Fred Rogers on the Route of the Bear Flaggers to Sonoma, June 11 -14, 1846

From Fred B. Rogers Bear Flag Lieutenant (CHSQ 1951):

"The captured horses were taken to Fremont’s camp on the Bear River where Merritt’s party arrived on the morning of June 11, having traveled about 120 miles in two days. Merritt, with additional men bringing his party to twenty, left that afternoon to carry out the plan to take Sonoma.

"Since trouble with Sutter at New Helvetia was not feared, it was logical that Sonoma was made the next objective. The town had not been garrisoned for some time, but a few cannon, several hundred muskets, and some ammunition were located there. At Sonoma were Colonel Vallejo, a person of much influence north of the bay, and his brother Capt. Salvador Vallejo. Control of Sonoma would serve to protect the nearby foreigners and would afford a convenient base for further operations in the general area.

"To keep the march as secret as possible, it was necessary to avoid the usually traveled route to Sonoma; furthermore it was important to get information of the plan of action to the American settlers in Napa Valley. Crossing the Sacramento at Hardy’s, the party made a stop for supper at Gordon’s on Cache Creek. Merritt, who had hunted the country often, then led his men farther up Cache Creek, crossed Blue Ridge with a hard climb and even steeper descent into Berryessa Valley, and thence, via Elias Barnett’s place in Pope Valley, passed to the head of the Napa Valley near present day Calistoga. Scattered south from that vicinity toward Yount’s were habitations of several American settlers, Benjamin and Samuel Kelsey, John York, and John Grigsby, among others.

"While the party rested in the upper Napa Valley, messengers were sent out to warn the settlers. Those who had joined en route and those recruited at this time brought the strength of the party to about thirty-three. A final meeting, addressed by Semple, was held at Bale’s Mill. On the night of June 13-14, the group passed down the valley, crossed the intervening ridge, possibly by a route lying somewhat north of the present Napa-Sonoma road, and approached the sleeping pueblo of Sonoma at dawn."