S2 E12 Bear Flag Part 3 Sonoma Insurrection June 1846

In this episode, we continue with the Bear Flag Revolt, with lots of perspectives and parallel subplots. In this episode, we re-live one part of a bigger story, that starts the revolt. 

Out of context, this is sheer comedy. In context, the aftermath, which I won’t have time to get into, today, lacks humor, and leaves people in both the Mexican and American governments unhappy.

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Transcript

Intro

I was taught California history that typically portrayed American bravery that may not be … an accurate depiction of what occurred. So, with an open mind, I research a historical event, based on what I understand to be true, against what my independent study discovers. 

In this episode, we continue with the Bear Flag Revolt, with lots of perspectives and parallel subplots. In this episode, we re-live one part of a bigger story, that starts the revolt. 

Out of context, this is sheer comedy. In context, the aftermath, which I won’t have time to get into, today, lacks humor, and leaves people in both the Mexican and American governments unhappy. 

Today’s episode is largely based on:

Tays, George. “Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo and Sonoma: A Biography and a History. Chapter XII The Bears Arrive” California Historical Society Quarterly 17, no. 3 (1938): 219–42. https://doi.org/10.2307/25160786.

This is a story I’ve been waiting to bring to life. I’m ready. Are you ready? Here we go.

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Prologue

<swoosh>

June 13, 1846, it’s 11 o’clock in the evening, and twenty-some-odd American men on horses, start their journey from John Fremont’s camp, near Sutter’s Fort, in New Helvetica, to meet in St. Helena, gathering more men as they traveled. The last stop was to be Sonoma, during the night. 

Ezekiel Merritt has, so far, led this group, from Fremont’s camp, to this point. A group of rugged fur trappers and deserted sailors, but not one military man among them.

At dawn, now 32 men arrive at the border of Sonoma, and cautiously advance, looking for guards protecting the town. But, no guards are spotted, so the men quickly ride toward the plaza and surround the front of General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo’s home. A few of the men dismount their horses and use the butts of their pistols to pound on Vallejo’s grand front door. 

Vallejo is startled from his sleep, after hearing the pounding at his front door, and goes to the window where he can see, and hear, a group of rough-looking armed men, worked up about something, and realizes the front of his house is surrounded by this group. He describes them as “a rough, sinister, ugly-looking group of men.” 

Vallejo’s wife is now awake and begs her husband to escape from the back. But, General Vallejo sees that as a cowardly move, unfitting of his military position. Additionally, he will not leave his wife and children at a moment like this. 

This surprise will become the Bear Flag Revolt. 

<rewind>

Let’s take a step back and quickly review the preceding events and facts. 

After Captain John Fremont’s unsuccessful standoff with Mexico’s General Jose Castro, at Gavilan Peak, in March 1846, Fremont, who is currently a captain of topical engineering for the U.S. Army, retreated, with his men, to the Oregon border. While en route to Oregon, on April 5th, Fremont attacked between 150 – 200 (reports differ) of Wintu Indian people, mostly women, and children, along the Sacramento River, near current-day Redding. This will be called the Sacramento River Massacre. 

On May 10, 1846, upon reaching Klamath Lake, Oregon, Fremont’s group kills an additional 15 natives. 

After the fact, history said Fremont, on May 25th, 1846, received secret instructions from Lieutenant Archibald Gillespie, of the United States Marine Corps. Long rumor short, nothing supports that Gillespie delivered anything except regular correspondence from Fremont’s wife, and other military personnel. 

Whatever Gillespie supposedly relayed verbally, or provided written on a small piece of paper, or cryptically written in one of the letters he delivered to Fremont, as the various versions of this story goes, for certain something encourages Fremont to return to the Sacramento Valley. And, on that day, Fremont said something to the gathering Americans, that made them believe Fremont was acting on official instruction as he instigated, advised, and encouraged the forming militia. 

Nothing has since come out, even from Fremont, to say, or to prove, this secret instruction story was true. I’ll provide a link to an interesting, and humorously factual, read about this secret correspondence narrative.

Tays, George. “Frémont Had No Secret Instructions.” Pacific Historical Review 9, no. 2 (1940): 157–71. https://doi.org/10.2307/3633082.

