José María Flores
José María Flores | |
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Military Governor of California ) | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 21, 1818 Hacienda de los Hornos, Nueva Extremadura, New Spain (now Viesca, Coahuila, Mexico) |
| Died | April 1866 aged. 48 Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico |
| Spouse | |
| Residence | Alta California |
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| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Mexico |
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General José María Flores (1818-1866) was a Captain in the Mexican Army and was a member of la otra banda. He was appointed Governor and Comandante General pro tem of Alta California from November 1846 to January 1847, and defended California against the Americans during the Mexican–American War.
Mexican–American War
Captain José María Flores arrived in California in 1842. He was a secretary for Governor Manuel Micheltorena. He was a captain in Comandante General José Castro's military army. In August, 1846, Castro sent Flores to deliver a message to Stockton stating that Castro was willing to accede to the wishes of the United States. Stockton did not recognize Castro's authority and rejected it. Castro, seeing no alternative, fled California. Governor Pío Pico followed shortly thereafter. Flores and other military officers were left behind in Los Angeles.
Stockton placed Lieutenant Archibald H. Gillespie in charge of Los Angeles. Gillespie exerted tyrannical control of the populace. Californios, upset by Gillespie's iron grip, assembled a force to retake Los Angeles. Captain José María Flores, one of the officers, was chosen to act as comandante general. Captain José Antonio Carrillo was made second in command, while Captain Andrés Pico, as comandante de escuadrón, ranked third.
Battle of Chino
Flores's troops outnumbered Gillespie's. Flores demanded that the Americans leave. In September, 1846, Gillespie agreed to leave Los Angeles. Gillespie sent for
Flores began reclaiming California. Flores dispatched
Flores now had control of California from Santa Luis Obispo to San Diego, but his army had few arms and little ammunition. All male inhabitants of Southern California were asked to become soldiers. However, only about 200 men were kept in active service.
On October 6, 1846, 420 Americans, including 203
Battle of Dominguez Rancho
On October 7, 1846, the American forces advanced to the Spanish adobe buildings of the Dominguez Rancho. Flores and some of his troops joined Carrillo's forces, mostly local Californio cattle ranchers, to engage Mervine's forces. On October 8 they defeated the marines in a one-hour battle, killing four while suffering zero casualties, and driving the Americans back to San Pedro Bay. This was the Battle of Dominguez Rancho, and in history, one of the few times US Marines have ever been defeated in battle. This victory was also a high-water mark for the Californios' control of their territory.
Comandante general
On October 26, 1846, Flores called the Departmental Assembly of California into session and reorganized the remaining California government. On November 1 Flores became the temporary governor and comandante general. On December 3, Francisco Rico and José Antonio Carrillo revolted against Flores. Flores was placed under arrest for his alleged scheme against the Chino prisoners and for allegedly stealing war funds. Flores decided not to send the Chino prisoners to Mexico City and no evidence was found in regards to the missing funds. On December 5 he was restored to power. Rico and Carrillo were jailed for the revolt, but released shortly afterward.
Battle of San Pasqual
Flores needed help from the national Mexican government. He sent Captain
After the victorious battle, Flores requested that Pico return to Los Angeles, but to leave men in the south to watch the American movements. After the battle a few Californios were killed at the
By January 4, 1847, Stockton and Kearny had joined forces (totalling 660 men) and were marching towards the Los Angeles area. In the north,
Battle of Rio San Gabriel
On January 8, 1847, Stockton's army encountered Flores's
Battle of La Mesa
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On January 9, 1847, Flores's troops encountered Stockton's forces one last time at the Battle of La Mesa. By January 12, Flores's troops offered a flag of truce.
On January 10, 1847, Flores left Los Angeles and stayed at Los Verdugos. He held a final council, in which he decided to leave California. He transferred command to Andrés Pico and departed that night, the 11th, for Sonora. Before leaving Los Angeles he released all of the prisoners.
References
- Whitehead, Roy E. (1978). Lugo: A Chronicle of Early California. Redlands, CA: San Bernardino County Museum Assoc. ISBN 0-915158-11-6.
- Harlow, Neal (1982). California Conquered: War and Peace on the Pacific, 1846-1850. Berkeley: University of California Press. ISBN 0-520-04430-4.
