Battle of Río San Gabriel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Rio San Gabriel |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Conquest of California Mexican–American War |
|||||||
 J.M. Cutts' The Conquest of California and New Mexico, 1847 |
|||||||
|
|||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 United States |
 Mexico |
||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Stephen Watts Kearny Robert F. Stockton |
José María Flores | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 607 | ~350 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 2 killed 9 wounded |
2 killed 9 wounded |
||||||
| Official name: Rio San Gabriel Battlefield | |||||||
| Reference #: | 385 | ||||||
The Battle of Rio San Gabriel was an important fight during the Mexican–American War. It happened on January 8, 1847, near the San Gabriel River. Today, this area is part of cities like Whittier, Pico Rivera, and Montebello, about ten miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles. This battle was a big step in the United States taking control of California.
Contents
Why the Battle Happened
After San Pasqual
After a tough fight at the Battle of San Pasqual, the American soldiers, led by General Stephen W. Kearny, went to San Diego, California. There, they met up with Commodore Robert F. Stockton. Their main goal was to take back Pueblo de Los Angeles.
Losing Los Angeles
Los Angeles had been captured by Stockton's forces earlier. But it was left under the command of Captain Archibald Gillespie. Later, a group of local Californians, called Californios (people of Spanish or Mexican descent living in California), fought back. Their leader was General José María Flores. They took Los Angeles back during the Siege of Los Angeles.
Who Was in Charge?
General Kearny and Commodore Stockton both thought they should be in charge. Kearny had orders from the U.S. War Department. However, he had sent most of his soldiers away. His remaining troops also suffered heavy losses at San Pasqual. Stockton had more soldiers and knew the area well. So, Kearny let Stockton lead the mission to recapture Los Angeles. Stockton's group left San Diego on December 28–29, bringing six cannons with them.
The Battle Begins
Finding the Enemy
On January 7, 1847, American scouts found the Mexican army. They were waiting at a key crossing point on the San Gabriel River. Stockton and Kearny planned to cross the river the next day.
Crossing the River
The American forces formed a large square shape. Their cannons and supplies were in the middle. General Kearny wanted to set up the cannons to protect the crossing. But Stockton decided to move the troops across the river right away.
Crossing the river was very hard. General Flores and his Californio forces were on the high banks. This gave them a good position to attack. The river water was knee-deep, and there were patches of quicksand on the bottom.
The Fight
Around 2 PM, the Americans formed their square. They sent out smaller groups of soldiers, called skirmishers, ahead. Flores attacked the square with his horsemen. But their attack failed. Their homemade ammunition and gunpowder were not very good.
American officers and soldiers worked together to pull their heavy cannons across the river. The front part of the square took cover at the river's edge. Stockton himself helped aim and fire the cannons. The American cannons quickly silenced the two Californio cannons.
Charging Forward
Kearny led the main attack, while Stockton stayed with the cannons. The left side of the American square captured a Californio position on the riverbank. They held it against a counterattack from Californio militia soldiers, called lancers. These lancers were shouting "viva Los Californios!"
Then, the entire American square charged forward. They shouted "New Orleans, New Orleans!" This was to honor Andrew Jackson's victory at the Battle of New Orleans which happened on the same day, thirty-one years earlier. The Americans took the high ground, and Flores pulled his smaller force back. The battle lasted about an hour and a half. This victory was very important for the Americans to gain control of Los Angeles and California.
After the Battle
Taking Los Angeles Back
Stockton and Kearny stayed on the battlefield overnight. The next day, they continued chasing Flores's troops. They moved west from the San Gabriel River to the Los Angeles River near what is now Vernon. There, they defeated Flores's forces again at the Battle of La Mesa.
On January 10, the American forces marched back into Los Angeles. Captain Archibald Gillespie was able to raise the same U.S. Flag over the house where he had been forced to take it down a year before.
Command Issues Again
After Los Angeles and all of southern California were secured, the argument between Stockton and Kearny about who was in charge started again. Stockton had been the first military governor of California. He later gave that job to his helper, Lieutenant-Colonel John C. Frémont. But Kearny had newer orders from the War Department saying he should be governor. At first, Kearny was ignored.
On January 10, 1847, Stockton set up his headquarters on Wine Street, which is now Olvera Street, in Los Angeles. He helped set up a local government there. That historic house is still standing today.
Kearny left California on May 31, 1847, heading to St. Louis. He later brought charges against Fremont. Stockton left California on June 20.
Remembering the Battle
The place where the battle happened is now a California Historical Landmark, number 385. There is a memorial with a plaque and two cannons. You can find it at the corner of Washington Blvd. and Bluff Rd. in Montebello. Every year, volunteers dress in costumes and re-enact the battle.
California Historical Landmark Marker
The marker at the site says:
- NO. 385 RIO SAN GABRIEL BATTLEFIELD - Near this site on January 8, 1847, American forces commanded by Captain Robert F. Stockton, U.S. Navy, Commander in Chief, and Brigadier General Stephen W. Kearny, U.S. Army, fought Californians commanded by General José María Flores in the Battle of the Río San Gabriel.
Images for kids
-
Río San Gabriel battlefield memorial in Montebello.
-
Battle of Río San Gabriel
.jpg)
See also
In Spanish: Batalla del Río San Gabriel para niños
