LIST OF IMPORTANT SPANISH/MEXICAN
OCCURANCES RELATED TO
MILITARY HISTORY OF BAJA CALIFONRIA
Originally Compiled by Jack Williams
Augmented by Mike Hardwick
Dates: 1595 -1615
- 1683 - 1701 - 1729
- 1736 - 1744 - 1750
1595
Expedition to area prompted by need for bases for Manila Galleons - are
first Europeans to enter San Francisco Bay (Engelhardt 1929:33-34).
1596
Phillip II orders Baja California occupied. Vizcáino begins his
voyage of discovery. Leaves from Acapulco to Zalagua, then on to Mazatlán
(where 50 soldiers desert due to lack of food), he passes Cabo San Lucas
(where he is met by 800 warriors with bows and arrows) then goes on to
San Sebastian (where he lands 30 soldiers with Franto to explore the interior
(Engelhardt 1 929:40-42). - Vizcáino builds a fort (stockade) at
La Paz (with facines). Homes of tree branches and a little church. A skirmish
occurs and the post is abandoned (Engelhardt 1929:44-45). Part of expedition
continues northward.
1599
The 2nd Voyage of Vizcáino to California - the fleet is made up
of 3 ships with 200 sailors, and soldiers (Engelhardt 1929:53).
1615
Captain Juan Hurbi leds an expedition to this province. Pirates (Pichilingues
- named after a Bay north of La Paz they frequent) capture 1 of the 2 ships.
The Spaniards move on to pearl collection (Engelhardt 1 929:80).
1632
Francisco Ortega Expedition to Baja California - he builds a fort at La
Paz that is soon abandoned (Engelhardt 1929:81).
1664
Bernardo Bernal de Piñadero Expedition in Baja California (it lasts
through 1 667). He fails to establish a colony in the Province (Engelhardt
1929:82).
1668
Captain Francisco Luzenilla forms expedition to found colony in Baja California,
he fails (Engelhardt 1929:83)
1679
Admiral Isidro Otondo y Antillon and Kino found a colony at La Paz. Here
they build a crescent-shaped fort and church of Palm wood (Engelhardt 1929:83-92).
ARMS AND EQUIPMENT
Engelhardt translates document noting the use of leather shields and
firearms by the landing Spaniards (Engelhardt 1929:85).
1683
Admiral Isidro Otondo y Antillon and Jesuit missionary Eusebio Kino founded
a combined mission and Spanish colony here in 1683 (Bancroft 1884:24).
July 1
Guairuros attack fort at La Paz. Coras warn Spaniards. Cannon kills 10
or 12 savages causes other to retreat (Engelhardt 1929:87). Drawing made
of fortifications of San Bruno by Kino (Brinckerhoff and Chamberlin 1972:Plate
220).
1685
La Paz abandoned. New fort with stone bastions build to protect camp at
San Isidro (San Bruno?) 3 leagues inland (Engelhardt 1929:90-92). - English
freebooters Swan and Townley operate on coast in search of Manilla Galleon
(Chapman 1921:172).
La Paz was abandoned, partly as a result of Indian attacks, in 1685.
(Engelhardt 1929:44-45, 81-92).
1697
CONTRACT TO SETTLE:
Awarded to the Jesuits, who are granted complete control of the enterprise
(including the military - Chapman 1 921:1 74). Under the terms of
the contract, the Jesuit rector of Loreto effective commander in chief
of soldiers of Province - he has the right to hire and fire anyone. This
will continue to 1768 (Ives 1984:47).
LORETO
Presidio of Nuestra Señora de Loreto is founded with a 25 man
garrison (Engelhardt 1929:104; Moorhead 1975:22). Father Provincial, Rev.
Juan de Palacios (SJ) receives a license on February 6, that includes provisions
for the use of Jesuit paid troops. Jesuits also enlist forces and create
officers, they are also given the right to fire officers (Engelhardt 1929:102-103).
Indian raid on Loreto - Indians steal horses 2 soldiers and ? Indian allies
pursue- the Indians are captured, allies eat horse meat/presidio noted
to be protected by a stockade. Circa 300/500 local Indians besiege settlement
for five hours, Father Salvatierra orders them not to shoot. Defenders
include 4 soldiers and 3 Mexican Indians (Engelhardt 1929:107). Cannon
bursts when fired (Engelhardt 1929:108). A force of 12 men arrive by sea
as reinforcements - they begin construction on more elaborate defense work
of logs and thorns (Engelhardt 1929:109). Commander of the Fort is Captain
Luis Torres y Tortello. Pay of each soldier 300 pesos, each captain $500,
$6,000 total spent each year, soldiers did not receive pay in cash, but
instead, goods in kind purchased in Mexico (Engelhardt 1929:175).Similar
account in Chapman 1921:175-76) -Burrus notes founding (1971:201).
