Battle of La Mesa
Encyclopedia
The Battle of La Mesa of the Mexican-American War occurred on January 9, 1847, in present-day Vernon, California
, the day after the Battle of Rio San Gabriel
during the California Campaign.
' 300-strong force of Californio
militia
near a ravine where the city of Vernon now stands.
s killed one American and wounded five others in the force commanded jointly by Commodore Robert F. Stockton
and General Stephen Watts Kearny. The American force was largely on foot but had rifles, while the Californios fought on horseback with only lances. In the battle, the Californios suffered 15 dead and 25 wounded. After a day of charging and outflanking the American soldiers, the Californios fell back in exhaustion and camped at present-day Pasadena
, ceding Los Angeles to Stockton's forces.
advance in California, and General José Mariá Flores
returned to Mexico. The conquest and annexation of Alta California
was settled with the signing of the Treaty of Cahuenga
by US Army Lieutenant-Colonel John C. Frémont
and Californio General Andres Pico
on January 13, 1847.
Vernon, California
Vernon is a city five miles south of downtown Los Angeles, California. The population was 112 at the 2010 United States Census, the smallest of any incorporated city in the state....
, the day after the Battle of Rio San Gabriel
Battle of Rio San Gabriel
The Battle of Rio San Gabriel fought on January 8, 1847 was a decisive action of the California campaign of the Mexican-American War and occurred at a ford of the San Gabriel River, at what are today parts of the cities of Whittier, Pico Rivera and Montebello, about ten miles south-east of downtown...
during the California Campaign.
Background
After crossing the river, the American troops advanced to meet FloresJosé Mariá Flores
General José María Flores was an officer in the Mexican Army and was a member of la otra banda. He was appointed Governor and Comandante General pro tem of Alta California from 1846 to 1847.-Mexican-America War:...
' 300-strong force of Californio
Californio
Californio is a term used to identify a Spanish-speaking Catholic people, regardless of race, born in California before 1848...
militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
near a ravine where the city of Vernon now stands.
Battle
At La Mesa, the outgunned CalifornioCalifornio
Californio is a term used to identify a Spanish-speaking Catholic people, regardless of race, born in California before 1848...
s killed one American and wounded five others in the force commanded jointly by Commodore Robert F. Stockton
Robert F. Stockton
Robert Field Stockton was a United States naval commodore, notable in the capture of California during the Mexican-American War. He was a naval innovator and an early advocate for a propeller-driven, steam-powered navy. Stockton was from a notable political family and also served as a U.S...
and General Stephen Watts Kearny. The American force was largely on foot but had rifles, while the Californios fought on horseback with only lances. In the battle, the Californios suffered 15 dead and 25 wounded. After a day of charging and outflanking the American soldiers, the Californios fell back in exhaustion and camped at present-day Pasadena
Pasadena, California
Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Although famous for hosting the annual Rose Bowl football game and Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena is the home to many scientific and cultural institutions, including the California Institute of Technology , the Jet...
, ceding Los Angeles to Stockton's forces.
Aftermath
The battle was the last armed resistance to the AmericanUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
advance in California, and General José Mariá Flores
José Mariá Flores
General José María Flores was an officer in the Mexican Army and was a member of la otra banda. He was appointed Governor and Comandante General pro tem of Alta California from 1846 to 1847.-Mexican-America War:...
returned to Mexico. The conquest and annexation of Alta California
Alta California
Alta California was a province and territory in the Viceroyalty of New Spain and later a territory and department in independent Mexico. The territory was created in 1769 out of the northern part of the former province of Las Californias, and consisted of the modern American states of California,...
was settled with the signing of the Treaty of Cahuenga
Treaty of Cahuenga
The Treaty of Cahuenga, also called the "Capitulation of Cahuenga," ended the fighting of the Mexican-American War in Alta California in 1847. It was not a formal treaty between nations but an informal agreement between rival military forces in which the Californios gave up fighting...
by US Army Lieutenant-Colonel John C. Frémont
John C. Frémont
John Charles Frémont , was an American military officer, explorer, and the first candidate of the anti-slavery Republican Party for the office of President of the United States. During the 1840s, that era's penny press accorded Frémont the sobriquet The Pathfinder...
and Californio General Andres Pico
Andrés Pico
Andrés Pico was a Californio who became a successful rancher, served as a military commander during the Mexican-American War; and was elected to the state assembly and senate after California became a state, when he was also commissioned as a brigadier general in the state militia.-Early...
on January 13, 1847.