The Shasta courier., 1853-11-26
"Reminiscences of California His4esr

In the case OF the United States u.s. John Z.
Fremont, now on trial in the U. s. District Court
the subjoined testimony was taken:
Major ReaGsag gave in evidence that he first
became acquainted with John G.. Fremont at
Suffers Fort, in the spring of 1914, and states
substantially as follows.
AT the close OF the war between the United
States and Mexico, in June, 1917, Col. Fremont
was ordered home by Gen. Kearney. At his
camp, on Bear river, he gave me power of at
torney to act for him relative to forming set
tlement on that tract Willard Buzzle was en-
gagged by him to make settlement on said tract,
and was authorised by 1,fy powero attorney to
furnish him means to purchase PROVISIONS tools
necessary for building, agricultural Supplements,
and whatever he might ceqsire ia ma,1ing a
settlement; also delivered cattle and horses to
Buzzle from Mr.. Shaddoa's charge, who was
then living on the Costumes river: | also iurn-
ished him money account of Col. Fremont,
and d id deliver the articles to him as before
stated with Instructions to him to 60 immedi-
ateIy upon tue Mariposas claim. 1 saw him
leave for that about June 1917, and took the cat
tie with him, as also his family. Mr. Buzzle af-
terwards informed me of his having gone upon
the Mariposas tract and that he took the stock
delivered to him by me upon the place, and was
at that time, either late in the fall of 1917, Oh
spring OF 1913, residing with his family upon
said tract and from the hostility of the Indians
he felt great insecurity, both OF life and Prop
erty.
During the fall of 1914, the Californians re-
volted against Gen. Micheltoreno. He met the
former in force, think in November 1874, near
the Puebla of San Jose. There they capitula-
ted, and shortly after Gen. Micheltoreno with
drew his force at Monterey, then the capital of
the State. correspondence ensued between
Gen. Michelioreno and Capt. Sutter, requiring
Capt Suffers aid in his behalf to sustain him.
self against the revolving Californians. Consid-
erable excitement prevailed at that time in Sac
ramento valley, and the foreigners determined
to sustain the cause of Gen. Micheltoreno. They
collected at Suffers Fort at the call OF Capt
Sutter, in December 1874. Micheltoreno was
then military and civil Governor of California; !;
Castro was the leader of the band of the oppo-
site forces. Capt. Suffer marched to the aid of
Gen. Micheltoreno, and was defeated by the
revolutionists at the field of Cohauya, in the
spring of lsA5 capitulated and was obliged to
leave the country.
During the period of wlich have spoken, we
were i'll u continual state OF turmoil and confu-
sion, and conflicts of arms, which caused feel
ing of Insecurity among the foreigners who
kept mostly together; Suffers Fort was our
headquarters. The Indian tribes became less
peaceably inclined; at first the northern In
dans siding with Gen Micheltoreno were en-
gagged in the battle of Cohauya. A constant
spirit of jealousy and suspicion existed during
the year, from the battle of Cohauya till the
spring of 1916, although there was no actual
fight except with the Indian tribes. who, du-
ring the years 1S45 and 1916, were continually
committing depredations, numbering and THEY
ing, etc.
s.The revolution named had tendency to de.
stroy the favorable control which had been ex-
erted by Capt. Sutter a large extent OF
country inhabited by the Indians. | was en-
gagged in fight with them in 1S40 in which
they used guns. which had never before been
used in their fights with the Americans. |
knew from general report that the Nariposas,
Stanisaus, and Mercede Indians were plunder-
ing, stealing horses, and committing murders,
during the years from lS43 to 1917, in the
negiborhood of San Jose, Santa Clara, and in
the Spanish settlements generally. think Gov.
Alyarado would have required some force TO
sustain himself on the tract known as the Mari
posa, previous to l847; fifteen or twenty men
would have been Goacient if they were foreign
ers. well armed, equipped and mounted; if
Mexicans about I5e to $50 men,
" The country over which Gen. Sutter eXer-
cised the influence of which l have spoken, ex-
tended to the South as far as the Stanisaus riv-
er. and did not extend over the Marposas In
dians, the latter always having committed dep
relations since my first knowledge of them.
The Indians generally throughout California
were less tractable. committed more deprada-
tions, and were bolder in their hostilities after
the spring of 1914.
AT the battle of Cohauya, Gen. Micheltore-
no commanded the government forces, and
Gen. Jose Castro, those OF the revolutlonlsts.-
Juan de Alvarado, the grantor OF the Marlposa
tract originally, belonged to the Castro party,
which was victorious at Cohauya, and remained
in possession of the country after the battle
They were afterwards sustained and recog
nised by the central government of Mexico,
though the general belief with most of us, was
that the government acquiesced in the authority
of Castro from necessity. From the commence
ment of The revolution to the battle OF Cohauya
Gen. Nficheltoreno was sustained by the troops
from the Federal government 1t is matter OF
common history that Juan de Alvarado joined
the forces of Castro"