San Pedro Stories: Battle of the Old Woman’s Gun

San Pedro Stories: Battle of the Old Woman’s Gun

On 10/08-09/2011 the Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum (18127 S. Alameda St., Rancho Dominguez, CA 90220; 310-603-0088) hosts the 3^rd annual re-enactment of the Battle of the Old Woman’s Gun (a.k.a., Battle of Dominguez Ranch, Battle of Rancho Dominguez, Battle of San Pedro, etc.) with living history demonstrations, presentations, dancing, costumes, and two battle re-enactment—with cannon.  My San Pedro commemorates both sides in the conflict with excerpts from an American’s eyewitness account and a tribute to the quixotic old cannon with the endearing name which saved the day for the Californians (images are excerpted from the forthcoming My San Pedro Pedro-centric timeline of the Mexican-American War—The Battle of San Pedro).

Excerpts from the eyewitness account of Midshipman and Acting Lieutenant Robert C. Duvall of the USS Savannah who commanded a company of Colt’s Riflemen during the engagement as written in his log immediately following the events and transcribed by James Miller Guinn

Thursday, October 01, 1846 - Wednesday, October 07, 1846:

“At 9:30 A. M. we commenced working out of the harbor of San Francisco on the ebb tide. The ship anchored at Saucelito [sic.], where, on account of a dense fog, it remained until the 4th, when it put to sea.

“On the 7th the ship entered the harbor of San Pedro. At 6:30 P. M., as we were standing in for anchorage, we made out the American merchant ship Vandalia, having on her decks a body of men. On passing she saluted with two guns, which was repeated with three cheers, which we returned....

“Brevet Capt. Archibald Gillespie came on board and reported that he had evacuated the Pueblo de Los Angeles on account of the overpowering force of the enemy and had retired with his men on board the Vandalia after having spiked his guns, one of which he threw into the water. He also reported that the whole of California below the pueblo had risen in arms against our authorities, headed by Flores, a Mexican captain on furlough in this country, who had but a few days ago given his parole of honor not to take up arms against the United States.

“We made preparations to land a force to march to the pueblo at daylight.

Thursday, October 08, 1846:

“October 8 (1846), at 6 A.M., all the boats left the ship for the purpose of landing the forces, numbering in all 299 men, including the volunteers, under command of Capt. Gillespie.

“At 6:30 all were landed without opposition, the enemy in small detachments retreating toward the pueblo. From their movements we apprehended that their whole force was near. Capt. Mervine sent on board ship for a reinforcement of eighty men, under command of Lieut. R. B. Hitchcock.

“At 8 A. M. the several companies, all under command of Capt. William Mervine, took up the line of march for the purpose of retaking the pueblo. The enemy retreated as our forces advanced.

“The reinforcements under the command of Lieut. R. B. Hitchcock returned on board ship.

“For the first four miles our march was through hills and ravines, which the enemy might have taken advantage of, but preferred to occupy as spectators only, until our approach. A few shots from our flankers (who were the volunteer riflemen) would start them off; they returning the compliment before going. The remainder of our march was performed over a continuous plain overgrown with wild mustard, rising in places to six or eight feet in height. The ground was excessively dry, the clouds of dust were suffocating and there was not a breath of wind in motion. There was no water on our line of march for ten or twelve miles and we suffered greatly from thirst.

“At 2:30 P. M. we reached our camping ground. The enemy appeared in considerable numbers. Their numbers continued to increase until towards sundown, when they formed on a hill near us, gradually inclining towards our camp. They were admirably formed for a cavalry charge.

“We drew up our forces to meet them, but finding they were disposed to remain stationary, the marines, under command of Capt. Marston, the Colt's riflemen, under command of Lieut. L.B. Carter and myself, and the volunteers, under command of Capt. A. Gillespie, were ordered to charge on them, which we did. They stood their ground until our shots commenced 'telling' on them, when they took to flight in every direction.

“They continued to annoy us by firing into our camp through the night.

