Battle of La Mesa
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The Battle of La Mesa of the Mexican–American War occurred on 9 January 1847, in present-day Vernon, California, the day after the Battle of Rio San Gabriel during the California Campaign.
Background
Not finding any Californians at Pio Pico's ranch, the Americans crossed the plain between the San Gabriel River and the Los Angeles River called La Mesa.[1]:192 They encountered Flores' 300-strong force of Californio militia, including artillery,[1]:192 near where the city of Vernon now stands, about 4 miles south of Los Angeles.
Battle
The Californian guns were ineffective, while the American guns responded from their square as the Americans advanced.[1]:192 Flores extended his line and brought up two more guns.[1]:192 Stockton halted and formed his guns into a single battery.[1]:192 After fifteen minutes, Stockton's fire drove the Californian artillery from effective range.[1]:192 Flores sent his lancers against the American left flank but were driven back and most deserted, allowing the Americans to advance into Los Angeles.[1]:192
Aftermath
The battle was the last armed resistance to the American advance in California, and General José María 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 Andrés Pico on January 13, 1847.
The site of the battle is now registered as California Historical Landmark #167.[2] The marker is located at 4490 Exchange Avenue at Downey Road in Vernon.[2]
See also
- List of conflicts in the United States
- Battles of the Mexican–American War
- Captain John Strother Griffin (1816–1898), physician during the battle
