Pauma massacre facts for kids

The Pauma Massacre happened in December 1846, in Pauma Valley, north of Escondido, California. During this event, Luiseño Native Americans killed eleven Mexican soldiers. These soldiers, called Californio lancers, had stolen horses from the Luiseño people.

This event was part of bigger conflicts happening in the region during the Mexican–American War. It took place after the Battle of San Pasqual. The massacre was also connected to the Luiseño people losing their land. After the successful mission, which had about 3,000 people, was closed in 1833, their land was taken. Governor José Figueroa had given the Luiseño three villages, including Las Flores and San Pascual. Pío Pico was supposed to manage the mission land for the government. However, Pico later took Las Flores for himself as his own ranch.

Pío Pico was the leader of the Mexican forces at the Battle of San Pasqual. The Kumeyaay Indians lived at San Pascual. Even though the Kumeyaay were from a different mission, they also did not trust Pío Pico. Their knowledge of the local land might have helped the Americans in the battle. The Mexicans lost the battle. Afterward, they took eleven horses from a nearby Luiseño community. In response, the Luiseño killed eleven Mexican Californio soldiers in the Pauma Massacre.

Why the Pauma Massacre Happened

After the Battle of San Pasqual, the Californio lancers, who were Mexican soldiers, split into different groups. One group of eleven men went towards Rancho Pauma, a ranch owned by Jose Antonio Serrano. On their way, these soldiers stole a group of valuable horses that belonged to the Pauma band of the Luiseño people. They then went to the rancho.

Serrano, his fourteen-year-old son Jésus, and his brother-in-law Jose Aguilar had gone to Pala. Serrano's wife and other children were staying there. Before leaving, Serrano reportedly heard two Luiseño women talking about a plan to capture the Californios.

What Happened During the Massacre

In the evening, Chief Manuelito Cota (also known as Chief Manuel) led a group of the Pauma band to Rancho Pauma. The chief knocked on the door and introduced himself. The Californio soldiers knew Chief Manuel and had been peaceful with him before. When the Californios opened the door, the chief and his men captured the lancers.

They took the eleven prisoners to El Potrero, an Indian village called a rancheria, for the night. The next day, the group traveled to Aqua Caliente (which means Warm Springs, now known as Warner Springs). Chief Manuel gathered the local Native American groups for a tribal council. They met to decide what to do with the soldiers who had stolen the horses.

Most of the tribal chiefs thought the prisoners should be marked and then set free. However, William Marshall, an American living in the area, joined the discussion. He convinced the council to vote for executing the prisoners.

The tribal leaders decided that the Californios should face a traditional punishment and execution for stealing from the Pauma band. After the Californios saw the first execution, the remaining men cried and begged for their lives. Santos Alipas, who was thirteen years old, stood up. He reportedly said, "What's the use of crying? We can only die once; let us die like brave men." The Luiseños were impressed by Alipas' bravery. They gave him a choice of how he wanted to die. The boy asked to be shot, and he was killed.

People Who Died in the Pauma Massacre

• Manuel Serrano
• Ramon Aguilar
• Francisco Basualdo
• José María Alvarado
• Mariano Dominguez
• Santiago Osuna
• Jose Lopez
• Estaquio Ruiz
• Juan de la Cruz
• An unnamed New Mexican soldier
• Santos Alipas

What Happened After the Massacre

When Mexican forces in Los Angeles heard about the massacre, General José María Flores ordered José del Carmen Lugo from San Bernardino to lead a group of soldiers. Their mission was to get revenge for the deaths of the lancers. These soldiers carried out their mission with help from their allies, the Cahuilla Native Americans. They killed about 33 to 40 Luiseño warriors. This included the leaders who had approved the attack on the Californios. This event was later called the Temecula Massacre.