The summer of 1846, a short-lived republic
The lovely town of Sonoma is so rich in history, it’s impossible to tell it all in this tiny space. I will try to bring to life just one brief moment.
You probably learned in school that California was once an independent republic. You might not remember that this republic, such as it was, existed for just a few weeks in the summer of 1846.
Allow me to set the scene: The Mexican American War had already started, officially with a declaration of war in May 1846, but tensions had been rising in the Lone Star Republic, as Texas had been known for nine years until its annexation by the United States in December of 1845. California was still ruled by Mexico since its independence in 1821, but clearly change was in the air in the war year of 1846.
That’s the context of the events in Sonoma that summer. A group of 33 Yankees, inspired and covertly encouraged by U.S Army brevet Captain John C. Fremont, were trying to settle in “Alta California”, as the province was known then. But there was a sticking point: the local government of “Californios” under General Vallejo considered them to be illegal immigrants (and you thought irony was dead) and wouldn’t let them buy land. Captain Fremont’s troops were also considered illegal, having entered the province under the guise of a “mapping expedition.” At any rate, in the predawn hours of June 14, 1846, these 33 men arrived at the home of General Vallejo for “negotiations.”
General Vallejo, ever the congenial host, invited the men inside and broke out the good brandy and the good wine. At some point, ringleader William Ide gave an oration to his men, nine of whom had departed in disagreement with some of the goings-on, urging them to stay and to declare an independent republic. Given that some of the preceding events had included the theft of 170 horses, Ide offered a revealing choice: “Choose ye this day what you will be! We are robbers, or we must be conquerors!"
The next several weeks were whirlwind: the 24 remaining insurgents made the Sonoma barracks their headquarters and fashioned a flag featuring a Grizzly Bear; thus the “Bear Flag Revolt.” The ragtag rebel army was termed “Los Osos” by the Californios, in reference to the flag and to their scruffy appearance. The Californios responded, and in the only battle of this miniature war, 70 Mexican militiamen and irregular troops faced off against 17-19 “Bear Flag” Yankees near what is now Olompali State Park. There were few casualties: the Californios suffered a few wounded and left the field to the victorious Bears.
The U.S. government also responded: Although the Bear Flag folks might not have known it — news traveled more slowly in those days — the United States was already at war with Mexico (the official confirmation of war did not reach California until August). On July 7, the frigate U.S.S Savannah captured Monterey, California and raised the U.S. flag.
On July 9, Navy Lieutenant Joseph Revere arrived in Sonoma with two 27-star American flags. These flags were already out of date, as Texas had been admitted to the Union six months earlier, but supply chain issues meant that the Navy didn’t have any 28-star flags yet. The Bear flag came down, the (out of date) U.S. flag went up, and California became a permanent part of the United States of America.
