Number 5

Amador County Branch 96 - Jackson, California

THE OXEN’S TALE #5

“The Silly Little War”

Or better know as “THE BEAR FLAG REVOLT” (Part one)

Now why you ask, do I call it the Silly Little War?

To begin with, John C. Fremont was the only US Military officer in California. He had orders from President Polk to not start an international incident with the Mexicans.

Now the Californio's (Mexicans of California) wanted all the Americans out of California. In addition, they were not happy with Mexico and so had seceded from Mexico, even though Mexico did not recognize this action.

Fremont, camped near the Sutter Buttes, gathered various disgruntled Americans and planned for them to capture Mariano Vallejo, his home and post at Sonoma.

Early morning on June 14, 1846, thirty-three angry civilian Americans stormed into Sonoma. They awakened Vallejo who responded by inviting the representatives in for wine and brandy. The talks began.

For years, Vallejo had been telling the Californios that the United States should take over California; therefore, Vallejo was a willing, cooperative captive.

So, for whom did they capture Vallejo and the post? The capture could not be for the United States as per Fremont’s orders.

Who did they capture it from? In the minds of the Californios, they were no longer citizens of Mexico!

It gets sillier.

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