Very likely, Fremont, upon hearing war with Mexico’s Texas had started, and will officially begin with California, in the next month, may have taken it upon himself to get involved. That was foreshadowing, so hold on to that.

And now, backstory on the Vallejo family.

The Vallejos were practically Californio royalty, the Kennedys of their time, very powerful and well-known for their political and military participation, not to mention, the largest landowners in Northern California. This was a prominent, high society family, proudly of Spanish descent, known for their refinement, wealth, education, and popularity. The Vallejo’s three-day fandangos were generously legendary as they provided the best of the best to their guests.

Their California military history beings in 1776 when Ignacio Vicente Ferrer Vallejo began his military career in California, becoming a ‘Distinguished Sergeant’ serving in San Diego, Monterey, Soledad, San Jose, Santa Cruz, and San Luis Obispo. Sidenote, Vallejo military history goes farther back than 1776, in Spain’s Mexico.

All the Vallejo men have military careers. But, Mariano, becomes the most famous. He’s a gifted student, and as a young teen, learns French, Latin and English with his private tutors, and moves through the military ranks very quickly. At age 20, Vallejo is in a higher rank than his father. 

In 1834, Mariano Vallejo, as Mexican Military Commander and Director of Colonization of the Northern Frontier, moves his military headquarters from the Presidio, in the District of San Francisco (soon to become Yerba Buena), to Sonoma.

As this evening’s skirmish is happening, Vallejo holds the highest military post in Alta California, not just California, as Commanding General of Alta California. Basically, the United States equivalent of the Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff.

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Vallejo’s Front Door

Back to the scene at General Mariano Vallejo’s front door, where I’ll remind you, not one man at Vallejo’s door has ever held a military position.

While the description of the men differs, I’ll use Hubert Howe Bancroft’s description from his “History of California”. When Vallejo looked out his window he saw a group of armed men in flat skin caps, made of raccoon, and some in coyote skin, wearing red bandanas and dirty, buckskin shirts. Basically, the expected clothing of mountain men. Vallejo, an experienced man of the military, also noted, not one man was wearing official attire.

It was clear the men weren’t there for tea, so Vallejo quickly dresses in his full military uniform. Psychologically, Vallejo was making it clear to the men, via his military dress, adorned with medals, whom they were speaking with. In my opinion, it also speaks to Vallejo’s refinement and professionalism, for taking this just as seriously as if a uniformed army arrived.

Just as Vallejo opens his large front door, a swarm of armed angry men fill his hallway, hollering about … something… 

Vallejo, taking control of the chaos, now in his house, yells above all the racket, “Gentlemen! What is it you would have of me, and who is the leader among you?” 

Someone in the crowd responds, “We are all leaders, here.”

(Sigh) Okay. Vallejo tries again. “Who is the person among you with whom I shall deal?”

History differs. Vallejo, in his interview with Hubert Howe Bancroft, said they first pointed toward William Brown Ide, the eldest of the bunch, before Captain Ezekiel Merritt. But, accounts from the militia of that night said they pointed only at Captain Ezekiel Merritt. So, I’m going with that last one.

Vallejo asks, "Mr. Merritt, to what happy circumstances shall I attribute the visit of so many exalted personages?" I had to translate that into 2022.  “…of so many highly regarded dignitaries.” (You have to hand it Vallejo for having a sense of humor in a tense moment.)

Those are fancy words for Merritt, but he responds, "I, and the rest of these gentlemen, in my company, have resolved not to continue to live any longer under the Mexican Government, whose representatives, Castro and Pico, do not respect the rights of Americans who live in this Department. Castro, from time to time, has issued proclamations treating us all as highwaymen, and so, to put an end to so many insults, we have resolved to declare … California … independent. Towards you and your family, we have no other feeling than regard, but we find ourselves under the necessity of taking you and your family prisoner.” 

It’s going to be a long night.

The referenced “disrespect” was Mexico tightening its immigration laws, requiring Americans to have passports … in … Mexico’s California, and to become Mexican citizens if they plan to permanently live here. Previously, Mexico had been relaxed about their rules and it was becoming a problem. 

