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California's
Indian and Spanish Heritage
Humans have been living in San Diego for at least 50,000 years. About
6,000 years ago, the La Jollan Indians arrived on the scene. These Indians
were displaced by the Kumeyaay, a desert people that originated in Arizona.
The
mission system required the enslaving of Kumeyaay under the guise of religious
conversion. In 1821, the Mexican War of Independence came to a close,
and distant Alta California reeled in disbelief. The Spanish flag continued
to fly for some time over the Presidio. Slowly at first, the soldiers
began to cut off the scarlet ribbons on their uniforms that symbolized
the King's soldiers. They then began to take up homesteads in present
day Old Town.
Spanish
and old Mission lands were broken up by the government in Mexico City
and given to relatives and to faithful public servants. This started the
famous California Ranchos period of history. These people became known
as Californios, and for the most part the living was good. Land was cheap
and cattle foraged unmolested. Grand fiestas that would last for days
included vaqueros proving their horsemanship and woman in bright silk
dressed dancing fandangos.
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The
Californios did not hold any strong allegiance with far off Mexico City.
As the United States began to grow many of the Californios thought
it
wise to have a Yankee son-in-law. Mexican rule of California came to
an abrupt end on July 7, 1846. The United States Marines landed at
Monterey,
meeting virtually no resistance the American flag was raised over the
city within the hour. This was true across the state. Stephen Kerny
leader
of the famed "Army of the West" had come overland for the fight.
He was very disappointed when he came upon famed mountainman Kit Carson
on his way to Washington D.C. to report on California's Annexation. On
this news, Kerny sent 1400 of his men back. He continued on into California
with only 100 men, and he forced Carson into guiding him. On December
5, 1846 this company of tired soldiers looked forward to an end to their
march and a warm welcome into San Diego less than a day away.
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Much
to their chagrin they were met at San Pasqual by an uprising of more than
100 Californios on horseback. The whip like lariats and 8' long lances
being their weapons of choice. The initial confrontation left the unprepared
Americans with 18 dead and many more wounded and dying. As night fell
things had turned desperate. Kit Carson, an unnamed Kumeyaay, and Lieutenant
Edward Beale set off in a desperate attempt to get reinforcements from
San Diego. To avoid detection of the constant circling Californios they
took off their shoes. They were nearly caught by one of the circling Californios
whose horse literally walked over them. They lost their shoes during this
incident. As the dawn approached, Kearny order a last meal of mule meat
in preparation for their final stand. Much to their amazement they could
hear a column of 215 American soldiers and marines arriving from their
forced march from San Diego. With their feet extremely cut-up, Carson
and crew had gotten the message through.
When
the smoke cleared, 22 Americans and 11 Mexicans had died in the only real
battle associated with the taking of California from Mexico.
One
preserve's fight to protect nature come hell or highways
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