Monkey Block San Francisco's Golden History
Monkey Block San Francisco's Golden History
S4 Ep2 Give Me Back My Horse, Charles Weber, Part 2 of the Battle of Santa Clara
In the last episode I discussed the lead up to the Battle of Santa Clara. I chased this rabbit hole of a topic to figure out why Washington Allon Bartlett, Yerba Buena's first American alcalde, was missing for a period of time during his very short term in office.
How are these two items connected? Listen and find out.
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Ding, ding, ding. We have a repeat donator. SoCal Jules contributed a second time to the Monkey Block Project. And, it wasn’t a mistake, either. And, we have two different contributions from two different ‘Someone’s’. Thank you, Jules and Someone’s. I appreciate you all three of you.
In today’s episode, I continue to use John Henry Brown’s account from his “Reminisces and Incidents of the early days of San Francisco” and balance out his version with Dorothy Regnery’s account of her very well-written and researched book, “The Battle of Santa Clara”.
In my last episode, I cautioned that John Henry Brown’s comical writing lacked accuracy. But, sometimes a story is worth sharing anyway, so I do that again today. To gather the information for this episode, I did more on the spot research than normal. I went to the Sanchez Adobe and interviewed their docent, and to the San Mateo County museum. I read two memoires and one book. Whew!
Are you ready? Here we go.
Oliver: Quick Recap from the Last Episode
On December 14, 1846, Washington Allon Bartlett and six volunteer soldiers arrive at Mission Dolores to start a spy mission. Bartlett, who was Yerba Buena’s Alcalde, was acting as a civil servant trying to secure cattle, and not a spy, trying to figure out if a Californio attack was coming. Bartlett’s close relationships with prominent Californios like the Vallejos, the Sanchez’s, Noes, Guerreros, etc., meant no one would suspect him of being a spy. Or, that’s what Bartlett thought.
When Bartlett and his soldiers arrived at Mission Dolores, they accepted an invitation to join a fiesta in progress.
On December 15, the following morning, still awake from the party, Bartlett and his six volunteer soldiers, left Mission Dolores to Rancho Buri Buri.
Why? During the fiesta, Jose de la Cruz Sanchez offered Bartlett 20 – 30 cows on the condition Bartlett retrieved the cows himself from his Rancho Buri Buri.
Bartlett notified Captain Hull that his spy party was moving to Rancho Buri Buri. Captain Hull admonished Bartlett for leaving the confines of Mission Dolores, but Bartlett said he knew better.
Once at Rancho Buri Buri, Jose de la Cruz offered the Americans a place to rest for the night since they looked tired from the fiesta. They could take the cows in the morning.
Unknown to Bartlett, while he danced at the fiesta, Jose de la Cruz’ youngest brother, Manuel Sanchez was arrested in Yerba Buena, wrongly accused of being a spy, when really he was just a drunk young man. Yet he was held under high security on a US ship of war. Not in the drunk tank on land. And, I believe that’s what alarmed the Sanchez family. Their youngest brother was singled out for being more than a drunk man being jailed for the night.
The Americans, in Yerba Buena and Monterey, believed Californios were planning an uprising and the young Sanchez brother, drunk in Yerba Buena, was suspicious. (I wish I had anything to support why the Americans felt that way.)
On the Californios side, they were tired of the Americans ongoing horse and cattle thievery. When word spread regarding Manuel Sanchez’ imprisonment for being a suspected spy, this became the last straw. Something had to be done in retaliation.
While Bartlett and his soldiers slept, at Rancho Buri Buri, Jose de la Cruz Sanchez notified his more famous military brother Francisco Sanchez, that he had Bartlett at his rancho. This was the perfect opportunity to retaliate.
On December 16th after sleeping off the brandy, in the morning, Bartlett was ready to take the cows back to Yerba Buena. Jose de la Cruz and his vaqueros rounded up the cattle for Bartlett, and his men, who were all inside of the coral, and that’s when … Francisco Sanchez and four other men surround the corral, trapping Bartlett and his men.
