Battle of Providencia
Encyclopedia
Battle of Providencia took place in 1845 on Rancho Providencia
in the San Fernando Valley
of southern California
.
It was a battle rooted in the fact that Mexico
was choosing Mexicans to be Governors of Alta California
instead of Californians. In 1842, the Mexican government appointed Manuel Micheltorena
as governor. The native-born Californios did not like him and, by 1844, a revolt began. After fighting near Los Angeles
, Micheltorena finally decided to give up his fight. He withdrew his forces and Pío Pico
became governor.
Despite the excessive artillery barrage (cannonballs are still occasionally found during excavations in the area) casualties in the battle were limited to one horse and one mule.
Rancho Providencia
Rancho La Providencia was a Mexican land grant in present day Los Angeles County, California given by governor Juan B. Alvarado in 1843 to Vincente de la Osa. The majority of Rancho Providencia land north of the modern channel of the Los Angeles River is now part of Burbank. The street grid...
in the San Fernando Valley
San Fernando Valley
The San Fernando Valley is an urbanized valley located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area of southern California, United States, defined by the dramatic mountains of the Transverse Ranges circling it...
of southern California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
It was a battle rooted in the fact that Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
was choosing Mexicans to be Governors of Alta California
Alta California
Alta California was a province and territory in the Viceroyalty of New Spain and later a territory and department in independent Mexico. The territory was created in 1769 out of the northern part of the former province of Las Californias, and consisted of the modern American states of California,...
instead of Californians. In 1842, the Mexican government appointed Manuel Micheltorena
Manuel Micheltorena
Manuel Micheltorena was a Brigadier General of the Mexican Army, Adjutant-General of the same, Governor, Commandant-General and Inspector of the Department of the California...
as governor. The native-born Californios did not like him and, by 1844, a revolt began. After fighting near Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, Micheltorena finally decided to give up his fight. He withdrew his forces and Pío Pico
Pío Pico
Pío de Jesús Pico was the last Governor of Alta California under Mexican rule.-Origins:...
became governor.
Despite the excessive artillery barrage (cannonballs are still occasionally found during excavations in the area) casualties in the battle were limited to one horse and one mule.