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THE FINAL CAPTURE OF LOS ANGELES

Meantime the main portion of the enemy remained in front and continued its artillery fire from the new position in the ravine. One troops were ordered to lie down until American field pines could be thrown forward and again begin firing. Rapidly and accurately they shot in seaman fashion. Hostile gainers were repeatedly driven from their pieces in the hot duel, until the whole Californian contingent finally retreated, badly shaken if not decisively beaten.

This stimulating victory of San Gabriel marked an anniversary of the battle of New Orleans in 1815, and Stockton now celebrated both occasions by having his hand play "Hail Columbia" and "Yankee Doodle." The losses had fortunately been small -- only two killed and nine wounded, the latter including Rowan and Gillespie. Los Angeles was still some ten miles away and Flores' army remained to be seriously reckoned with. It was therefore decided to camp near the battlefield overnight, securing the animals under the river bank. The sketch (Plate X) portrays the peaceful scene which was but slightly disturbed by hostile firing.

The march next morning was interrupted six miles further along as the sturdy square was moving tediously across the plains of La Mesa. The enemy appeared, deployed in an open order across the front and his artillery opened fire from a high ravine on the right. It was gratifying to have him make another stand and thus offer the Americans a second chance of complete success -- a chance they could not gain in any other way. Once more seamen gunners proved their superiority as our field pieces cut away the fixtures about the hostile guns at every shot. While this duel at 600 yards was in progress General Flores received a reinforcement, and soon after the Californians came charging upon the front, flanks and rear, as shown by the most interesting watercolor (Plate XI).

The enemy met only with repulse and severe losses from showers of musket bullets as well as grape-shot discharged by roaring field pieces at short range. Our infantry fire had been withheld until the horsemen were very near, and by aiming at the seat of the saddle it proved very effective. The Californians now gave up further attacks and retreated towards Los Angeles, while one forces pursued them across the Mesa and the San Fernando River, until camp was made three miles from the Capital.

The Americans had last but one killed and five wounded in this final and really decisive little victory of La Mesa on January 9th. The crestfallen and discouraged Californians dispersed in small groups. Out of a total force of 600 in this disastrous campaign, 85 had been killed or wounded, and General Flores now fled into Mexico with only 100 followers.

On the morning of January 10th, Stockton made a triumphal re-entry into Los Angeles, marching down the main street with band playing. In appropriate ceremonies Gillespie re-hoisted the same flag that he had been compelled to haul down in capitulation. Once more the Governor set up a government; one whose sovereignty was to endure. The vast domain of California with its incalculable riches had been permanently conquered by naval forces for the United States. Few men in the service of their country have been privileged to accomplish more for it than that gallant little band under Commodore Robert F. Stockton.

On retaking Los Angeles the Commodore deplored the fact that the absence of Fremont and his mobile battalion of mounted riflemen would prevent following up and capturing the scattered Californians before they could escape into Sonora. After a brilliant march from Monterey however, the redoubtable Fremont reached the Cahuenga ranch near San Fernando on January 12th. Here he met the principal remnant of the defeated forces and received its peaceful surrender on that date. Thus was the naval conquest completed by an officer of the United States Army, although he was commanding principally sailorized, horsey frontiersmen who had been mastered into the Navy and still belonged to it.

It is apparent that we are indebted primarily to the splendid leadership of Commodore Robert F. Stockton for the addition of California to the territory of the United States. At every turn he met the unique difficulties of the situation with prompt decision and energetic action. Faced with great responsibility he was determined, resourceful and bold, and his conduct was characterized by both moral and physical courage of a high order. Such fine attributes in the Commander-in-Chief were certain to animate his subordinates and to give to the whole campaign those qualities of efficiency that produced marked success.

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