Yerba Buena’s Alcalde, Washington Allon Bartlett was taken prisoner at Rancho Buri Buri located in current day Millbrae.
What happens next is a Californio protest regarding the horse and cattle theft and NOT a statement against the United States government or the flag. The same Californio supporters of a US take over before this incident remained United States supporters after this incident.
Taking Bartlett as prisoner was to call attention to the US horse, cattle and supply theft that had been happening and mostly organized by Charles Weber. Bartlett was not a prisoner of war. More like a token. A bargaining chip.
Dear Listener, this is a storyline I had no idea about. At best, I read Alcalde Bartlett was away for a few weeks, but I never knew why. It was just a strange gap in his very short time as Alcalde of Yerba Buena. He was ‘gone’ for a few weeks.
Recap is done. On to today’s episode.
Oliver: They Warned Him Not to Do It
The night of the Mission Dolores fiesta, Bartlett was told not to leave the boundaries of Yerba Buena as it wasn’t safe given the rumored Californio attack that might happen. And, given his position as Yerba Buena’s Alcalde, Bartlett was constantly needed to handle matters or make decisions. Officials felt someone else should take on this spy mission. Leaving Yerba Buena unattended without an Alcalde was a bad idea. But, Bartlett had a reputation for being arrogant.
Oliver: The Californios Gather Support
From the Californio’s perspective, the Bear Flag revolt was an unnecessary display of force. A self formed militia had orchestrated an insurrection taking California’s highest ranking military officer, Mariano Vallejo, as hostage, who was, by the way, in favor of a US takeover.
A month after that, these same Bear Flaggers were also responsible for the death of a grandfather and his twin grandsons, the DeHaro twins, for incorrectly believing they were spies. (Speculation on my part, but I do wonder if the Sanchez brothers feared a similar fate for their youngest brother, Manuel, who was being held as a prisoner on suspicion of being a spy?)
The cattle, horse, property stealing was wide spread and continuous, and the arrest of Manual Sanchez was the final straw for the Sanchez brothers. If someone as young as Manual could get arrested for suspicion of spying, who was next?
Californios from the Peninsula, Santa Clara valley, Contra Costa and the East Bay came together for this cause. About 100 men in total.
Oliver: A Description of the Californios Who Assembled
The Californios involved were wealthy mature, more experienced men from parents and grand parents with significant military history in Spain’s California.
Captain Martson described the Californio protestors as being “badly armed and of the most ragged and forlorn set of men one could conceive – it was disgraceful to contend with such an enemy”.
It’s worth noting, in October 1846, all Californios were commanded to give up their weapons, arms and ammunition to the United States. Even the arms they hid from the US were quickly confiscated. So, if they were badly armed, there’s a reason.
But, Monterey’s Alcalde, Reverend Walter Colton described the Californio protestors, “with few exceptions, men of the better stamp – men with a permanent interest in the soil.”
You can pick which narrative you want to go with.
The Californio protestors only had 39 muskets among the 100 men.
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<knocking at the door>
Hold on. Someone’s at the door.
Oh, no. Would you look at that. The wildcard and loose cannon you would never bring around friends or family. John Henry Brown, everyone! The author of “Reminisces and Incidents of the early days of San Francisco”.
Brown: Hoo-WEEE!
Girlina: I’m unable to tell you how happy I am with your … unexpected visit. What made you unexpectedly visit the Outer Mission in 2024?
Brown: Thanks for inviting me in.
Girlina: I didn’t, but come in, anyway. I was just talking about the rancheros who were protesting their treatment by the United States.
Brown: That’s exactly why I showed up. I could virtually hear my name and my story being spoken.
Girlina: Wow. It’s like I manifested you. I’m going to guess you want to sit down and join my episode?
Brown: I thought you would never ask.
Girlina: And, I didn’t. For you? I only have decaf to offer.
Brown: What was that?
Girlina: Nothing. I was just saying the Californios had 39 muskets among themselves.
