Battle of Olompali
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Olómpali was fought on June 24, 1846 in present day Marin County, California
. It was the first battle of the Mexican-American War fought in California.
, under the command of Joaquín de la Torre, headed north reacting to the declaration of an independent California Republic
in Sonoma ten days earlier. Near Olómpali
(north of present day Novato
) they met up with troops who had come from Sonoma in hopes of rescuing two American rebels who had been captured and (unbeknownst to their would-be rescuers) shot.
", on June 24, 1846, the "Battle of Olómpali"
occurred when a violent skirmish broke out between a group of American Bear Flaggers from Sonoma led by Henry Ford, and a Mexican force of 50 from Monterey, under the command of Joaquin de la Torre, at Camilo Ynitia's adobe. This was one of two engagements between California Republic militia and Mexican loyalist forces. Bear Flaggers attempted to seize horses from a corral of Californios, who were planning to recapture Sonoma
from the Americans who had taken it earlier that week. Two Californios were killed and some wounded.
The area is now a part of the Olompali State Historic Park
.
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. It was the first battle of the Mexican-American War fought in California.
Background
The skirmish began when Mexican Colonel José Castro’s forces from MontereyMonterey, California
The City of Monterey in Monterey County is located on Monterey Bay along the Pacific coast in Central California. Monterey lies at an elevation of 26 feet above sea level. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 27,810. Monterey is of historical importance because it was the capital of...
, under the command of Joaquín de la Torre, headed north reacting to the declaration of an independent California Republic
California Republic
The California Republic, also called the Bear Flag Republic, is the name used for a period of revolt against Mexico initially proclaimed by a handful of American settlers in Mexican California on June 14, 1846, in Sonoma. This was shortly before news of the Mexican–American War had reached the area...
in Sonoma ten days earlier. Near Olómpali
Olompali State Historic Park
Olompali State Historic Park is a park on the Marin Peninsula, north of Novato, California, USA, which overlooks the Petaluma River and San Pablo Bay. In 1977, the State of California purchased Rancho Olompali and made it into a state historical park. The foundations of two prehistoric adobe...
(north of present day Novato
Novato, California
Novato is a city located in the North Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area, in northern Marin County. Novato is located about north-northwest of San Rafael, at an elevation of 30 feet above sea level . The 2010 U.S. Census estimated the city population to be about 51,904. Novato is about ...
) they met up with troops who had come from Sonoma in hopes of rescuing two American rebels who had been captured and (unbeknownst to their would-be rescuers) shot.
Battle
During the "Bear Flag RevoltCalifornia Republic
The California Republic, also called the Bear Flag Republic, is the name used for a period of revolt against Mexico initially proclaimed by a handful of American settlers in Mexican California on June 14, 1846, in Sonoma. This was shortly before news of the Mexican–American War had reached the area...
", on June 24, 1846, the "Battle of Olómpali"
occurred when a violent skirmish broke out between a group of American Bear Flaggers from Sonoma led by Henry Ford, and a Mexican force of 50 from Monterey, under the command of Joaquin de la Torre, at Camilo Ynitia's adobe. This was one of two engagements between California Republic militia and Mexican loyalist forces. Bear Flaggers attempted to seize horses from a corral of Californios, who were planning to recapture Sonoma
Sonoma, California
Sonoma is a historically significant city in Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA, surrounding its historic town plaza, a remnant of the town's Mexican colonial past. It was the capital of the short-lived California Republic...
from the Americans who had taken it earlier that week. Two Californios were killed and some wounded.
The area is now a part of the Olompali State Historic Park
Olompali State Historic Park
Olompali State Historic Park is a park on the Marin Peninsula, north of Novato, California, USA, which overlooks the Petaluma River and San Pablo Bay. In 1977, the State of California purchased Rancho Olompali and made it into a state historical park. The foundations of two prehistoric adobe...
.