607 300 Official name La Mesa Battlefield Date 9 January 1847 | 1 killed5 wounded 1 killedsome wounded Reference no. 167 | |
 | ||
Similar Battle of Rio San Gabriel, Battle of Dominguez Rancho, Battle of Embudo Pass, Siege of Los Angeles, Battle of Natividad | ||
Battle of la mesa
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.
Contents
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. They encountered Flores' 300-strong force of Californio militia, including artillery, 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. Flores extended his line and brought up two more guns. Stockton halted and formed his guns into a single battery. After fifteen minutes, Stockton's fire drove the Californian artillery from effective range. Flores sent his lancers against the American left flank but were driven back and most deserted, allowing the Americans to advance into Los Angeles.
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. The marker is located at 4490 Exchange Avenue at Downey Road in Vernon.