Brown: But, the guns were useless without gun powder. And, their 39 guns included what they took from Bartlett and his six men at Rancho Buri Buri.
Girlina: True. They had 19 lances, as well.
Brown: Their lances were just knives tied to willow branches.
Girlina: Their weapons and ammunition had been previously confiscated, so they made do with what they had. This wasn’t meant to be a war, just a protest.
Ten Californios carried proper swords. And, before you interject, those swords were symbolic of their past military status. More for show of who they were, than for use.
You know what they also had? Not just horses for everyone, but a stellar ability to ride their horses, which comes into play later in the story. The Americans had neither of these two things.
Of the 100 Californio men, 20 were from the Sanchez family.
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December 16th, the Californio protestors were now being led by Francisco Sanchez. This quickly became a caravan, with prisoner Bartlett and his six soldiers moving from rancho to rancho to ensure they wouldn’t be found until they were ready to negotiate with the Unites States.
From Rancho Buri Buri, the caravan first travelled to Francisco Sanchez’ rancho San Pedro, in current day Pacifica. Then, they quickly moved to the Guerrero Rancho in Montara and the Vasquez Rancho right next to it. And then to the Miramontez Rancho in current day Half Moon Bay.
December 17th, word traveled to Yerba Buena that Alcalde Bartlett and his men had been captured. You’d think everyone must be worried and ready for action upon hearing this news.
Charles Edward Pickett, of the Bear Flag Revolt, who I believe was now a shop owner in Yerba Buena said, “Some men from the Pueblo report that the Jose La Cruz Sanchez rancho is deserted except by some Indians, who told them that Sanchez had made Bartlett prisoner, and gone … they knew not where … There is not much sympathy felt for Bartlett, as all think he had no business leaving town, particularly as his presence is all the time necessary in his office; it seems his wish I believe to have a finger in every pie”.
Dorothy Regnery says Bartlett’s fellow military didn’t have sympathy for Bartlett being held as a prisoner which is why it took two weeks to gather a party to save him. Two weeks…
Brown: That’s a fine mess you got yourself into, Bartlett.
December 19th, Captain Mervine, in Yerba Buena, received word about Bartlett’s capture. But, still no action to save him.
December 20th, the Sanchez caravan traveled to Copinger’s Rancho near current day Woodside.
From there, the caravan moved much farther south and crossed Steven’s Creek, took a turn east past the Guadalupe River and up to Higuera’s Rancho in current day Milpitas, where additional Californio troops from Contra Costa met up with the caravan.
December 21st Captain Warren makes a military entry about Bartlett’s capture. And, it’s worth noting on this same day, Manuel Sanchez was released as prisoner. I’m not sure if the US expected any reaction from the Californios as a result of letting Manuel go.
Is this the moment the US troops head out to find Bartlett?
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Brown: Nope, nope and nope.
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December 24th, Charles Weber, the organizer and executor of the horse and cattle theft, and the reason for the protest, gather his group of men, and travel to Yerba Buena. A group of US volunteers from San Jose, merged with Charles Webber’s rangers. The US troops in this battle consisted of the Weber’s San Jose troops and the mostly military Yerba Buena troops.
The United States was unaware of the location and movements of the Sanchez caravan. They only knew that the caravan was continuously moving with prisoner Bartlett and his six soldiers. While the Californios didn’t have guns, they had strategy, and horses. And, they knew how to use both.
December 25th, Weber and company arrive at the Mission Dolores while they secure, or try to secure, more arms, ammunition and horses for all their men. It rains very heavily that night and the men were soaked and unprepared for such weather. Actually, the weather had been terrible for a few days at that point, which may have delayed their efforts to save Bartlett? Speculation on my part.
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Brown: Can I interrupt?
Girlina: You just did.
Brown: They only secured four horses that day. But, they did get more guns and ammunition.
Girlina: Thank you for that input. By the way, since I have you here, it’s interesting that in your memoire, you incorrectly refer to Charles Weber as Charles Weaver. You get several names wrong in your memoire as well as facts.
