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Amador County Branch 96 - Jackson, California |
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OXEN’S TALE #6 The Silly Little war (Part two) By Frank Tortorich
What I find amusing about the Bear Flag Revolt is that it did not need to take place. President Polk announced on May 13, 1846, that the United Stated was declaring War with Mexico. But as the word had not yet reached California by June 14, 1846, Fremont played the political game by having the civilians storm Vallejo’s home and military post. However, without that knowledge the men made the decision to revolt and having achieved their objective felt they needed a flag. One of the men found some muslin about 2 feet by 3 feet, and across the bottom he sewed a 4-inch red strip. In the upper left corner, he painted a single star as symbolic of the Lone Star Republic of Texas. Next and to the right of the star, he drew a grizzly bear representing strength and power. Most people said it look more like a pig than a bear. Finally, under the star and bear, he wrote “CALIFORNIA REPUBLC,” misspelling republic. They ran the flag up the flagpole in the town square and referred to themselves as the “BEAR FLAGGERS.” Hence, my reasons for calling it “The Silly Little War.” DID YOU KNOW? The young man who made the flag was named William Todd, nephew of Mary Todd Lincoln. |
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