ARMS AND EQUIPMENT
Use of a single small field-piece and muskets by Spaniards at Loreto
noted (Engelhardt 1929:1 06).
1698
LORETO
Loreto garrison skirmishes with various local Indian groups (Engelhardt
1929:110). Garrison now numbers 22 men of "different nationalities" (Engelhardt
1929:111). Soldiers ordered to pay fines when found guilty of cursing (Engelhardt
1929:111).
1699
LORETO
Luis Torres y Tortello (Torrolero?) retires as c.o. of Loreto, he is
replaced by Antonio Garcia de Mendoza. He calls for the abandonment of
the colony. Soldiers used in general construction, road building, and similar
work (Engelhardt 1929; 117-118). Mendoza wants to use soldiers for private
enterprise, especially pearl fishing (Chapman 1921:177). Garrison reduced
to 12 men as an economic measure by the Jesuits (Engelhardt 1929:119).
MISSIONS
Mission San Javier founded under Piccola (Chapman 1921:176)
1700
LORETO
- Captain Mendoza resigns command of Loreto, is replaced by Isidro
de Figueroa (Engelhardt 1929:123).
1701
MISSIONS
Kino, Salvatierra and Mange head expedition to province (Rensch 1934:8).
LORETO
Father Francisco Marfa Piccolo describes the presidio of Loreto:
" The condition of the fortification (Loreto) is fair. It is situated
in the estuary of San Dionisio on the seacoast, at a place called by the
natives Conch6 and now Loreto Conch6. The fortification consists of an
entrenchment made in the form of a square, and large enough for a good
plaza
de armas and quarters for the soldiers. (It has four smafl bastions
and is surrounded by a good moat.) At a distance of two arquebus
shots is the chapel of Nuestra Señora de Loreto, and next to it
the dwelling house of the missionary Father, with workrooms, a good garden,
and a well, arranged for a chain pump. The chapel, the missionary Father's
house, and the quarters of the soldiers, are made of good adobe with tile
roof." (translated in Engelhardt 1929:131).
1702
Soliders noted to be married to Indian wives. Indian revolt begins that
involves skirmishes (Engelhardt 1929:136). King (Phelipe V) begins
subsidizing Jesuit enterprise because of their lack of funds (Chapman 1921:177).
LORETO
The condition of the fortification is fair. It is situated on the shore
of the sea which the Natives call Concha and which today is called Loreto
Concha. The fortification consists of an entrenchment laid out in the form
of a square, and which is large enough for a military plaza and for the
soldiers' quarters. At a distance of 2 harquebus shots lies the chapel..
the building material of the chapel, the house of the Father missionary,
and the soldeirs' quarters, is of good adobe, with tile roofs (Hammond
1967:57)
1703
LORETO
Captain Est6van Rodriguez Lorenzo (Portuguese) resigns the command
of the presidio of Loreto (Engelhardt 1929:144, 275). Juan Bautista Escalante
of Nacosari (Sonora) named captain (Engelhardt 1929:144). The king
declares the penisula available to any settlers (Jesuits loose exclusive
contract for settlements) (Chapman 1921:1 77).
1717
Father Salvatierra dies (end of his presidency/governorship of Penisula
(Chapman 1921:176), he is replaced by Father Juan de Ugarte (ibid. 179).
1719
LORETO
Pay of Loreto garrison increased to $18,000 pesos (3 times original).
1721
LORETO
Loreto garrison skirmishes with rebels (Engelhardt 1929:219).
MISSIONS
Father president Juan de Ugarte builds ship and uses
English pilot to explore gulf, proving not an Island (Chapman 1921:179).
1723
LORETO
Captain Lorenzo Rodriguez leads an force in mission Dolores
and Santiago to suppress Indian rebels (Engelhardt 1929:235, 241).
1725
LORETO
Captain Lorenzo Rodriguez leads an force in Mission Dolores
and Santiago to suppress Indian rebels (Engelhardt 1929:235, 241).
1729
LORETO
Captain Lorenzo Rodriguez leads an force in Mission Dolores
and Santiago to suppress Indian rebels (Engelhardt 1929:235, 241). Rebels
include descendants of pirates (mulattoes and mestizos - Engelhardt 1929:242).
1730
MISSIONS
Juan de Ugarte dies, end of his presidency in penisula
(Chapman 1921:179). -Mission San Jose del Cabo founded, mission later moved
due to mosquitos (Engelhardt 1929:236).
1734
MISSIONS
All the missions of the Penisula except Loreto are abandoned
in the face of a major Indian rebellion, which begins at Cabo San Lucas
(Beilharz 1971:69). The Indians rebelling are the Pericuds and Guaicurv6s.