And, to exhibit how unjust this is, this small group of Americans have declared California to be an independent country on behalf of … no one. 

Also living off of the plaza, and hearing the ruckus, Salvador Vallejo, Mariano’s brother, Jose de la Rosa, Jacob Primer Leese and Victor Prudon arrive at Mariano Vallejo’s house. The Americans, already on a bold streak, arrest all of them, while they decide what to do with General Vallejo. 

If this isn’t crazy enough, the story takes another bizarre turn. 

Sonoma resident, and Canadian, Oliver Beaulieu takes this moment to retrieve a barrel of brandy, which he gives to Merritt’s group, outside the house. Supplying free liquor to an armed, angry militia, lacking a plan. What could go wrong?

Once the brandy made the group ‘pleasantly schnockered’, Mr. Brandy himself, Oliver Beaulieu, with William Scott, and John Sears start to chant, “Let us loot! Let us loot!” or, according to Vallejo it was “Get the loot! Get the loot!” Either way, the group wants to loot.

Dr. Robert Semple, the voice of reason in the group, and normally a nondrinker, shuts this down. 

“I shall shoot the first man who, through robbery, casts a blot upon this expedition, to whose origin, I have contributed in carrying forward, a political end. As long as there is any life left in me, I shall not permit it to become a looting expedition.” 

John Grigsby and Andrew Kelsey immediately support Semple’s attempt to keep this a political expedition. 

Bear Flag Disaster #1, averted.

Let’s go back inside the house to see what is going on.

Vallejo, being extremely knowledgeable in military matters, asks to enter a negation with the correct people, saying he is very interested in hearing what they have come for, and would like to proceed on friendly terms. Semple, Merritt, Knight, Kelsey, and William Fallon all step forward.

Vallejo is a refined and dignified man, and his reputation as a host is renowned, even at moments such as this. Vallejo asks his servants to bring glasses, and his best brandy and wine, while they discuss their negotiations. Everyone seems to relax after witnessing Vallejo’s hospitality. 

Vallejo asks a few military-based questions about this revolt, and the terms of his imprisonment, and quickly realizes these men haven’t formalized a plan for their revolution, or even what they wanted the intended outcome to be. Other than obstructing the enemy of government property, weapons and officers, they hadn’t thought out the next step. 

They didn’t formal leader, or a plan after taking command of the highest-ranking military official in Alta California. 

What did come up this evening, was that they were acting under the advice of John Charles Fremont.

Vallejo, for his own sanity, and protection, insists on helping the men with their plans, since they were going to take him as a prisoner. Vallejo asks, “Surely you must have articles of capitulation for such an action, correct?” No. Nor did they know what that was. 

Vallejo offered to help them create, and write, the capitulation. By the way, Vallejo is not drinking. But, being a good host, he ensures his guests keep drinking and serves a few more rounds of brandy and wine. 

An hour passes, and the men outside have been drinking from the barrel of brandy and waiting. “Why didn’t the committee inside finish its job and bring out the prisoners?” they asked. Merritt was voted out as the leader and John Grigsby was voted in as the new leader. 

“Go in and see what has happened, John. And then, come out and tell us. See if you can’t hurry them up.” 

Grigsby bravely approaches the house, ready for whatever might be on the other side of the door … which is Merritt, sitting at the table, and greets him, “Ah! John. Sit down and have a drink.” 

Grigsby, displaying his new authority says “NO! I did not come here for drinking. I am the new captain, and I want you to come out with me, now!”

Everyone stopped and looked at Grigsby and said, “No, no. Come and have just one drink”. 

Well, that one drink led to another, and … it must have been Vallejo’s finest brandy. 

Another hour passes, and the intoxicated men, outside the house, are wondering where this idea failed? They thought someone had established a complete plan after speaking with Fremont. 

But now, things appear unorganized. To the militia, they watched both leaders, Merritt and Grigsby, enter the house without returning. 

It’s been over two hours. Are their men inside in danger and held against their will? 

They decide to send William Brown Ide, a Mormon, and nondrinker, to solve whatever was going on inside the house. They probably should have led with Ide from the beginning.