Brown: Ooops.
Girlina: You didn’t make my job easier. Despite the fact Jose de Jesus Noe was elected as Yerba Buena’s second in command Alcalde, basically the Vice Alcalde, George Hyde was instead asked to be the interim Alcalde until Bartlett returned. So much for the election results.
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December 29, the night shore patrols around Yerba Buena were increased to ensure Yerba Buena cove remained protected by and for the United States. (Just the visuals on that make it very clear this is no longer Mexico’s Yerba Buena or California.)
On this same day, December 29th a US force finally left Yerba Buena to find Bartlett. They left still under armed and very under horsed. But, this is when an unassuming player in this battle enters the scene. A canon. An old, old, old cannon which the US found at the Presidio and decided to drag along, in the mud, just in case they needed it. This canon has a story of its own, but that’s another episode that may or may not come to life.
December 31st, the Sanchez caravan moved near Mission Santa Clara. The immigrants (meaning non Mexican citizens) who now lived at the mission, could see the Sanchez caravan campfires. And, things start to heat up. This will become the Battle of Santa Clara.
All during this time, Bartlett and his soldiers were writing letters to Captain Hull saying they were being treated very well. They were nicely fed and housed. (Good to know.)
January 1st, 1847, the Sanchez caravan moved over ‘The Old Spanish Bridge’ now called the Trimble Road or ‘de la Cruz expressway’, (as in “Jose de la Cruz”?) over the Guadalupe River.
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Oliver: The Terrain Plays a Role
The Bay Area Californios knew their terrain, any day of the week, and certainly better than their opponent. The harsh rain and notoriously muddy conditions were not a problem for those used to these weather conditions and knowledge of which trails to take and which to avoid.
The same can’t be said for the American soldiers and other volunteers. They were struggling, as they traveled, to deal with the weather conditions.
The US men didn’t all have horses, so many were … slowly … walking through or getting stuck in the pasty mud. And they were often slowed down by that cannon which would get stuck in mud as they dragged it along. (You’d think at some point they would have ditched the canon.)
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Girlina: John, it seems at this point, you became personally involved in this matter. You decided to join the United States.
Brown: Yes, ma’am, I did.
Girlina: Despite the advantages you were given by the Californios and the people of the San Francisco District. I guess in the long run, it was a better political move to side with the United States.
Brown: I’m not green, Miss Girlina. I may be foolish, but I’m not a fool.
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Girlina: You and other volunteers left the District of San Francisco on January 1st to save Bartlett and travel to Jose de la Cruz’ now empty house on Rancho Buri Buri, where you found some US Marines had entered the home by breaking a window, and made themselves at home. This is exactly what the treaty said the United States wouldn’t do to the Californios, and part of the reason for the Californios protest.
They used his flour to make soft tack. Killed two of his pigs and a cow which everyone, including you ate that day.
Brown: “The US Marines, were having a great time when we arrived. They used his large adobe oven, which was quite convenient. A bunch of soft tack, one beef and two hogs, we fared well.”
Girlina: I like how badly you botched his name. “Josa laCrooz”. Now joined with the Marines, you left Rancho Buri Buri, and continued the travel. You describe a hilarious tale about one of the soldiers and a spur.
Brown: Oh! Okay. “There was one of our soldiers, who was always lagging behind; it was almost impossible to keep him up with the company. His name was Holbrook, of Boston. He arrived here as Super-Cargo of a Brig. Captain Smith ordered him to keep up with the company, or he would be liable to be picked off by the Californians. He said he could not make his horse go, as he had no spurs.
The captain took one of his own spurs off and gave it to Holbrook, and told him to put it on and keep up with the company. But, he commenced fastening the spur to his toe, instead of his heel.
The Captain became angry, and took the spur from him, ordering us to drive him in among the loose horses, and keep him there.”
Girlina: I want to question a part of what you just said. The US men did not all have horses to ride, so why would they have loose horses? That would seem like dead weight. But, then again, they lugged that ancient cannon with them.