Serious losses are reported amoung the crew of the Manila Galleon (Chapman
1921:179; Engelhardt 1929:241-; Moorhead 1975:52).
Spaniards recaptures La Paz with an army made up of 2
forces as follows;
-
Captain Estevan Rodriguez Lorento
-
2 squads made up of 20 soldiers and 25 Indian archers.
-
Captain Monroll
-
20 soldiers
-
100 auxiliary Indians
-
These forces were later joined by 88 Indian allies (Wilbur
1931).
Presidio troops are reinforced by Yaquis from Sonora (Chapman
1921:180). they provide soldiers for every mission (these can be as few
as one man (Wilbur 1931:12); they escort fathers. Two
presidios - Loreto has 1 captain (who is also governor) and 25 soldiers
(Wilbur 1927:7).
CABO SAN LUCAS
New Presidio ordered established in the south by the Marqués
de Casafuerte (Juan de Acuña) (Engelhardt 1929:252). A debate develops
over weather the presidio soldiers were subject to Jesuit rule, or exclusively
that of the viceroy. Post to have 30 soldiers, 10 at Cabo, 10 at Mision
Pilár (near La Paz), and 10 at Mission Santiago de los Coras. Son
of Loreto Captain (Bernardo Rodriguez Lorenzo c.o., later replaced by Pedro
Alvarez de Acebedo (Engelhardt 1929:256-57). -new presidio established
here, 40 men, 10 at Loreto, 10 at La Paz, 10 at Santiago, and 10 at San
Joseph (Wilbur 1927:18).
Viceroy Bizarron adds five men to the Loreto garrison, which now counts
30 men, removes Loreto troops from Jesuit rule. This situation lasts for
1 year and 8 months (Engelhardt 1929:257). He also orders that all mission
outpost under Loreto have troops removed, with the exception of San Ignacio
and Dolores (i.e. the penisula now has 6 garrisoned places with 10 men
each). Pericué beseige Spanish camp of 133 soldiers and allies.
Assault 3 times and loose set battle (Beilharz 1971:69).
ARMS AND EQUIPMENT
Use of firearms by Spaniards considered critical (Engelhardt 1929:246,
258).
1736
LORETO
Royal pay of Loreto garrison raised to 30,000 pesos. pay as follows:
| 1 |
Captain |
900 |
|
| 2 |
Lieutenants |
|
|
| 60 |
Soldiers |
|
note: these include 2x30 man posts stationed at various locations
in the penisula |
| 10 |
Sailors |
|
|
| 3 |
marine officials |
|
|
Missionaries retain right to select and remove individuals. Officers given
relative freedom in matters involving military and discipline, captains
of presidio made governor and judge of province (Engelhardt 1929:175).
SAN JOSE DEL CABO
Viceroy rescends order of temporal independence of soldiers as result
of general chaos in penisula. He also abolishes the status of captain for
the San Jose del Cabo post, a lieutenant under Loreto command serves in
his place (Engelhardt 1929:257). New presidio now enters ambiguous status.
Sporadic clashes with rebels continue (Engelhardt 1 929:259-260).
1737
Indian rebellion centered at San Jose del Cabo end (Beilharz 1971:69).
1742
The king (Philip V) authorizes a new presidio and the use of royal funds
for expenses used to supress the earlier rebellion (Engelhardt 1929:261).
Major epidemic in south (Engelhardt 1929:271).
1744
Last scattered resistance to the Spaniards ends (Chapman 1921:179). Council
of Indies supports Jesuit rule, the creation of new presidios with colonists
at ports, the creation of new northern missions from overland bases in
Sonora, more missionaries (Engelhardt 1929:262). Major epidemic in the
south (Engelhardt 1929:271).
1745
Christóbal de Escobár y Llamas, S.J. completes report on
the condition of the Baja California missions - mostly on Sonora, but with
some side data on California.(November 30, 1795 Engelhardt 1929:264).
Details about individual missions of penisula cited by Engelhardt 1929:267-269).
Presidio of Loreto noted as active (267); Presidio of San José del
Cabo de San Lucas listed as active (269).
1746
Colorado River expedition of Father Fernando Consag (Engelhardt 1929:266).
1748
Major epidemic in the south (Engelhardt 1929:271). Discovery of silver
mines at Santa Ana, near mission Santiago, miners arrive from mainland.
Discovery made by soldier (Manuel de Osio) from Loreto (Engelhardt 1929:296,
297).
1750
Fernando Javier de Rivera y Moncada becomes C.O. of Loreto (Engelhardt
1929:276).
1756
Silver mine at San Antonio del Oro (2nd mining camp) opened (Engelhardt
1929:297).
1763
Presidials backed up by neophyte auxiliaries campaign in north (Engelhardt
1929:287).