Ide was told to go in and at least come back out. 

Ide enters Vallejo’s Casa Grande … and finds Merritt, Grigsby, and Semple, sloppy, sloshed, soused, stewed to the gills, smashed, sozzled, spiffed, swizzled, swozzled... 

Merritt, unable to even sit up, is resting his intoxicated head, on his arms, on the table. Fallon and Kelsey are just as intoxicated, but at least they can sit up. In a corner of the room, Leese is working with Semple on writing the articles of capitulation. But, Semple is having trouble pushing the pen to sign his name. 

Meanwhile, Salvador and Mariano Vallejo, Jacob Primer Leese, and Victor Prudon, are all sober as judges.

The articles of capitulation are written, and signed, in both English and Spanish.

Bear Flag Disaster #2 averted.

From Mexico’s California:

“Be it known by these present, that, having been surprised by a numerous armed force which took me prisoner, as well as the chiefs and officers belonging to the garrison of this post, of which the said force took possession, having found it absolutely defenceless, myself as well as the undersigned officers pledge our word of honor that, being under the guaranties of prisoners of war, we will not take up arms for, or against, the said armed force, from which we have received the present suggestion, and a signed writ which guarantees our lives, families, and properties, and those of all the residents of this jurisdiction, so long as we make no opposition. 

(Signed) M. G. Vallejo, Victor Prudon, Salvador Vallejo”

From the new Republic of California (note, not the United States):

“We, the undersigned, having resolved to establish a government, upon republican principles, in connection with others of our fellow citizens, and having taken up arms to support it, we have taken three Mexican officers, Gen. M. G. Vallejo, Lieut-col. Victor Prudon, and Capt. Salvador Vallejo, having formed, and published, to the world, no regular plan of government, feel it our duty to say that it is not our intention to take, or injure, any person who is not found in opposition to the cause, nor will we take, or destroy, the property of private individuals, further than is necessary, for our immediate support.

(Signed) Ezekiel Merritt, William Fallon. Samuel Kelsey.”

Definitions 

Let’s define the word insurrection. An uprising against an authority or government. Another definition. An act, or instance, of revolting against civil authority or an established government. (Apparently, it doesn’t have to be against your own government.) 

Ide, as promised, goes outside, and reads the articles of capitulation …  to stunned silence. 

I imagine the thoughts, where, “Who wrote that? That doesn’t even sound like them.” 

By this point, the men drinking brandy outside the house knew they wanted to take the prisoners to Sutter’s Fort, that night, while their brandy drinking leaders inside the house, have asked to parole the prisoners, that night, based on the signed articles of capitulation. 

Stalemate.

By now, it’s the early morning of June 15th, 1846.

A very intoxicated Grigsby stumbles, from inside the house, to the front door, and yells out to the group, “What were Fremont’s orders on this?” 

(Long pause.) More silence and confusion. 

Grigsby’s assumption was that Fremont had given someone the orders on how to proceed. But, based on the blank stares, and silence, that wasn’t the case. 

Grigsby continues, “I thought we had the United States behind us. I have been deceived. I will not go on, but I will resign and take my family across the Sierra Nevada.” Sober thought for an unsober man.

The militia start to walk away, and this insurrection/revolt is falling apart. 

Ide takes the bull by the horns and says, “Attention, men! I want no fresh horse. I am going to stay and not be a coward. I began with honorable motives and I will stay by them. So much you do, or be disgraced. We must carry out our plan, or be regarded as thieves and robbers.”

This pep talk rallies the men, and Ide becomes the new captain, and together, they decide to send the prisoners to Fremont’s camp, near New Helvetica, before going to Sutter’s Fort.

Bear Flag Disaster #3 averted.

Vallejo was fine with going to Fremont’s camp before Sutter’s Fort. He is on friendly terms with several high level Americans, including John Sutter, having helped numerous Americans get settled in California with gifted horses, cows and even land, because he’s openly in favor of California being under the United States. 

Vallejo is also assured, the insurgents are acting on Fremont’s orders, and is positive once he meets with Fremont, he and the other prisoners will be paroled. So, Vallejo agrees with the plan, everyone agrees, and everyone goes to bed, knowing later that morning, they will get up and be prisoners. 

