kit carson led a mission to california in 1846.
who led a mission to california in 1846?
kit carson
Na
Na
the abandoned presidio and mission san francisco de asís (mission dolores) at san francisco, (then called yerba buena), was occupied without firing a shot on 9 july 1846 by u.s. marines and u.s. navy sailors from the sloop . militia captain thomas fallon led a small force of about 22 men from santa cruz, california, and captured the small town of pueblo de san jose without bloodshed on 11 july 1846. fallon received an american flag from commodore john d. sloat, and raised it over the pueblo on 14 july. on 15 july 1846, commodore (rear admiral) john d. sloat transferred his command of the pacific squadron to commodore robert f. stockton when stockton's ship, the frigate , arrived from hawaii. stockton, a much more aggressive leader, asked fremont to form a joint force of fremont's soldiers, scouts, guides etc. and a volunteer militia—many former bear flag revolters. this unit called the california battalion was mustered into u.s. service and were paid regular army wages. on 19 july, frémont's newly formed "california battalion" swelled to about 160 men. these men included fremont's 30 topographical men and their 30 scouts and hunters, u.s. marine lieutenant archibald h. gillespie, a u.s. navy officer to handle their two cannons, a company of indians trained by sutter and many other "permanent" california settlers from several different countries as well as american settlers. the california battalion members were used mainly to garrison and keep order in the rapidly surrendering california towns. the navy went down the coast from san francisco, occupying ports without resistance as they went. the small pueblo (town) of san diego surrendered 29 july 1846 without a shot being fired. the small pueblo of santa barbara surrendered without a shot being fired in august 1846. on 13 august 1846 a joint force of u.s. marines, bluejacket sailors and parts of fremont's california battalion carried by the entered los angeles, california with flags flying and band playing. captain archibald h. gillespie, (fremont's second in command), with an inadequate force of 40 to 50 men were left to occupy and keep order in the largest town (about 3,500) in alta california—los angeles.
maritime history of california