And, regarding the naïve soldier, why did you keep him? By the way, his name was Washington Holbrook. He arrived in Yerba Buena as a supercargo in July 1846, on the ship Brooklyn with the Mormons. And then again in 1848 on the ship Sabine. He brought the first melodeon to San Francisco.
Brown: How did you know that?
Girlina: I’ve spent time fact checking and correcting your information for this episode. His name showed up in a diary from Augusta Joyce Crocheron, a passenger on the ship Brooklyn. Interesting read.
Perhaps later that day, you and Julius Martin had a male bonding moment of sorts.
Brown: We did. At this point, the Californios were near Santa Clara and so were we. I was riding with Martin when we spotted a Californio wearing a red sarape up on a hill. Martin said he wanted to carry a message to the Californios and asked me to keep a sharp lookout. He got off his horse, rested on his saddle, and sent the messenger on his errand.
Girlina: He sent a message? Did the messenger deliver the message?
Brown: Oh, his message was received. I saw two men leading the wounded man off the field. Julius Martin was considered one of the best shots in the United States.
Girlina: For the record, Dear Listeners, I don’t know if this story really happened. It was about this time when the battle began and the bullets started flying. The messengers.
The sides were evenly matched. Americans had 101 members. The Californios had 100. The United States had the advantage of better guns and ammunition for the guns. The Californios had the advantage of each man having a horse and expert abilities on the horses, which meant fast mobility. The Californios knew the land and had access to the ranchos in the area for supplies and places to sleep. The Americans had access to the abandoned Missions which they now managed.
I have to assume the Californios game theory was to keep the Americans surrounded until their supplies ran out to start a negotiation regarding the horse and cattle theft and releasing Bartlett. Let’s see what happens next.
The Americans were in the terrible cold and rain without tents or baggage and mostly on foot since they lacked horses for most of the soldiers. Not knowing the land and not having support outposts, or easy mobility, left them vulnerable and surrounded by the Californios.
Regnery comically writes that the Californios without weapons, or ammunition for their few guns, could only shout threats and insults to their enemy and perform equestrian feats from a distance. I’m imagining Californios doing fancy horse tricks at the top of a ridge, shouting insults down to the Americans, who are stuck in mud along with that albatross of a cannon.
“You have the grace of a dancing bear.” “I’ve seen mules smarter than you.”
Brown: All while doing fancy horse tricks from a ridge.
Girlina: The heavy rain and cold weather continued. On the morning of January 2nd, the Californios surrounded the enemy into the bottom of a marshy flat, literally stuck in mud. The Americans were up to their knees in mud. The Californios, saw their enemy as vulnerable, and came in closer and began shouting “Viva Mexico” to taunt the Americans into battle.
The Americans, realizing they were vulnerable, used their muskets and actually fired off the cannon three times, which caused the wagon wheels to sink further into the mud. The Californios were amused watching this play out. But, shooting muskets and firing the cannon, successfully made the Californios retreat.
And, the Americans bought themselves some time and retreated back to the Mission Santa Clara which was low on supplies of every kind.
Girlina: After returning to the Mission Santa Clara, the Americans discovered two small injuries. A minor head wound to a Marine and another injury to a volunteer, who had a bullet graze his heel, making him unable to walk for a few days.
Brown: We didn’t know it at the time, but it turned out that was all due to friendly fire. That’s what you call it these days when you accidentally injure your own?
Girlina: Correct.
Oliver: And, Now The Armistice
Girlina: That evening, January 2nd, everything went quiet on both sides. The Sanchez protestors asked to speak with the persons in charge on the American’s side. It wasn’t a surrender or an offer for both sides to surrender. It was meant to start negotiations. The Californios had cornered their enemy and the Americans knew it as well.
The next morning, it was rainy and cold on January 3rd. Three US captains asked Alexander Forbes, to act as interpreter and negotiator to help them make peace with the Californios.