What everyone doesn’t know, was as the glasses and liquor were being gathered, and served, Vallejo secretly sent a verbal message to his very good friend, Captain John Montgomery of the USS Portsmouth, currently anchored off Sausalito. No one noticed the messenger/prisoner, Jose de la Rosa, as he snuck away, for what would take a day of travel, to reach Captain Montgomery. 

Serving brandy and wine provided a second purpose beyond being a good host. It was a distraction … in more ways than one. Well played, Vallejo.

On June 15th, Captain Montgomery is shocked by the news of this insurrection, because he is completely unaware of it, and disavows this insurrection, and also disavows it on Fremont’s behalf … who had no authority to have orchestrated such a revolt. 

Montgomery has been in California since April 1846 waiting for official orders. There was no need for this rag-tag group, unassociated with the United States military, to get involved. The ships were already positioned for the takeover, two months before this revolt. 

Captain Montgomery is in a strange position. Since this was not an official, or unofficial, act of the United States, Montgomery could only try to prevent violence as an individual, because … this revolt was not on behalf of the United States. Montgomery told de la Rosa, he had no jurisdiction to act, as this was a local matter for Mexico and California to deal with. … 

But, after sleeping on it, the next morning, Montgomery changes his mind. Yes, Vallejo is his personal friend. But, in the name of preserving order as it relates to the impending war for California, on June 16th, Montgomery sends Lieutenant John Missroon to protect the inhabitants of Sonoma, the prisoner’s family, and their property.

This, dear listeners, is the Bear Flag Revolt. A half-baked insurrection, unofficial advice and incitement, from John Fremont, who was not acting on official orders, or with authority, to organize a private effort to instigate such a movement. 

To Montgomery, he was shocked to hear his junior, Fremont, would insert himself into an already in motion, officially planned, war, detrimental to the overall objective. Additionally confusing was:

1. Fremont had expressed to Montgomery, personally, and many others, that he was headed back home to the East Coast.

2. Captain Sloat on the Savannah, was additionally docked in San Francisco as of June 8, and Montgomery on the Portsmouth as of April, in Sausalito, so why would Fremont think they needed him?

My opinion, here, I believe the United States created the ‘secret message’ narrative to excuse Fremont, who, without authority, or ranking, organized, or at least, instigated, this event. The alternative is admitting the son-in-law of a powerful senator, caused a public relations mess, that interfered with a soon-to-happen war for California. You know, like what happened with the Fremont Episode at Gavilan Peak, except, now on a larger scale.

No one needed, or asked, for 32 nonmilitary men to create an independent republic out of California.

Once the top United States military commanders caught wind of this insurrection, they became angry with Fremont for obstructing their already in-motion plans. No one knew about this Bear Flag Revolt, nor were they happy with a group of nonmilitary men, taking Alta California’s highest-ranking military officer as a prisoner. 

This revolt interfered with President Polk’s plan to maintain friendly relations with Mexico, for an amicable takeover of California. 

Thankfully, Vallejo was a gentleman about the entire event.

Fremont immediately back peddled, once realizing the revolt was seen negatively, and quickly denied helping to organize the movement. But, the Bears, of the Bear Flag Revolt, will continue to say they were following Fremont’s guidance. 

Not only did the Bear Flag Revolt not need to happen, but it also wasn’t supposed to happen. 

Flag Raised

Back to the morning of June 15th, Mariano and Salvador Vallejo, and Victor Prudon are taken prisoners, as agreed, and start their way to Fremont’s camp, before going to Sutter’s Fort. Jacob Primer Leese was meant to accompany the prisoners as the official interpreter, but he also becomes a prisoner.

The Bear Flag was raised the afternoon of June 15th, which read, “California Republic” with a red star and a stripe, and a bear on all fours that was said to look more like a pig than a bear. 

The revolters/militia/insurrectionists will be called “los Osos” or, “the bears”, and assign Henry L. Ford as another new captain of the Bears, from June 15th until either June 25th or 28th, when Fremont assumes official leadership of the movement. You know, the revolt he did not help to plan?

