96 HISTORY OF PASADENA. 



the struggle for the possession of Upper California, and our squadron sailed 

 soon after for the coast of Mexico, where a part of it was emploj^ed in 

 blockading Mazatlan and San Bias, while my ship [sloop Cyafie] was sent 

 with the frigate Congress to Guaymas. ' ' 



In regard to Flores' attacking the "sailor battalion " in preference to 

 Fremont's troops. Revere was greatly mistaken ; for the Mexican army had 

 waited at Cahuenga and San Fernando Old Mission to intercept Fremont 

 and give him battle there, till they heard on January 7 that Stockton was 

 advancing from San Diego.* Then they moved hastily down the Monterey 

 road across Rancho San Pasqual to the San Gabriel river, and Garfias sup- 

 plied his company with extra horses as they passed through his ranch ; and 

 some food supplies for the army were obtained at San Gabriel while passing 

 through that village. A woman who has resided in Pasadena for nine or 

 ten years past, and known as "Old Francesca," galloped about the country 

 on horseback gathering provisions for the Mexican troops, although she 

 was then 53 years of age, having been born at lyos Nietos in November or 

 December, 1794.! (I visited her September 23, 1894, [also three other 

 times,] and her grandsons, Frank lyUgo and Jose lyUgo, Jr., acted as inter- 

 preters for me.) When Col. Fremont marched into Los Angeles after the 

 capitulation of Cahuenga, he took Gov. Pico's house for his quarters. This 

 Pasadena woman, Francesca de Luga, was then occupying the house to 

 take care of it : and she delivered its keys to Fremont.;]; 



The battle of the Mesa (Laguna ranch) closed about 4 o'clock p. m., 

 when the Mexicans " rode off toward the mountains," as Revere puts it. 

 They had made three brave but unsuccessful charges upon the American 

 artillery, it being supported by a hollow square of well-armed, well-drilled 

 and well-ofhcered marines. The California Spaniards showed as much dash 

 and bravery and skill in manoeuvering and charging as the Americans ever 

 did ; but the advantage of good powder, good firearms, good training and 

 actual fighting numbers, was all against them ; and the fact that they main- 

 tained this unequal contest for two days, or that they engaged in it at all, 

 showed a degree of patriotic devotion in fighting for their own flag and 



*B. D. Wilson used to tell with much humor, au incideut of tliis time. He aud other Americans 

 were held as prisoners of war. and Don Andres Pico, the (".eneral. had always been very kind to them, 

 so that they really felt a friendly concern for his safelj-. When he was starling out with the expectation 

 of meeting Col. Fremont in battle, Mr. Wilson, Wm. Workman, and others, told him of their feeling 

 toward him — told him that Fremont's men were all expert riflemen, and they feared if Don Andrese.x- 

 posed himself on the field he would be shot. The General naively replied ; "Don't he anxious about 

 me, gentlemen. I would rather have history record where Don Andres lan than where Don Andres 

 fell." This I have from Hon. J. De Barth Shorb. 



tThe lyos Nietos [or Santa Gertrudis] ranch was granted to Manuel Nieto by Gov. Fages in 1784 — 

 the first land grant ever made in I,os Angeles county 



I" I lived alone, after a short time, in the ancient capital of the governors general of Los Angeles, 

 without guards or military protection ; the cavalry having been sent off nine miles to the Mi.ssion San 

 Gabriel. I lived in the midst of the people in their ancient capital, administering the government as a 

 governor lives in the capital of any of our states." — Exh act from FtcmoiiVs anS7uer to "Specification 7," 

 in General Kearny's disgraceful conspiracy to ruin Fremont through a preprejudiced court martial at 

 Washington, in 1847-4S. This Kearny gained military prestige by falsifying records within his control, 

 and claiming achievements which were none of his. He died at .St. Louis, Oct. 31, 1S4S. Gen. Phil. Kearny, 

 who won honorable distinction in the war of the rebellioti, and after whom "Phil Kearny Camp S. of V." 

 in Pasadena was named, was a very different sort of man. 