Friday, October 9, 1846:

“About 2 A. M. they brought a piece of artillery and fired into our camp, the shot striking the ground near us. The marines, riflemen and volunteers were sent in pursuit of the gun, but could see or hear nothing of it.

“We left our camp the next morning at 6 o'clock. Our plan of march was in column by platoon.

“We had not proceeded far before the enemy appeared before us drawn up on each side of the road, mounted on fine horses, each man armed with a lance and carbine.

“They also had a field piece (a four-pounder), to which were hitched eight or ten horses, placed on the road ahead of us.

“Capt. Mervine, thinking it was the enemy's intention to throw us into confusion by using their gun on us loaded with round shot and copper grape shot and then charge us with their cavalry, ordered us to form a square—which was the Order of march throughout the battle.

“When within about four hundred yards of them the enemy opened on us with their artillery. We made frequent charges, driving them before us, and at one time causing them to leave some of their cannon balls and cartridges; but owing to the rapidity with which they could carry off the gun, using their lassos on every part, enabled them to choose their own distance, entirely out of all range of our muskets.

“Their horsemen kept out of danger, apparently content to let the gun do the fighting. They kept up a constant fire with their carbines, but these did no harm. The enemy numbered between 175 and 200 strong.

“Finding it impossible to capture the gun, the retreat was sounded. The captain consulted with his officers on the best steps to be taken. It was decided unanimously to return on board ship.

“To continue the march would sacrifice a number of lives to no purpose, for, admitting we could have reached the pueblo, all communications would be cut off with the ship, and we would further be constantly annoyed by their artillery without the least chance of capturing it. It was reported that the enemy were between five and six hundred strong at the city and it was thought he had more artillery.

“On retreating they got the gun planted on a hill ahead of us.

“The captain made us an address, saying to the troops that it was his intention to march straight ahead in the same orderly manner in which we had advanced, and that sooner than he would surrender to such an enemy, he would sacrifice himself and every other man in his command.

“The enemy fired into us four times on the retreat, the fourth shot falling short, the report of the gun indicating a small quantity of powder, after which they remained stationary and manifested no further disposition to molest us.

“We proceeded quietly on our march to the landing, where we found a body of men under command of Lieut. Hitchcock with two nine-pounder cannon got from the Vandalia to render us assistance in case we should need it.

"We presented truly a pitiable condition, many being barely able to drag one foot after the other from excessive fatigue, having gone through the exertions and excitement in battle and afterwards performing a march of eighteen or twenty miles without rest.

"This is the first battle I have ever been engaged in, and, having taken particular notice of those around me, I can assert that no men could have acted more bravely. Even when their shipmates were falling by their sides, I saw but one impulse and that was to push forward, and when the retreat was ordered I noticed a general reluctance to turn their backs to the enemy.

“The following is a list of the killed and wounded:

Michael Hoey (ordinary seaman), killed;

David Johnson (o. s.), killed;

Wm. H. Berry (o. s.), mortally wounded;

Charles Sommers (musician), mortally wounded;

John Tyre (seaman), severely wounded;

John Anderson (seaman), severely wounded; recovery doubtful.

“The following-named were slightly wounded:

William Conland (marine);

Hiram Rockvill (mar.);

H. Linland (mar.);

James Smith (mar.).

Saturday, October 10, 1846:

“On the following morning we buried the bodies of William A. Smith, Charles Sommers, David Johnson and Michael Hoey on an island in the harbor.

“At 11 A. M. the captain called a council of commissioned officers regarding the proper course to adopt in the present crisis, which decided that no force should be landed, and that the ship remain here until further orders from the commodore, who is daily expected.

Sunday, October 11, 1846:

“William H. Berry (ordinary seaman) departed this life from the effect of wounds received in battle. Sent his body for interment to Dead Man's Island, so named by us. Mustered the command at quarters, after which performed divine service.”

