Battle of La Mesa

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Battle of La Mesa
Part of the Mexican-American War
Date January 9, 1847 Location Vernon, California Result U.S. victory
Combatants
United States of America	Mexico Californios
Commanders
Robert F. Stockton Stephen Watts Kearny	José Mariá Flores
Strength
U.S. naval and army forces 650 sailors, marines and dragoons	Californios 40 dragoons 110 soldiers
Casualties
1 killed, 5 wounded	15 killed, 25 wounded

Mexican–American War
Fort Texas – Palo Alto – Resaca de la Palma – Cañoncito – Santa Fe – Monterrey – 1st Tabasco – San Pasqual – El Brazito – Rio San Gabriel – La Mesa – Cañada – Mora – Embudo Pass – Pueblo de Taos – Buena Vista – Sacramento – Veracruz – Cerro Gordo – Tuxpan – 2nd Tabasco – Contreras – Churubusco – Molino del Rey – Chapultepec – Mexico City – Huamantla – Puebla

The Battle of La Mesa occurred on January 9, 1847, in present-day Vernon, California, the day after the Battle of Rio San Gabriel. At La Mesa, the outgunned and outnumbered Californios were quickly defeated by a force commanded by Commodore Robert F. Stockton. Stockton's force was largely on foot but had rifles, while the Californios fought on horseback with only lances. The Californios fell back and camped at present-day Pasadena, ceding Los Angeles to Stockton's forces.

The battle was the last armed resistance to American agression in California, and General José Mariá Flores returned to Mexico. The issue of Alta California was settled with the signing of the Treaty of Cahuenga by US Army Lieutenant-Colonel John C. Frémont and Californio General Andres Pico on January 13, 1847.