Vallejo believed he would be home in five days, but, that did not happen, and, the comedy around the Bear Flag Revolt ends here, and I don’t want to make light of the actual imprisonment, and betrayal of the articles of capitulation, because the rest of this story is not funny and I invite you to research the imprisonment of Vallejo and others. 

The insurrection continued for 26 days, leaving the United States military scrambling to smooth over this unexpected event and moving up the timeline to take possession of California due to this unexpected event. 

The Aftermath

What history is clear on, is exactly when Fremont became officially involved with the revolt is precisely when the PR spin begins to cloud and mythologize the Bear Flag Revolt. Fremont’s father-in-law, a powerful senator, will help Fremont out of this, as well as other, self-created ‘situations’.

Every new leader, of the revolt, technically became the President of the Republic of California. So, we had President Merritt, President Grigsby, President Ide, President Ford in one day, and then President Fremont. 

<Circus music>

There was no officially named leader, proven by how fluid the position was, and the only government official involved, was a captain of topical engineering for the U.S. Army, who, denies early involvement. 

The Bears said they were taking their lead from Fremont, but Fremont won’t admit to having orchestrated the movement, or even how his words could have instigated it. 

Different United States officials will say this event is a blemish on the relations between Mexico and the United States. Yet, some will say it was the most courageous act of bravery and tied it to the Mexican American war. The most nationally complimentary narrative won and that’s what I was taught in school. 

Thomas Larkin, John Marsh and Alexander Leidesdorff, all Americans, living in California, in favor of California becoming part of the United States, were shocked and appalled by the Bear Flag Revolt. 

I’ll end with letters from Thomas Larkin, capturing the changing view, regarding the Bear Flag Revolt, and remind you that Fremont didn’t officially take over the revolt, until June 25th or June 28th.

Larkin’s Letters

Upon hearing of the revolt, Larkin wrote to Leidesdorff, in Yerba Buena, at 10:30 p.m. on June 18th, three days after the revolt started. “There is a supposition that this affair is started by Fremont and that I was aware of it. I knew nothing of it and don’t believe they do. I suppose it was a personal affair.” 

Larkin states people believe Fremont started the event, and Larkin knew about it. But, he says he was not involved, or aware, of the Bear Flag Revolt, and believed the same was true for Fremont.

A year later, as more information was uncovered, Larkin wrote, “I thought Colonel Fremont too young, and also culpable, for moving in the affair of the Bear Party, and perhaps putting the Bear Party in motion, though my dispatch at the time, he was not mentioned as one of the party.” 

Larkin is admitting while Fremont’s name was not initially tied to the revolt, a year later, he believes Fremont was actually involved in planning the revolt. 

Epilogue

The Bear Flag Revolt did not influence California becoming a United States territory, since the Mexican American War was already in motion with Texas, and two ships of war were already along the coast of California gearing to capture California. Yet, Fremont, in his memoirs of 1887 said he “single-handily won California for the United States”. 

Fremont later admits to helping initially form the Bear Flag Revolt, except when he didn’t. When it was positive, he was involved. When it was negative, he wasn’t involved. Seriously. It’s just as convoluted as it sounds. 

I’m skipping over a lot of history. A year and a half later, on Jan. 31, 1848, for reasons, this time, directly connected to the Mexican American war for California, John Charles Fremont was court-martialed for mutiny, disobedience, conduct prejudicing good order and military discipline, and for failing to obey the orders of a superior officer. Fremont was found guilty of all charges.

Today, the Sonoma Plaza has a large bronze Bear Flag Monument, commemorating the spot where this event took place. It’s a 20-foot-tall statue of a bear flagger, heroically holding up the Bear Flag. A victor and hero. 

The monument is missing two important things: the real star and barrel of brandy, and Fremont whispering in the bear flagger’s ear. 

This monument represents American bravery that may not be … an accurate depiction of what occurred that night.

Closing

You can visit Monkey Block, at facebook.com/MonkeyBlockSF, or twitter.com/monkeyblocksf, or email me directly at monkeyblocksf@gmail.com.

Thank you for listening. This is MonkeyBlock, retelling forgotten stories from San Francisco’s golden past.