The United States rode with a white flag, to meet Francisco and Jose de la Cruz Sanchez, Domingo Feliz and Washington Bartlett, carrying a note stating they desired peace to avoid loss of life. That ride was about a mile, so the two sides were close enough to attack, if either side wanted to.
John, you said Francisco Sanchez was surprised to see the United States approaching him for peace with a white flag, but he was also surprised to see two of his close friends were among the men who arrived, meaning his two friends had taken up arms against him.
Brown: His US friends deflected saying their sole object was to promote peace without a loss of life. That’s how his two friends got out of that.
Girlina: This is speculation on my part. While the two minor injuries may have been enough of a threat, before it was known to be friendly fire, for the Americans had conditions to calling a truce.
Brown: And so did the Californios.
Girlina: Francisco explained the rancheros were objecting to the horse and cattle theft, without the promised compensation stated in the American treaty.
This is a snippet from a letter from Captain Duvall, who was at the Armistice meetings/negotiations:
“Sanchez began the conference by stating the reasons why he had taken up arms. He said that all his effort were directed against Weber whom they were resolved to destroy. That he had committed a hundred outrages such as taking horses and saddles without giving receipts, that from many persons he had taken their blankets and that some of his company had wantonly destroyed some of the inhabitants property. Weber had threatened to take his son prisoner. He had not much to complain about the United States government, but wished only the dismissal of Weber.”
Bartlett, who was also at the Armistice said of this moment, “They all profess no ill will to the flag or the government of the United States. On the contrary, they were glad to see it waving in California, but consider that it has been deeply disgraced by the acts of irresponsible persons. And that for some reasons, their complaints of the injustice done them, has not been attended to, when they have complained.
During conversations with them during my detention in their camp, and having visited most of the ranchos in the District of San Francisco, and the marches, I have become convinced that the complaints of the people are not without foundation. And, also, that nothing but a deep sense of injury and fear for their future safety would have caused the leading men of this armed force to have given it their council and support.”
Brown: Sanchez said he would agree to the terms but only on the condition that he fights a duel with Charles Weber.
Girlina: Dear Listeners, I couldn’t find anything to support Francisco Sanchez suggested a duel.
Please continue.
Brown: They were curious why Francisco had singled out Weber.
Francisco said “Charlie Weber had received from the Mexican Government, all the privileges of a citizen, he had been made a prisoner in the commencement of the war; but had got his release on ‘‘parole of honor.’’ A week afterwards Weber becomes an officer of the United States and raised a company to fight the Californios”.
Girlina: Did you catch that? Weber, the horse and cattle thief, an officer of the United States, was responsible for coordinating the horse and cattle theft. The Californios considered Charles Weber a Mexican citizen and yet he becomes a US officer responsible for the theft.
Charles Weber, the cause of this battle, caused another stir when he incorrectly told the Californio women to claim the bodies from the battle at the Mission Santa Clara. There were zero casualties and the only known injuries were on the American side, caused by friendly fire.
The battle ended with neither side suffering death. There may have been a horse death on the Californio side, but priests in the area performed zero last rites, when the battle took place.
The negotiations continued for a few more days and officially ended at 11 a.m. on January 7th. The Americans approached the Californios, again with a white flag, and it’s believed the exact spot was at the intersection of current day El Camino Real and Scott Boulevard in Santa Clara.
The agreed upon Santa Clara Treaty stated:
The Californios would release the hostages, give up all their arms, return any horses that weren’t theirs (that’s rich), and in the future the United States would respectfully request horses and cows and provide receipts. The Americans would only retain horses and cattle that had an American, US Government, or Weber branding. The remaining horses would be returned to the correct Californios.
The Californios placed their arms in a cart, and Francisco Sanchez surrendered his sword. That one kinda hurts me to say. I wish that could have stayed in the family.
The next morning, January 8, 1847, the Californios appeared at the agreed upon place to claim their property. This was the agreed upon end of the battle.
