to furnish these rebels ammunition, etc., without showing the hand of the Government of the United States in the affair. As stated already, Fremont returned back to Sonoma on July 4th. The following day he held a review of his battalion, it having been increased to. two hundred and fifty men, and in the presence of the assembled people the independence of the State was declared, the bear flag hoisted and Fremont chosen to take charge of affairs. The historic standard called the Bear Flag, after a tolerable likeness of a grizzly bear, made by means of a blacking-brush, with berry juice, on a piece of cotton cloth, is now in the possession of the California Society of Pioneers. Fremont, with one hundred and eighty men, started on July 6th, from Sonoma by the way of Knight's Landing and Sutter's Fort, to attack Castro in his entrenched camp at Santa Clara. When about nearing the fort, on the tenth. Captain Jack Scott came in full gallop after them, bringing the news from Sonoma that Commodore Sloat, on board of the United States frigate Savannah, had captured Monterey on July 7th; that Captain Montgomery, of the Portsmouth, had hoisted the American flag on the plaza at Yerba Buena on the 8th, and that the Stars and Stripes had been raised at Sonoma on the loth. The Bear Flag came down while the Stars and Stripes went up, amid general cheering, saluted by twenty-one guns, out of a little brass cannon called "Sutter." While Commodore Sloat with his fleet, consisting of the frigate Savannah and five smaller vessels, was waiting for orders in the harbor of Mazatlan, Sir George Seymour, the British Rear Admiral, with a force of nine or ten vessels kept a strong watch of the American movements, cruising up and down the const, and when Sloat started for Mazatlan Seymour put out to sea under full sail, and both their vessels ran a competing race, but the former outsailed the latter, and when the British vessel came around the Point of Pines at Monterey she found the Americans in full possession of the harbor. Entering the port. Commodore Sloat saluted the Mexican flag, not having received yet any official information that war had begun, although the battle of Palo Alto was fought more than a month before. He found there the American war vessels Levant and Cyane, and all were anxious to see events developing that hung like clouds in the air ; but Sloat let pass the 4th of July uninspirated, like the days previous. On the evening of the sixth a launch, under command of Lieut. N. B. Harrison, after having been at sea for fifty-six hours, came in port, sent by Captain Montgomery to advise Commodore Sloat of the Bear-flag war on the northern frontier ; but Sloat, to show his standpoint, did not even allow them to leave their boat, and ordered them to hold themselves ready to return with dispatches to Captain Montgomery, ordering him to render no assistance to the Americans in their insurrection. Only the intercession of the officers of the flag-ship, as well as other vessels, particularly of R. M. Price, Purser of the Cyane, (since Governor of New Jersey) could arouse the commander from his lethargy to come to the understanding that circumstances ordered the immediate seizure of the country) and when Price left, late in the night, he to his vessel with orders from Sloat for Captain William Mervine. The orders for Captain Montgomery were changed to an instruction to take possession of Yerba Buena, and, according to the orders received. Captain Mervine, with Purser Price, Lieutenant Higgins and two hundred and fifty marines and sailors, went on shore at lo a. m. on July 7th, 1846, to hoist the American flag over Monterey as the capital of Upper California; Purser Price reading the Commodore's proclamation to the people in the English and Spanish languages, declaring California henceforth a portion of the United States. Thus ended the Bear Flag war, the Government of the United States taking the responsibility out of the hands of those who had done their work of opening the activity, into her own hands. PROCLAMATION. TO THE INHABATANTS OF CALIFORNIA. The Central Government of Mexico having commenced hostilities against the United States of America by invading its territory and attacking the troops of the United States stationed on the north side of the Rio Grande, and with a force of seven thousand men, under command of General Arista, which army was totally destroyed, and all their artillery, baggage, etc. captured on the eighth and ninth of May last, by a force of two thousand and three hundred men, under command of General Taylor, and the city of Matamoras taken and occupied 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 throughout California. I declare to the inhabitants of California that although I come in arms, with a powerful force, I do not come to them as an enemy to California ; on the contrary, I come as their best friend, as henceforth California will be a portion of the United States, and its peaceable inhabitants will enjoy the same rights � principles they now enjoy � together with the privilege of choosing their own magistrates and other officers for the administration 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, property and the constitutional right and lawful security to worship the Creator in the way the most congenial to each other's sense of duty will be secured, which, unfortunately, the Central Government of Mexico cannot afford them, destroyed as her resources are by internal factions and corrupt officers, who create con- stant revolutions to promote their own interest 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 agriculture and in commerce; as, of course, the revenue laws will be the same in California as in all parts of the United States, affording them all the manufactures and products of the United States free of any duty, and on all foreign goods at one-quarter of the duty they now pay. A great increase in the value of real estate and the products of California may also be anticipated. With the great interest and kind feeling I know the Government and people of the United States possess toward the citizens of California, the country cannot but improve more rapidly than any other on the continent of America. Such of the inhabitants of California, whether natives or foreigners, as may not be disposed to accept the high privileges of citizenship, and to live peaceably under the Government of the United States, will be allowed time to dispose of their property and to remove out of the country, if they choose, without any restriction, or remain in it, observing strict neutrality. With full confidence in the honor and integrity of the inhabitants of the country, I invite the judges, alcaldes and other civil officers to execute their functions as heretofore, that the public tranquility may not be disturbed, at least until the Government of the territory can be more definitely arranged. All persons holding titles to real estate, or in quiet possession of land under color of right, shall have those titles guaranteed to them. All churches, and the property they contain, in the possession of the clergy of California, shall continue in the same rights and possessions 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 compensation at the moment. John D. Sloat, Corn'dg U. S. Forces on the Pacific Coast.