Postscript: On October 22 Henry Lewis died and was buried on the island. Lewis' name does not appear in the list of the wounded. It is presumable that he died of disease. Six of the crew of the Savannah were buried on Dead Man's Island, four of whom were killed in battle. (Guinn, 1902)

Source:  James Miller Guinn, 1902, Historical and Biographical Record of Southern California, Chapter 18: BATTLE OF DOMINGUEZ RANCH—FLORES GOVERNOR, pages 101-104

The Story of “The Old Woman’s Gun”

Description: Brass, smoothbore, 4 pounder, cannon tube, 43 ½ inches overall in length; bore 2.77 inches diameter; 4 ½ inch muzzle section length; tube 4 inches in diameter at the muzzle astragal; 16 inch chase section; 6 inches between 3d and 2d reinforce; 9 ½ inches across at trunnions

The bronze four-pounder cannon, known as a pedrero or swivel gun, had long served duty on the Los Angeles Plaza—firing salutes and celebrating the holidays.

February 20, 1845:

Battle of Providencia (Second Battle of Cahuenga Pass): Reportedly used by the forces of Pio Pico in the successful revolt against Governor Manuel Micheltorena

August 12, 1846:

With Commodore Stockton’s forces encamped nearby, waiting to enter and occupy Los Angeles, an old woman and her daughters wrestle the ceremonial cannon from in front of the old plaza church back to her home (located on the east side of Alameda Street near First), where they bury it in a shallow grave; The old woman has many names: Hubert Howe Bancroft called her Inocencia Reyes; J.M. Guinn called her Doña Clara Cota de Reyes; Kathy Rabago called her Ignacia Cota de Reyes; Luther A. Ingersoll called her Rocha [the 1850 Federal census lists a Inocencia Reyes (born circa 1813) a Maria Clara Reyes (born circa 1792); and a Maria Ignacia de Cota (born circa 1790); the 1834 Santa Barbara census lists a Juana Inocencia Reyes of Los Angeles Co. (born circa 1790)]

September 29, 1846:

Siege of Los Angeles: Captain Jose Maria Flores, the newly appointed comandante general of California, fires the Old Woman’s Gun at American forces trapped on Fort Hill and offers Captain Archibald Gillespie and his detachment of 40-50 men a last opportunity to surrender their position without loss of life—issuing an ultimatum that further resistance after 24 hours would be fatal; pointing out their hopeless situation and the futility of any resistance, he offered generous terms of capitulation—Lieutenant Gillespie and his men would be allowed to honorably withdraw unmolested with all their colors and arms, with all the honors of war and an exchange of prisoners, if they marched directly to San Pedro, boarded a ship, and left the country; facing a force that had risen from 20 to 600, Gillespie had no choice but to accept

October 08-09, 1846:

Battle of Dominguez Ranch: Mounted on the forward axle of a Jersey wagon with rawhide thongs, and pulled by 6-10 horsemen using riatas tied to their saddles, the Old Woman’s Gun repels the march of about 300 Americans intent on recapturing Los Angeles.

January 10, 1847:

Battle of La Mesa: Surrendered to Commodore R.F. Stockton after defeat of Californians (later designated as U.S. Navy war trophy No. 53)

November 11, 1847 – February 15, 1848:

Stamped on Trophy No. 53: “USED BY UNITED STATES FORCES IN MEXICO AT MAZATLAN NOV 11TH 1847; URIOS, CREW ALL KILLED OR WOUNDED; PALOS PRETOS DEC 13 1847; AND IN LOWER CALIFORNIA AT SAN JOSE FEB'Y 15, 1848”

July 04, 1853:

Juan Sepulveda (according to Alexander Bell) claims the cannon fired from Deadman’s Island in San Pedro Bay to celebrate the Fourth of July is the original Old Woman’s Gun, which he had hidden at his ranch.

December 16, 1884 - June 2, 1885:

The Old Woman’s Gun (Trophy No. 53) is exhibited at the New Orleans Exposition [New Orleans Universal Exposition and World's Fair; World's Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exhibition; New Orleans Centennial].

March 03, 1925:

Trophy No. 53 is transferred to the U.S. Naval Academy Museum (USNA cat. no. 25.1.8), 118 Maryland Ave., Annapolis, MD from the Bureau of Ordnance Museum, Washington Navy Yard (where it is currently on display)