But, before the scheduled meeting, Weber arrived early to take his pick of the best horses and put them aside. (Until the bitter end, this Weber guy was a piece of work.)
When the Californios started identifying their brands, all the horses Weber and the San Jose Company had been riding, including the best horses he sequestered …surprise-surprise, all belonged to Californios. Not one of the San Jose company’s horses had a US brand. The entire San Jose company had to walk back home since every single soldier was now without a horse, meaning they were all taken from, Californios.
In this moment, the visual proof of what the Californios had been protesting was obvious. Everyone went silent for a few moments.
Breaking the silence, per the negotiated terms the Californios told Weber, if any of their horses were his, or the United States, he should claim them right now. Weber, in front of 300 witnesses humbly said, “Excuse me if you please. I have done everything against the Californians. Let other people do the balance”.
That ended the Battle of Santa Clara. Shots fired, but no one killed or badly injured.
Oliver: The conclusion of our main characters:
Francisco Sanchez returned to his Rancho San Pedro in Pacifica on January 9th and continued with life as it was before the battle.
Bartlett returned to Yerba Buena with an “I told you so” and was immediately investigated for misappropriating public funds. On January 16th, he was found innocent after an audit, but his reputation was ruined by this point. Hence how short his time was as Alcalde.
Bartlett continued to act as Alcalde for three more weeks, until the end of January. That’s when Edwin Bryant became the second Alcalde of Yerba Buena.
The Californios continued to support the American flag in California and continued to view it as being an overall good thing.
Oliver: Weber’s comeuppance
Charles Weber was quickly escorted to San Jose to an uncomfortable reception. The Navy immediately started an investigation into the claims against Weber. On February 10th, the San Jose Alcalde was made responsible for managing all the affidavits filed against him. Six months later, Weber permanently left San Jose for his rancho in San Joaquin.
Unbelievable. So much story involving people who are regularly mentioned in early San Francisco history, yet this history has disappeared with time. That’s what I’m here for. To dust it off and retell it.
Brown: I want to make it clear that Bartlett never intended to steal cattle from Jose de la Cruz Sanchez. The cattle I was getting was mostly from Francisco Sanchez for $10 a head, but he was offering the Navy at least $25 a head. The US was only willing to pay up to $10. And, even then, they didn’t feel they should have to pay.
Girlina: Thank you for that last bit of information and for joining me, today, John Henry Brown. It’s been an experience meeting you. At least through your writing. I learned a lot about this battle by fact checking and correcting your information.
You wrote your memoire forty years after the fact. So your memory and details aren’t as accurate as they are entertaining.
Girlina: I’ve come to realize just because it’s captured in a book by an eye witness, it doesn’t mean it’s correct. Your account proves that point.
Brown: My writing can hardly be called a history, but rather a book of reminiscences and incidents of early days.
There it is, Dear Listener. The not often told history behind why Bartlett went missing during his short time as Alcalde. Horse and cattle theft. Broken promises. Hostages, and the Battle of Santa Clara.
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Battle of Santa Clara
History of Alta California: a memoir of Mexican California, Antonio Maria Osario, 1800 - 1878
https://archive.org/details/historyofaltacal0000osio_z4i9
San Mateo History Page 61 and on.
https://www.nps.gov/goga/learn/historyculture/upload/San-Mateo-HSR-Part-II-Sweeney-Ridge.pdf
http://npshistory.com/publications/goga/hrs-san-mateo.pdf
James Reed as part of the militia? “Unfortunate Emigrants”
http://www.jstor.com/stable/j.ctt46nr9n.12
John Henry Brown
Reminisces and Incidents of the early days of San Francisco
https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services//service/gdc/calbk/157.pdf
Edwin A. Sherman “An Unpublished Account of the Battle of Santa Clara”
http://user.xmission.com/~octa/newsv8n1.htm#150%20Years
San Francisco Chronicle
Dorothy Regnery Interview by Pat Schmidt
https://archive.org/details/csmathi_000024/csmathi_000024_a_access.m4a