Battle of La Mesa

The Battle of La Mesa of the Mexican–American War occurred on January 9, 1847, in present-day Vernon, California, the day after the Battle of Rio San Gabriel during the California Campaign.

Background
After crossing the river, the American troops advanced to meet Flores' 300-strong force of Californio militia near a ravine where the city of Vernon now stands.

Battle
At La Mesa, the outgunned Californios killed one American and wounded five others in the force commanded jointly by Commodore Robert F. Stockton and General Stephen Watts Kearny. The American force was largely on foot but had rifles, while the Californios fought on horseback with only lances. In the battle, the Californios suffered 15 dead and 25 wounded. After a day of charging and outflanking the American soldiers, the Californios fell back in exhaustion and camped at present-day Pasadena, ceding Los Angeles to Stockton's forces.

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

The site of the battle is now registered as California Historical Landmark #167. The marker is located at 4490 Exchange Avenue at Downey Road in Vernon.