Battle of Dominguez Rancho facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Dominguez Rancho
Part of Conquest of California during the Mexican–American War
Date 8 October - 9 October 1846 Location Rancho San Pedro, Alta California (battlefields now parts of) Dominguez Rancho Adobe/Dominguez Hills/Compton Creek Modern Cities: Compton,CA, Rancho Dominguez,CA 33°52′1″N 118°13′3″W / 33.86694°N 118.21750°W / 33.86694; -118.21750 Result Mexican & Californios victory Americans Retreat to San Pedro Bay and flee to Monterey on the USS Savannah Mexicans hold Pueblo de Los Angeles until the Return of Americans in January 1847
Belligerents
United States	Mexico
Commanders and leaders
William Mervine	José Antonio Carrillo José María Flores
Strength
Total: 379 285 U.S. Marines	Total: 90 Militia 50 lancers 1 swivel cannon
Casualties and losses
Total: 22 10 Total Deaths 4 U.S. Marines Died during Battle 6 additional U.S. Marines Die from wounds American Troops buried on Deadman's Island 12 wounded	Total: 0 No Casualties

The Battle of Dominguez Rancho was an important fight during the Mexican–American War. It happened on October 8 and 9, 1846. This battle is also known as the Battle of the Old Woman's Gun or the Battle of Dominguez Hills. It took place on a large ranch called Rancho San Pedro in what is now California.

In this battle, a small group of about 50 Mexican soldiers, called Californios, led by Captain José Antonio Carrillo, faced off against a much larger force of about 300 U.S. Marines. The Marines were trying to take back the city of Los Angeles. But the Californios used clever tricks to make the Americans think they were facing a huge army. They moved their only cannon around and rode horses to kick up a lot of dust. Because of these smart tactics, the Californios won the battle. They even captured the American flag, which was a rare event in U.S. history. The American Marines had to retreat to their ships.

Why the Battle Happened

The Fight for Los Angeles

The Mexican–American War was happening, and the United States wanted to take control of California. The U.S. Navy had already taken Los Angeles. But the local Mexican forces, known as Californios, fought back. They managed to push the Americans out of Los Angeles in a fight called the Siege of Los Angeles.

After hearing about this, Commodore Robert F. Stockton of the U.S. Navy sent Captain William Mervine and his ship, the USS Savannah, to help. Mervine arrived on October 7, 1846, in San Pedro. He planned to march his troops to Los Angeles and take the city back.

The Battle Begins

American March to Dominguez Rancho

Captain Mervine's plan to march to Los Angeles was not well thought out. His troops started their journey on October 8. Right away, things went wrong when a cabin boy was accidentally killed by friendly fire. The American soldiers had different weapons like muskets and swords, but they didn't have any horses, wagons, or cannons.

The march was very difficult. It was a six-hour walk through dusty land with little water. Mexican soldiers on the hills kept bothering them, making the march even harder.

Night at Dominguez Rancho

Mervine and his troops finally reached the Dominguez Rancho. It was empty, so they camped there for the night. They could see some of the Mexican troops nearby. During the night, the Mexican soldiers fired shots now and then. This kept the Americans awake and tired them out.

The Old Woman's Gun

The next morning, October 9, the Americans continued their march. The Mexican forces, led by General José María Flores, were not as well-armed as the Americans. They had lances, knives, and old guns. But they had one very important weapon: a small cannon.

This cannon was special. It was an old brass four-pounder that had been used for celebrations in Los Angeles. When the Americans took the city, a woman named Inocencia Reyes (or Clara Cota de Reyes) had hidden it in her garden. She buried it with the help of her daughters. This cannon became known as the "Old Woman's Gun."

Clever Tactics of the Californios

The Californios placed the cannon on the narrow path the Americans had to use. They tied ropes to the cannon so they could quickly pull it into the bushes after firing. This way, the Americans couldn't see where the shots were coming from. The Mexican horsemen stayed far away from the path, firing their muskets.

When the Americans got close, the cannon would fire, and then quickly disappear into the brush. The American soldiers were on foot, so they couldn't fight back against the mounted Mexican soldiers they couldn't even see. After less than an hour of fighting, Captain Mervine realized his troops couldn't reach Los Angeles. He had no choice but to order a retreat.

Five hours later, Mervine's forces were back on their ship in San Pedro Bay.

What Happened Next

American Retreat and Casualties

After the battle, four more American soldiers died from their wounds. They were buried on a small island in San Pedro Bay called Isla de los Muertos, which means "Island of the Dead." The cabin boy who died earlier was also buried there. Mervine's ship, the Savannah, sailed north to Monterey a few days later.

The Fate of the Flag and Cannon

The American flag that was captured during the battle was later taken to Mexico City. The fate of the "Old Woman's Gun" is a bit of a mystery. Some people say it was given back to the Americans later. But another story says that in 1853, years after the war, some Californio leaders dug up the cannon again. They used it to fire a salute near the graves of the American soldiers on Dead Man's Island to celebrate the Fourth of July. It's also possible the cannon was shown at a big exhibition in New Orleans in 1884-85.

See also

In Spanish: Batalla del Rancho Domínguez para niños